13 August 1887 - The First World Championship

On 13 August 1887, Scotland's Hibernians FC and England's Preston North End met in a match billed by both clubs' football associations as the "Association Football Championship of the World decider." Hibs were chosen to participate as winners of the 1887 Scottish Cup. For some unknown reason, the English did not choose Aston Villa, who had won that year's FA Cup, but instead selected Preston North End, who had been eliminated from the FA Cup in the semifinals by West Brom.

On the day, Hibernians claimed the title of World Champion with goals from inside forward and captain James McGhee and half-back James McLaren. Preston's lone goal was scored by forward John Goodall. After that match, however, the clubs' fortunes reversed. Hibs began a slow decline as Celtic became the dominant Scottish team and, by 1891, the club was defunct (though they re-formed in 1892 as Hibernian, dropping the "s").

Preston North End, meanwhile, went undefeated in 1888-89, the Football League's first season, to claim the first Double in English football.