CATERHAM'S place in football folklore will be remembered this month.
A "boy wonder" with a coveted claim to fame in FA Cup history will be commemorated in the town at a special ceremony.
Historians, community leaders and descendants will gather to pay tribute to Jarvis Kenrick – who scored the first-ever goal in the FA Cup, aged only 19, in 1871.
He was the son of identically-named Jarvis Kenrick, the rector of Caterham.
They lived in the town from 1857 to 1874, at a time when many of the town's churches sprung up.
The rectory is now Cedar House, in the High Street, the home of Buxton construction firm.
Caterham on the Hill Parish Council has commissioned the unveiling of a plaque at his former home on Friday June 28 June at 1pm.
Mr Kenrick was an amazing all-rounder in his day.
As well as his football prowess, he also played one first class match for Surrey County Cricket Club and was secretary of the All England Croquet Association.
But his history-making moment came in November 1871 when he netted the opening goal in a 3-0 victory for Clapham Rovers over Upton Park.
Mr Kenrick scored two goals in the match, and subsequently won the FA Cup three years running with the Wanderers – an all-conquering side regarded as the Manchester United of their era.
He scored in two consecutive finals - the FA Cup Final in 1877, and again the following year, when he scored twice.
Parish council chairman Sarah Burningham who is co-organising the commemorative event, said: "Jarvis married and had nine daughters.
"We have attempted, with some success, to contact his descendants.
"His family lived for a time in 17th Century Pendell House in Bletchingley.
"Representatives of the various sports including players from both Clapham Rovers and The Wanderers, members of Surrey County Cricket along with some of Jarvis' descendants have been invited to take part in this event."
Jarvis Kenrick Browning, his great great grandson, is coming down from York to perform the unveiling. And Rev Duncan Swan, rector of St Mary's Church in Caterham, will bless it.
An exhibition of his life and times will be on show after the unveiling in the church hall.
Jarvis died in Sussex in 1949, aged 97.
