1878 in association football

The following are the association football events of the year 1878 throughout the world.

Events

 * October 14 - First ever floodlit football match takes place at Bramall Lane, Sheffield between teams chosen by the Sheffield Association and local clubs.

England

 * Ashton United F.C.
 * Burnham F.C.
 * Everton F.C.
 * Grimsby Town F.C.
 * Ipswich Town F.C.
 * Newton Heath L&YR F.C. (later to become Manchester United)
 * Matlock Town F.C.
 * West Bromwich Albion F.C.

Scotland

 * Airdrieonians F.C. (1878)
 * Arbroath F.C.

Births

 * 15 April – John May (d. 1933), Scotland international forward in five matches (1906–1909).
 * 16 April – Tip Foster (d. 1914), England international forward in five matches (1900–1902), scoring three goals; the only man to captain England at both football and cricket.
 * 12 June – Charles Thomson (d. 1936), Scotland international half-back in 21 matches (1904–1914), scoring four goals.
 * 8 July – Jimmy Quinn (d. 1945), Scotland international forward in eleven matches (1905–1912), scoring seven goals.
 * 12 November – Tom Jackson (d. 1916), Scotland international player in six matches (1904–1907).
 * 5 December – Arthur Marbles (d. 1964), English footballer.
 * 26 December – Alex Raisbeck (d. 1949), Scotland international full-back in eight matches (1900–1907).
 * 29 December – Sammy Day (d. 1950), England international forward in three matches (1906), scoring two goals.
 * unknown – Sandy MacFarlane (d. 1945), Scotland international forward in five matches (1904–1911).