1881 in association football

The following are the association football events of the year 1881 throughout the world.

France

 * FC Girondins de Bordeaux

England

 * Berwick Rangers F.C.
 * Leyton Orient F.C.
 * Southport F.C.
 * Swindon Town F.C.
 * Watford F.C.

Scotland

 * East Stirlingshire F.C.

Wales

 * Colwyn Bay F.C.

Births

 * 9 February – Jimmy Hay (d. 1940), Scotland international half-back in eleven matches (1905–1914).
 * 22 May – Colin Veitch (d. 1938), England international half-back in six matches (1906–1909).
 * 3 July – Horace Bailey (d. 1960), England international goalkeeper in five matches (1908).
 * 19 July – Stanley Harris (d. 1926), England international forward in six matches (1904–1906), scoring two goals.
 * 22 August – Harry Makepeace (d. 1952), England international half-back in four matches (1906–1912); also a cricket international.
 * 20 September – Alex Bennett (d. 1940), Scotland international forward in eleven matches (1904–1913).
 * 26 September – Albert Lindsay, English professional footballer (d. 1961)