Thanks to one of our readers, we've discovered the first goal scorer of the Football League in the Deceased Online database We were very excited to be contacted recently about James Kenyon Davenport, known as "Kenny", who lies buried at Heaton Cemetery in Gilnow Road, Bolton. Davenport was born on 23 March 1862 in Bolton. After playing for his local club, Gilnow Rangers, he moved to Bolton Wanderers in 1883. He remained there for nine seasons, during which time professional football was legalised in 1885. In order to professionalize the game further, the Football League was inaugurated with five fixtures on 8 September 1888. The League differed from today's Premiership with only twelve teams, but some of today's top teams, Aston Villa, Everton, Stoke and West Bromwich Albion, were all present. The others were Accrington, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Burnley, Derby County, Notts County, Preston North End and Wolverhampton Wanderers. It was while pla