compete for any challenge cup or any prize of any description" the team originally only played friendly matches. An exception was later made for the Sheriff of London Charity Shield, for which they competed nine times between 1898 and 1907 (winning three), before the match was replaced in the calendar by the FA Charity Shield. The club would have been strong contenders for the era's honours had they entered major competitions — shortly after Blackburn Rovers beat Queen's Park in the 1884 FA Cup Final, the Corinthians beat Blackburn 8–1. In 1889, it was written that Corinthians was the only amateur club "which might be pitted against [inaugural Football League champions Preston North End] with any reasonable hope of success". In the 1904 Sheriff of London Charity Shield against Bury (who had beaten Derby County 6–0 in the 1903 FA Cup final), Corinthian won 10–3. Corinthian began competing in the FA Cup from the 1922–23 season. They also competed in the 1927 FA Charity Shield against FA Cup winners Cardiff City, losing 2-1 at Stamford Bridge. Honorary distinctions Among many others: Inspired five Brazilian São Paulo railway workers to found one of Brazil's largest and most successful professional teams, Sport Club Corinthians Paulista. Fielded the first Black player to play Association Football at international level, Andrew Watson Inflicted English side Manchester United's heaviest defeat, beating the Red Devils 11-3 in a friendly in Leyton, London in 1904. Awarded Sweden their first National Football title, named the Corinthian Bowl. Inspired Percy Ashley to name Manchester Corinthians LFC in 1949. Notable players Notable players who have played for Corinthian FC. include: Andrew Watson: the first Black player to play Association football at international level. C. B. Fry: sporting polymath who made 74 appearances for Corinthian FC, described by contemporaries as "...probably the most variously gifted Englishman of any age" R. C. Gosling: described by Sir Frederick Wall, the long-serving Secretary of the Football Association, as "the richest man who ever played football for England". Charles Aubrey Smith: a former Corinthian footballer and British actor, who has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, situated at 6327 Hollywood Blvd. Max Woosnam: the English sportsman referred to as the 'Greatest British sportsman' in recognition of his achievements. Graham Doggart: a leading goal scorer of Corinthian FC, who went on to appoint England's World Cup winning manager, Sir Alf Ramsey. Charles Bambridge: held the