Reg Birkett (28th March 1849 - 30th June 1898) was an international footballer who represented England 1 time scoring 0 goals. His only cap was against Scotland on 5th April 1879 at the age of 30. Birkett, born on 28th March 1849, in Bishopsgate, London, has a FA Legacy Number of 62 and played as a Goalkeeper for his country.
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Birkett attended Lancing College as a youth where he played for their first XI in 1866-67. He also represented Lancing Old Boys, Surrey and Clapham Rovers. He received a FA Cup runners-up medal in 1879 but bettered that the following year with a winner’s medal with Clapham Rovers. He was also capped for England at Rugby four times between 1871-1877.
According to James Holder's Sport's Great All-Rounders, Birkett "died in 1898 at the age of 49, following an accident at home; whilst suffering from diphtheria, he leapt from a window while being helped into his bed and fell 20 feet to his death - at the inquest, a verdict of suicide whilst delirious was returned." The Surrey Advertiser added "It was stated that Birkett was on Thursday [30th June 1898] delirious from diphtheria, and while being helped into his bed at his residence, Grangeside, Wimbledon he said to a nurse, “Oh, that’s it, is it?” and, putting his hands together, suddenly leapt through the window, as if diving, falling a distance of 20ft, into the area and smashing his skull.”
He worked in the City as a hide and skin broker.
Scotland (FR) on 5th April 1879 aged 30 years, 0 months, 8 days
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