Cornish miners introduced football to Mexico centuries ago

Cornish miners migrating to Mexico in the 1800s introduced football, leading to the creation of CF Pachuca, one of Mexico's oldest clubs.

Tifo honors Cornish roots A massive banner inside Estadio Hidalgo features a miner holding a pickaxe and a pastry with a distinct crimped edge, surrounded by two black flags with white crosses. The image is unmistakably Cornish to those familiar with southwest England. Supporters of CF Pachuca, recognized as Mexico's pioneering football club, are paying homage to their heritage. They celebrate how miners from Cornwall helped bring the sport to a nation now co-hosting the 2026 World Cup. ## Cornwall-Mexico mining link The connection between Hidalgo and Cornwall began in 1824 when Mexico's mining industry was collapsing after a decade-long struggle for independence from Spain. John Taylor, a Cornish mining engineer, saw potential in Mexico's mines and successfully revitalized struggling operations in Cornwall. He believed he could replicate his achievements in Real del Monte. This led to hundreds of Cornish workers traveling between their homeland and Hidalgo. ## Sport arrives with miners Along with mining expertise, Cornish migrants brought cultural traditions and sports. The first recorded sport played by Cornish miners in Hidalgo was cricket, not football. By the late 1850s, Cornish native and mining magnate Frank Rule established a cricket team in Pachuca. Dr Sharron Schwartz, an expert in Cornish mining migration, notes that football clubs emerged from these cricket teams. Many players participated in both sports. ## First football team forms The earliest documented football team in Pachuca appeared in 1892 when a local newspaper reported on a team reorganization due to a disagreement. The rift occurred between residents of Pachuca and those from Real del Monte, whom locals called 'the mountain men.' Schwartz humorously noted how typical this 'schism' was of Cornish culture. The teams were instructed to unite and strengthen their side. ## Club merger and rules A pivotal meeting in 1895 organized by Rule resulted in the merger of Pachuca Cricket Club, Pachuca Football Club, and Velasco Cricket Club into a single stronger organization. Rule donated land near his estate for games but stipulated no matches could be played on Sundays due to his Methodist beliefs. By 1902, other clubs had formed in Veracruz, including Orizaba, which disputes Pachuca's claim as Mexico's first football club. ## Early league and champions Several clubs, including Pachuca and Orizaba, formed the first official Mexican football league, the Liga Mexicana de Football Amateur Association, in the early 1900s. Orizaba won the inaugural league title in 1902, while Pachuca claimed championships in 1904-05. The league marked the beginning of organized football competition in Mexico. ## Women and pasties at matches Cornish women played a significant role in the football culture, frequently attending matches dressed in club colors. Dr Schwartz mentions the first recorded instance of pasties being eaten in Mexico occurred during a cricket match. These pastries were likely prepared by Cornish women. Their thick crusts served as handles for miners' dirty hands, and the pastry was durable enough to survive being dropped down mineshafts. ## Cultural exchange spreads The continuous movement of people between Hidalgo and Cornwall created a unique shared culture across thousands of miles. Dr Schwartz recalls hearing Spanish spoken as commonly as English in Cornish towns like Redruth and Camborne. Antony Martin, whose great uncle William Bray played for Pachuca in the early 1900s, shared stories of Mexican customs being brought back to England. ## Mexican influences in Cornwall Martin recalled his grandmother and great aunt's pride in their Cornish identity, despite spending their early lives in Mexico. The Bray siblings introduced Mexican customs to Cornwall, including eating bread with every meal and adding cayenne pepper to dishes. They also continued speaking Spanish throughout their lives. ## First Mexican player joins Pachuca welcomed its first Mexican player in 1908 when David Islas joined the team. He was invited by Alf Crowle, the son of a Cornish miner from St Blazey, who later became player-manager. Crowle broke ethnic and social barriers within the club. Dr Schwartz describes him as likely the most famous Cornish-Pachuca figure in football history. ## Revolution and club decline During the early 1920s, many Pachuca residents, including Crowle, relocated following the Mexican Revolution. This exodus led to a significant loss of players for the football club. Pachuca participated in their final amateur-era tournament in 1922 before the original club eventually folded. A new iteration emerged in 1950 but dissolved again before reforming in 1960. ## Club's modern success The reincarnated club has since achieved notable success, winning seven league titles and claiming the 2006 Copa Sudamericana. Eduardo Hernandez, a Pachuca fan, emphasizes the club's pride in its mining heritage. He states that fans are well aware of the Cornish founders who brought football to Mexico. The club's identity remains deeply tied to its origins. ## Mascot reflects mining past The club's nickname 'Los Tuzos' translates to 'the gophers,' referencing a burrowing rodent found in North and Central America. This name honors their mining roots. Hernandez notes the term is ingrained in local culture, seen in names like 'Tuzobus' for the team bus. The word 'tuzo' is ubiquitous throughout Pachuca. ## Pasties still part of culture Traditional Cornish pasties, known locally as pastes, are sold in Pachuca and Real del Monte. Shops in Real del Monte prominently display Cornish flags. Real del Monte hosts an annual International Pasty Festival, which started in 2009, alongside a dedicated pasty museum. These pasties retain Cornish elements but often include beef, vegetables, and chili. ## Future plans for Cornish ties Cornwall FA, representing the county in international football, aims to organize a match between Cornwall and Pachuca in Mexico to inspire local football development. Mexico will host the 2026 World Cup for the third time this summer. Jared Borgetti, Mexico's second all-time leading scorer and former Pachuca striker, expresses excitement about the tournament. ## World Cup excitement builds Borgetti highlights Mexico's reputation for vibrant and energetic fan support at World Cups. He believes hosting the tournament will amplify this energy. Mexico seeks to showcase its culture and passion to the world. Fans in both Cornwall and Hidalgo will likely enjoy the World Cup while eating pasties or pastes.