Coinciding with AC Milan’s 125th Anniversary celebrations, the Municipality of Milan has granted Herbert Kilpin, the Club’s founder, the honour of being laid to rest in the Famedio Crypt at the Monumental Cemetery of Milan, a place dedicated to illustrious, respected and distinguished persons in the history of the city of Milan.
The commemorative ceremony took place this morning and was attended by representatives from various institutions, including Giuseppe Sala, Mayor of Milan, and Gaia Romani, Councillor for Decentralisation, Neighbourhoods and Participation, General Civic Services. The Rossoneri club Chairman Paolo Scaroni also took part in the ceremony, as did representatives from the Rossoneri’s senior management and Helen Stirland, a descendant of the Club’s Founder.
Born in Nottingham in 1870, Herbert Kilpin moved to Italy in 1891 for work. Being a passionate footballer, he contributed significantly to the initial spread of the sport in the country. He arrived in Milan in 1898, and just a year later, together with Alfred Edwards and a group of friends, both Englishmen and Italians, founded the Rossoneri Football and Cricket Club, serving as its first coach, player, and captain, thus beginning the legendary story of the club.
Located at the front of the Monumental Cemetery of the city, the Famedio is intended to honour the memory of Milanese citizens, by birth or adoption, who have brought renown to the city and to the country thanks to their work and actions. In its Crypt, accessible from the Cemetery's entrance colonnade, are entombed many notable figures, such as Dario Fo, Giorgio Gaber, Enzo Jannacci, Alda Merini and Franca Rame. The Famedio is also the resting place of Giuseppe Meazza, former Rossoneri footballer after whom the Stadio San Siro, where the Rossoneri play their home matches, was named in 1980.
Giuseppe Sala, Mayor of the city of Milan, commented:
"Today, with the burial of Herbert Kilpin’s remains in the Famedio among the city's greats, the Rossoneri club reaffirms its affection for and pays tribute to one of the founding fathers of the Rossoneri and modern Italian football. Kilpin's story and this morning’s ceremony show that Milan is a city that has always welcomes and never forgets those who have done it proud in all areas on a national and international level, including sport."
Paolo Scaroni, Chairman of AC Milan, emphasised:
"Just days before the exact date of our 125th Anniversary, we want to celebrate the man who began our story: Herbert Kilpin, who wrote the first chapters of the Rossoneri legend, shaping the history of Italian and European football with it. I would like to express my gratitude to the city's institutions, starting with the Municipality of Milan, for granting our Founder the honour of being entombed in the Famedio Crypt at the Monumental Cemetery. This occasion reinforces the connection between the past, present, and future of Rossoneri and highlights the deep and valuable bond that unites us with our city."
Source: Acmilan.com
