Trivial Trivia - taking trivia to new levels

[AussieMick]

I wonder how many others feel guilty when composing these trivia questions ? My subconscious tells me I'm being a little cruel. At the same time I am trying to help ...

Yep, it was the soccer player I was thinking of ... he played for a club that is still quite successful in an English city. A city that had some connections with the Civil War. Have you cottoned on yet?

The aspidistra? You can only really get the connection through an internet search in connection with Ralph Semmes and that city.

Another connection Solingen, Germany. May help. Or may not.

(maybe I am assuming that you people have as much time on your hands as I have to do internet searches)