   dr james richardson spensley (17 may 1867 â 10 november 1915) was an english doctor, footballer, manager, scout leader and medic from stoke newington, london. he is considered to be one of the "fathers of italian football", due to his association with genoa cfc and his contribution to the modern day variation of the game in italy. he is no relation of noted italian football correspondent, james richardson. ==biography== he was born in 1867 in the stoke newington district of london to william spensley and elizabeth alice richardson. although he was born and grew up in london, the spensley family were originally from the swaledale area in yorkshire. richardson spensley had the opportunity to travel far and wide as an adult. amongst the most keen interests which he had acquired whilst travelling were oriental religion, languages (he was versed in greek and sanskrit), boxing and football. in addition to working as a doctor, he spent some time as a correspondent for the british newspaper the daily mail. ===football in genoa=== richardson spensley arrived in genoa in 1896, initially for the purpose of curing english sailors on the coal ships. he joined genoa cricket & athletics club, a cricket and athletics club formed by british expatriates. he opened the footballing section for the club on 10 apri
1867_births 1915_deaths English_footballers Founders_of_association_football_institutions Genoa_C.F.C._managers Genoa_C.F.C._players People_from_Stoke_Newington Scouting_pioneers