14/12/2012

We are starting with the happy end: now he's a giant and honored in the Monumental Graveyard in Milan.
We are talking about the founder of A.C. Milan: Herbert Kilpin, an english man in Milan.
Kilpin died in poverty in 1916, aged 46 and no one had news about his greve. But an amateur historian, named Luigi La Rocca, tracked down Kilpin's grave in the Municipal Cemetery in Milan in the '90s, and in 1999 AC Milan created a new tombstone and he was reburied in the Monumental Graveyard in Milan, with the most important people of the city.

Who was Mr H.K.?

But Kilpin's story is just as significant in the development of an Italian side from humble beginnings to world beaters.
Kilpin was born in Nottingham on 28 January 1870 and grew up with nine brothers and sisters.
He was the son of a butcher and after leaving school he worked as a lace warehouse assistant in the city.
Kilpin was a keen footballer and played in defence and midfield for Notts Olympic and then for St. Andrews.
In 1891, Kilpin moved to Turin to work for Edoardo Bosio, an Italian-Swiss textile merchant with links to Nottingham lace manufacturer Thomas Adams.
In the same year Bosio founded Internazionale Torino, believed to be the first Italian football club.
Kilpin played for the team and in doing so became the first-ever Englishman to play football abroad.
In 1897 Kilpin travelled to Milan.
After a heavy drinking session in a Milanese tavern, very closed to Duomo Square (Fiaschetteria Toscana of Via Berchet), the homesick Kilpin and five friends decided to start a football team to remind them of home. Milan Cricket and Football Club!

A football team, a football dream 

So A.C. Milan was born and Kilpin became the club's first coach and captain, as well as the team's star player.
Kilpin also designed the team's famous kit, and he said: "We are a team of devils. Our colours are red as fire and black to invoke fear in our opponents"!
In 1901 the football team won their first league title in only their second season.
Kilpin only played 27 games and scored seven goals, but he is in the history of this incredible "club".
Kilpin was a particular player who played in every position.
There are some historical reference about Kilpin and a legendary botle of whisky in a hole behind the goal to use it when the opposition scored.
He won other two Serie A titles, in 1906 and 1907 and now he is celebrated also in San Siro, with a dedicated A.C. Milan Club.

Gigi Beltrame

14/12/2012