Francis Coulton (Quarter 3 1866 – 1929) was an English footballer who played in the Football League for Aston Villa. Described as a stylish full back, he was a key member of the Aston Villa League defence in the inaugural season of 1888-89 which only conceded 43 goals, the third lowest. He played in the opening match on 8 September 1888 at Dudley Road, Wolverhampton, the then home of Wolverhampton Wanderers. The match finished 1–1. Coulton played at full-back. Coulton only missed three League games and one FA Cup tie over the season as Aston Villa finished as runners-up. As a full-back he played in a defence that achieved one League clean-sheet and kept the opposition to one-League-goal-in-a-match on no less than on nine occasions. References 1862 births 1929 deaths Sportspeople from Walsall Association football defenders English footballers Walsall F.C. players Aston Villa F.C. players English Football League players FA Cup Final players