The First Years: The Twenties
After the demise of Leeds City, their supporters were determined to ensure the City would still have a football team. Within hours of the infamous Hotel Metropole auction, 1,000 crammed Salem Hall and sowed the seed for the birth of Leeds United.
Port Vale had taken over the fixtures of the defunct Leeds City for the rest of the 1919-20 season.
Many scenarios could have occurred, not least, the moving of Huddersfield Town from Leeds Road to Elland Road ‘lock, stock and barrel’, but Town supporters rallied to the cause and resisted the amalgamation. History will show that Town rose from the depth of the Second Division to become the dominant team in England during the 1920’s, including three consecutive championships. Former Leeds City Manager Herbert Chapman led that Town recovery, having taken over on Arthur Fairclough’s resignation, and was later to lay the foundations for Arsenal to repeat the same feat in the 1930’s. Ironically Arthur Fairclough (and J. Hilton Crowther) left Huddersfield to pilot the fledgling Leeds United, as they contested life in the Midland League.
Fairclough, Dick Ray, Dick Murrell and Albert Stead recruited and trained the new players, while Hilton Crowther, provided the financial backing and lobbied for United’s application for Football League Membership. Crowther was successful in his efforts, while on the playing side an 18 year-old Ernie Hart had been unearthed.
In those early seasons there was little or no photos of match action and here, thanks to Neil Roche, are three such records of action
17th November 1919: v Yorkshire Amateurs: United's first-ever fixture: Played at Elland Road and United won 5-2(Courtesy Neil Roche)
24th November 1919: v Barnsley: United's First Competition game (in the Midland League) which was played at Elland Road and finished 0-0(Courtesy Neil Roche)
3rd April 1920: Friendly game v Bradford City Reserves at Elland Road that United won 1-0(Courtesy Neil Roche)
The first team photograph that has been located was from the Sheffield Green'Un of Saturday 20th December 1919 (Courtesy Neil Roche) and is reproduced below in its entirety and unedited in its original form.
From other information to hand it would appear that this was the team that took the field on 13th December 1919 and that "Jagger" was in fact George Birds and "Atha" was "A.N.Other/A.Newman" who it later transpired was John Tate. Conversely Harold, or his brother Henry, Jagger played left-back in the local Leagues and may have played for Leeds United in that season, but no association with Atha is known.
Back Row: Mr H. Meek and Mr N.D. Booth (Honorary Secretaries).
Middle Row: A. Steel (Trainer), George Birds, Unknown (Committee), E. Rodgers, Elija Rounds, Unknown (Committee), John William Parsons, John Tate, Herbert Dodsworth and Mr R.E.H. Ramsden (Committee).
Front Row: George Mason, Matt Ellson, George Moiser, Ernest Batley, Bernard G. Williams.
Leeds United finished twelfth of eighteen clubs in the Midland League. Leeds Stats: Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers and Teamsheets
| 1920-21: | Leeds Stats: Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers and Teamsheets Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers Football League Tables for the Season |
Having secured their election to the Second Division, United now had to assemble a team good enough to compete in it. Most of the acquisitions were for little or nothing.
The team was built around United’s first captain, Jim Baker, whose brother Alf played for Arsenal and England, while younger brother Aaron would later join him fleetingly at Elland Road.
Ironically their first game was at Port Vale on 28th August 1920 and a crowd of 15,000 saw the home team victorious 2-0. Sporting their new strip of Blue and White Stripes with White Shorts, the Leeds team was: Down, Duffield, Tillotson, Musgrove, Baker, Walton; Mason, Goldthorpe, Thompson, Lyons, Best.
Four days later, on 2nd September 1920, Jim Baker led his side out against South Shields for United’s first Football League game at Elland Road. The team showed two changes Ellson and Armitage replacing Goldthorpe and Thompson. It appears that it was Len Armitage who scored United’s first-ever goal (although one book claims it to be Jack Lyon from an Armitage cross!), but in front of a 16,958 (£1,016 takings) the visitors spoiled the party by scoring two.
Despite the disappointment, 15,000 turned up on Saturday, 4th September to witness United’s first League victory. Jimmy Frew debuted at left back in place of Tillotson and United tasted the sweetness of victory as Port Vale was put to the sword. Ellson scored a brace and Best the other, in an emphatic 3-1 win.
United had to be content with 14th position, with 38 points. Jim Baker, Billy Down and Bert Duffield were ever-present, while Jimmy Walton only missed one game. Robert Thompson led the goal-scorers with 11, but as his goals dried up, Fairclough forked out £1,750 for Tommy Howarth from Bristol City. In United’s last nine games he was the only scorer and finished with 6 goals in only 11 appearances. Ivan Sharpe and later Tommy Lamph, became the first and only former Leeds City players to play for United.
While never playing a League game for United, Eugene O’Doherty is credited with scoring the first ever hat-trick for United, when he appeared for some under-strength United teams in the qualifying rounds of the FA Cup against mediocre opposition. United had to play eight qualifying rounds to get to the First Round proper of the FA Cup. These games clashed with Second Division games. After a 5-2 United victory over Boothtown, a team from the Halifax district, next opponents Leeds Steelworks forfeited home advantage and the FA allowed United to field their second team, provided they then pulled out of the competition after the game! A crowd of 3,000 saw a 7-0 victory, with Walter Butler getting a hat-trick. Subsequently Robert Thompson obtained United’s first League hat-trick in a 3-0 victory over Notts County.
| 1921-22: | Leeds Stats: Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers and Teamsheets Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers Football League Tables for the Season |
United consolidated in 1921-22 finishing 8th, with 45 points from their 42 matches.
With the emergence of Ernie Hart as a reliable stopper, “T’Owd War ‘oss” Jim Baker was able to move to half back. Fairclough strengthened his team with experienced keeper Fred Whalley from Grimsby Town, half-back Harry Sherwin from Sunderland and veteran inside-forward Jim Moore from Southampton. Robert Thompson, Robert Musgrove, Jerry Best and Jack Lyon took the exit door.
After a flying start of five victories and two draws from their first seven fixtures, the next twelve produced only three wins and three draws. The goals again dried up and Jack Swan was bought from Huddersfield Town. Bill Poyntz, a close season signing as a reserve inside-forward from Llanelli, wrote himself into the history books with a wedding day hat-trick against Leicester City to compensate for the more ignominious achievement of being the first-ever player to be sent off, the previous week at Bury!
Tommy Howarth led the scorers with 13. He and Jack Swan (10) being the only players to manage double figures. Swan did also get his name on the scoresheet in United’s 2-1 Round 1 defeat at Swindon Town in the FA Cup.
| 1922-23: | Leeds Stats: Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers and Teamsheets Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers Football League Tables for the Season |
The season saw a further improvement to 7th in 1922-23 with 47 points.
Left-winger Joe Harris was a big summer signing from Bristol City and Jim Moore left for Brighton, but, although points were being accumulated, there was a dearth of goals. This was rectified by the purchase of the classy Percy Whipp from Sunderland for £750, who immediately repaid the faith placed in him with a debut hat-trick and finished as leading goal-scorer with 15 goals.
Fairclough was building a team capable of pushing for promotion. He had two reliable keepers in Fred Whalley and Billy Down. Fred Duffield, Ernie Hart and Captain Jim Baker were models of consistency in defence and ‘The Arch General’ Percy Whipp added a new dimension to the strike force.
In the FA Cup United survived the First Round with a 3-1 replay victory over Portsmouth at Elland Road, after holding them 0-0 at Fratton Park, but fell 3-1 in the Second Round at Bolton Wanderers.
| 1923-24: | Leeds Stats: Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers and Teamsheets Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers Football League Tables for the Season |
By 1923-24 United had brought together a blend of players good enough to win the Second Division Title with 54 points. Assistant Manager Dick Ray had moved on to Doncaster Rovers and was replaced by Bill Norman, who had managed Blackpool. In attack, United now had the formidable trio of Jack Swan, Percy Whipp and Joe Richmond, with winger Joe Harris being their main supplier. However, the Championship of the Second Division was built on the strong defence, with Baker and Hart prominent. This was testified by the conceding of only 35 goals. A feat only matched by runners-up Bury.
United made a poor start to the season with one lone victory in their first six games, but only two defeats in a 17-match sequence which included seven successive wins put United on a roll, with Billy Down keeping six consecutive clean sheets.
Eventually they had the most victories (21) and the least defeats (9) to head the League with three points to spare.
In the FA Cup, Stoke City was vanquished 1-0 at Elland Road in the First Round. West Ham United also succumbed by the same score after a 1-1 away draw but the Third Round saw a 3-0 defeat at Aston Villa.
Jack Swan (18) led the scorers with Percy Whipp (11) and the emerging Joe Richmond (15) also contributing well.
| 1924-25: | Leeds Stats: Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers and Teamsheets Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers Football League Tables for the Season |
Leeds United had been run on a shoe-string and not unsurprisingly was unable to make any signings of note to re-enforce their team for the rigours of the elite Division One. There were several incoming players but mainly for the reserve team, while Jimmy Frew departed. Jimmy would be best remembered for owning a Leeds Sports Outfitters, which became the official suppliers to Leeds United for many years.
United faced Sunderland at Elland Road for their first game in
Division One, before a crowd of 33,722. The teams were Leeds United:
Billy Down, Bert Duffield, Bill Menzies, Harry Sherwin, Ernie Hart, Jim
Baker, Alan Noble, Percy Whipp, Joe Richmond, Jack Swan, Joe Harris.
Sunderland: Albert McInroy, Warney Cresswell, Ernie England, Billy
Clunas, Charlie Parker, Arthur Andrews, Billy Grimshaw, Charles Buchan,
John Paterson, Arthur Hawes, Billy Ellis. Sunderland had finished third
in the previous season and contained several players who were the top
players of the day, Warney Cresswell and Charles Buchan being the most
famous household names. Their goalkeeper Albert McInroy, an England
International and FA Cup winner, was later to play for Leeds. To hold
them to a draw was no mean feat, and at the end of the month the visit
of Champions and local rivals, Huddersfield Town, saw a new record
crowd of 41,800 appreciate the 1-1 draw.
The team’s inconsistency was highlighted by a 6-1 thrashing at Arsenal, followed five days later by a spectacular 6-0 humbling of Aston Villa at Elland Road. Suprisingly, Arsenal finished a couple of places below United while Villa were several places above. However, it highlighted the lack of success on the road, with only two victories, while only four games were lost at Elland Road. The Villa victory was followed by only one win in thirteen games. This prompted the production of the cheque book in March, and Willis Edwards was bought from Chesterfield, Tom Jennings from Raith Rovers and Russell Wainscoat from Middlesbrough. All were to make huge contributions to the United cause, both short-term and long-term. All three played their part in winning three of the final five games. So to finish 18th with 34 points was satisfactory.
Swan (11) and Whipp (10) led the scores with no significant contributions from others and, in the FA Cup, United made their usual early exit in the First Round, 3-0 at Liverpool.
| 1925-26: | Leeds Stats: Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers and Teamsheets Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers Football League Tables for the Season |
Despite being strengthened by new men, only a 4-1 win in the final match for 1925-26 ensured Leeds’ safety, as they limped into 19th place with 36 points.
The season saw United wave goodbye to several old stalwarts, Jim Baker, Bert Duffield, Jack Swan and Joe Harris. Jim Baker later became a Director of Leeds United. He also was mine host at the Smyths Arms in Geldard Road and later the Mexborough in Moortown.
Right-Winger Bobby Turnbull was signed from Bradford Park Avenue. An England International, he was a class act but was sometimes let down by inconsistency. The change in the offside law saw him as United’s trump card with his dazzling footwork and ability to cross at speed, and the games rained goals. Tom Jennings cashed in with a new United goal-scoring record of 26 league goals.
The FA Cup saw another First Round exit after a 5-1 thrashing at Middlesbrough.
| 1926-27: | Leeds Stats: Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers and Teamsheets Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers Football League Tables for the Season |
It proved third time unlucky for United in 1926-27, although they lost their top division status only after a remarkable season.
Tom Jennings ran riot with 35 goals of the overall team tally of 69, and he broke his own club goal-scoring record. Yet they were relegated with only 30 points. It must be said, however, that goals were plentiful around this time as defences were still coming to terms with the new off-side law introduced the previous season. Jennings scored a remarkable nineteen goals in only nine games, including three consecutive hat-tricks. Unfortunately the shaky defence had leaked 88 goals and 23 of the 42 matches had been lost. United duly accompanied wooden-spooners West Bromwich Albion in relegation to the Second Division.
Despite the injection of new faces, locals Harry Roberts and George Reed, and the purchase of winger Tom Mitchell from Newcastle for £785, the slide could not be stopped. After a shocking run from November to April, when only one win was registered in 18 games, the outcome was inevitable. Even the big money signing of Scottish International John White from Hearts for a new record £5,600 failed to avert it.
The visit of Newcastle United in the Christmas fixture saw a new crowd record of 48,490 established. There was even progress in the FA Cup with a 3-1 victory over Sunderland at home in the 3rd Round. A crowd of 42,694 was on hand to witness the goal-less draw at home to Bolton Wanderers in the 4th Round, but their hopes were dashed as they were handed a 3-0 defeat in the replay.
Arthur Fairclough and Bill Norman accepted responsibility for the failure and resigned. They had left United with a fine nucleus of players and in Jennings, White, Turnbull Edwards and Hart they possessed some of the finest footballers in the country.
| 1927-28: | Leeds Stats: Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers and Teamsheets Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers Football League Tables for the Season |
Pleasingly, United returned to Division One, at the first attempt. Dick Ray had taken over as manager from Arthur Fairclough and again the emphasis was on attack. He allowed the 30 year old Percy Whipp to go to Clapton Orient, Billy Jackson to depart for West Ham United, while Jock Thom moved to Bristol Rovers for £175 and reserves Bobby Mason and Jim Kirkpatrick were both on the move with Mason also joining Bristol Rovers, while Kirkpatrick moved to Watford. His first act as manager was to sign Charlie Keetley, who soon showed his scoring potential with seven goals in a reserve game.
Jennings and Russell Wainscoat were joined up front by Jock White, while young Charlie Keetley proved an able deputy for Jennings. All four hit double figures as United set another club record with 98 League goals. White and Jennings (in only 26 games) each netted 21 times, while Keetley (in only 16 games) and Wainscoat both notched 18.
In a remarkable late season run the defence too played its part keeping nine successive clean sheets. Jimmy Potts was superb in goal, Skipper Tom Townsley and George Reed were ever-presents, and Willis Edwards was still first choice for England despite playing in the Second Division. Promotion was sealed on 21st April, with a 3-2 victory at Stamford Bridge, in front of 47,562 fans.
With two games to go they were in with a shout for the championship. Unfortunately Manchester City again proved their nemesis, winning 1-0 at Elland Road, in front of a crowd of 48,470. Fifth-placed Stoke City gained vengeance for a 5-1 drubbing at Elland Road by defeating United by the same score in the final fixture.
United finished runners-up, with 57 points, to Manchester City, who also compounded Leeds’ atrocious FA Cup record by beating them in that season’s Third Round, in front of the biggest Elland Road crowd of the season, 50,473, a new attendance record.
The regulars were Jimmy Potts, Tom Townsley, Bill Menzies, Willis Edwards, Ernie Hart, George Reed, Bobby Turnbull, John White, Tom Jennings/Charlie Keetley, Russell Wainscoat, Tom Mitchell.
Back in Division One, United were able to rely on the same formation which had gained promotion and reached respectability despite a late season slump, when they picked up only one point from a possible 12. They finished 13th with 41 points.
The prolific Charlie Keetley kicked off the season with a first game hat-trick in a 4-1 thrashing of Aston Villa and top-scored with 20, as his form kept Tom Jennings in the reserves. He was well supported by Wainscoat (18), while Jennings and White both weighed in with 9.
Willis Edwards captained England and he was joined by team-mate Ernie Hart for the game against Wales, while Russell Wainscoat also received the call against Scotland.
Tom Cochrane emerged as a player for the future and George Milburn, the first of the Elland Road Milburn Dynasty, was given his first games. His elder brother Jack joined soon after, and brother-in-law Jimmy Potts made it a real family affair. Younger brother Jim joined the ranks in the mid-thirties. A fourth brother, Stan, was also an excellent full-back with Chesterfield and Leicester City, while Cousin Jack was the legendary ‘Wor Jackie’ of Newcastle United and England fame. Of course, Leeds Legend ‘Big Jack’ and his brother, and fellow World Cup Winner, Bobby Charlton, were nephews of the Milburn Brothers.
In the FA Cup, after sharing four goals at Exeter City, United breezed through the replay 5-1 only to be brought back to earth at Leeds Road where Huddersfield Town scored three without reply.
| 1929-30: | Leeds Stats: Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers and Teamsheets Season Statistics: Games, Results, Appearances, Goalscorers Football League Tables for the Season |
In 1929-30 Ray’s men finished fifth, with 46 points. It was the clubs best position achieved until the Revie days, thanks to a major improvement in defence where the experienced Edwards and Hart had been joined by full-back Jack Milburn. There was now genuine belief in the United camp that they could mount a serious title challenge.
United were off to a flying start which produced 9 wins, two draws and only two defeats, including a run of seven successive victories. Such was their success that Edwards and Hart continued to be picked for England and in the International against Ireland the opposition included another Leeds player, Harry Duggan, a talented right winger who was being kept out of the first team by the sparkling Bobby Turnbull.
Wainscoat led the scorers with 15 in the league and a further 3 in the Cup, closely followed by Jennings with 14 in the league and 3 in the Cup. There was a quick burst of 6 goals in 9 games by Dave Mangnall, before Huddersfield Town gave £3,000 to take him to future stardom. He scored a record 42 for Town in the 1931-32 season. Keetley was ruled out through illness for most of the season but was still able to net 10 goals from his 9 appearances, while Bobby Turnbull continued to supply the crosses for the forwards, he also managed 9 goals in the league and another in the Cup.
Thoughts of FA Cup success was high as United thrashed Crystal Palace 8-1 in the Third Round but crashed, as usual, with a 4-1 defeat at West Ham United in the Fourth Round. Elland Road did sample the later stages of the Cup, when it staged the Semi-final between Arsenal and Hull City. The 2-2 draw featured former Leeds reserve Jack Lambert at centre-forward for the Gunners and the same month Leeds signed the future ‘Iron Man’ to similarly feature for both clubs in the next decade or more, Wilf Copping.
Photographs of the Era:
Teams:
1920-21(Courtesy Paul Gregson)
Back Row: Jim Baker, Dick Murrell (Trainer), Ernie Hart, Billy Down, Mark Barker (Director), Ralph Rodgerson, J. Hilton-Crowther (President), Jimmy Walton.
Front Row: George Mason, Bert Duffield, Tommy Howarth, Merton Ellson, Basil Wood, Jimmy Frew.
1920-21
Back Row: Jim Baker, Dick Murrell (Trainer), Ernie Hart, Billy Down, Mark Barker (Director), Ralph Rodgerson, J. Hilton-Crowther (President), Jimmy Walton.
Front Row: George Mason, Bert Duffield, Tommy Howarth, Merton Ellson, Basil Wood, Jimmy Frew.
1920-21
Back Row: Mark Barker (Director), J. Hilton Crowther (President), Bert Duffield, George F. Cooper, Ernie Hart, Brown, Harold Jacklin, Billy Down, Dick Coope, Jimmy Walton, Jeffries, Albert Stead (Trainer), Arthur Fairclough (Manager), Dick Murrell (Trainer).
Middle Row: Jimmy Frew, Spencer, Jack Lyon, Merton Ellson, Robert Thompson, George Stuart, Ernie Goldthorpe, Reynolds.
Front Row: Len Armitage, George Mason, Jim Baker, Arthur Tillotson, Robert Musgrove, Jock McGee, Jerry Best.
1920-21
Back Row: Bert Duffield, Arthur Tillotson, Billy Down, Jack Lyon, Merton Ellson.
Middle Row: Jerry Best, Jim Baker, Jimmy Walton, Robert Musgrove.
Front Row: George Mason, Len Armitage.
1920-21
Back Row: George Mason, Bert Duffield, Tommy Howarth, Billy Down, Jimmy Frew, Merton Ellson.
Front Row: Tommy Lamph, Robert Musgrove, Jim Baker, Jimmy Walton, Basil Wood.
1922-23
Back Row: Bert Duffield, Ernie Hart, Jimmy Frew, Fred Whalley, Tom Gascoigne, Joe Harris.
Front Row: George Mason, Jimmy Walton, Jim Baker, Sam Powell, Len Armitage.
1922-23(Courtesy Paul Gregson)
Back Row: Joe Potts, Alan Noble, Fred Whalley, Richard G. Thornton, Billy Down, William Robson, Unknown (Director).
Back Middle Row: Mark Barker (Director), Alan Ure (Assistant Trainer), Bill Norman (Assistant Manager), Jimmy Frew, Bert Duffield, Tom Bell, Bill Menzies, Len Smith, Jimmy Walton, Alf Dark, Arthur Fairclough (Secretary-Manager), Dick Murrell (Trainer).
Lower Middle Row: Tom Gascoigne, Harry Sherwin, Bobby Mason, Jim Baker, Ernie Hart, Wallace Clark, Jack Swan, J. Hilton Crowther (Chairman).
Front Row: Walter A. Coates, George Mason, Arthur Gordon, Bill Poyntz, Len Armitage, Joe Harris, Sam Powell, Tommy Howarth, Jeremy Best.
1922-23(Courtesy Brian Townsley of http://homepages.tesco.net/~townsleyb/TownsFH/index.htm)
Back Row: Joe Potts, Alan Noble, Fred Whalley, Richard G. Thornton, Billy Down, William Robson, Unknown (Director).
Back Middle Row: Mark Barker (Director), Alan Ure (Assistant Trainer), Bill Norman (Assistant Manager), Jimmy Frew, Bert Duffield, Tom Bell, Bill Menzies, Len Smith, Jimmy Walton, Alf Dark, Arthur Fairclough (Secretary-Manager), Dick Murrell (Trainer).
Lower Middle Row: Tom Gascoigne, Harry Sherwin, Bobby Mason, Jim Baker, Ernie Hart, Wallace Clark, Jack Swan, J. Hilton Crowther (Chairman).
Front Row: Walter A. Coates, George Mason, Arthur Gordon, Bill Poyntz, Len Armitage, Joe Harris, Sam Powell, Tommy Howarth, Jeremy Best.
1923-24
Back Row: Harry Sherwin, Arthur Fairclough(Manager), Bert Duffield, Dick Murrell (Trainer), Billy Down, John Armand, Bill Menzies, Bill Norman (Assistant Manager).
Front Row: Walter Coates, Percy Whipp, Joe Richmond, Jim Baker, Jack Swan, Joe Harris, Ernie Hart.
1923-24 (Courtesy of Mark Ledgard)
Back Row: Harry Sherwin, Arthur Fairclough(Manager), Bert Duffield, Dick Murrell (Trainer), Billy Down, John Armand, Bill Menzies, Bill Norman (Assistant Manager).
Front Row: Walter Coates, Percy Whipp, Joe Richmond, Jim Baker, Jack Swan, Joe Harris, Ernie Hart.
1923-24 (Courtesy Brian Townsley of http://homepages.tesco.net/~townsleyb/TownsFH/index.htm)
Back Row: Bill Norman (Assistant Manager), Bert Duffield, Billy Down, George Speak, Arthur Fairclough (Secretary-Manager), J. Hilton Crowther (Chairman).
Middle Row: Walter A. Coates, Percy Whipp, Joe Richmond, Jack Swan, Joe Harris.
Front Row: Harry Sherwin, Jim W. Baker, Ernie Hart.
1923-24 (Courtesy of Paul Gregson)
Back Row: Bill Norman (Assistant Manager), Bert Duffield, Billy Down, George Speak, Arthur Fairclough (Secretary-Manager), J. Hilton Crowther (Chairman).
Middle Row: Walter A. Coates, Percy Whipp, Joe Richmond, Jack Swan, Joe Harris.
Front Row: Harry Sherwin, Jim W. Baker, Ernie Hart.
1923-24
Back Row: Dick Murrell (Trainer), Tom Bell, Walter A. Coates, William Robson, John E. Armand, Bill J. Menzies, J.J. Flood, A. Gordon, Alan Noble, Bert Duffield, Allan Ure (Assistant Trainer).
Back Middle Row: Len H. Baker, Jimmy Frew, Len Smith, Ernie Hart, M.J. Morris, Albert Bell, Jack Swan, Aaron Baker, Thomas C. Gascoigne, Joe Harris.
Lower Middle Row: Fred H.Whalley, Bill Johnson, Harry Sherwin, Bill I. Poyntz, Bill Norman (Assistant Manager), J. Hilton Crowther (Chairman), Arthur Fairclough (Secretary-Manager), Joe Richmond, Sam Powell.
Front Row: Bob Fullam, Billy Down, Jack Lambert, Bobby Mason, Jim W. Baker, J.Allen, Percy Whipp, George Speak.
1923-24
Back Row: Dick Murrell (Trainer), Tom Bell, Walter A. Coates, William Robson, John E. Armand, Bill J. Menzies, J.J. Flood, A. Gordon, Alan Noble, Bert Duffield, Allan Ure (Assistant Trainer).
Back Middle Row: Len H. Baker, Jimmy Frew, Len Smith, Ernie Hart, M.J. Morris, Albert Bell, Jack Swan, Aaron Baker, Thomas C. Gascoigne, Joe Harris.
Lower Middle Row: Fred H.Whalley, Bill Johnson, Harry Sherwin, Bill I. Poyntz, Bill Norman (Assistant Manager), J. Hilton Crowther (Chairman), Arthur Fairclough (Secretary-Manager), Joe Richmond, Sam Powell.
Front Row: Bob Fullam, Billy Down, Jack Lambert, Bobby Mason, Jim W. Baker, J.Allen, Percy Whipp, George Speak.
1923-24: Forward Line
Alan Noble, John Armand, Sam Powell, Jack Swan, Joe Harris
1924-25
Back Row: Joe Richmond, Len Smith, Jack Swan, Joe Harris, Ernie Hart, Percy Whipp.
Front Row: Billy Moore, Bill Menzies, Jim Baker, Bert Duffield, Cuthbert Robson.
1924-25
Back Row: Joe Richmond, Len Smith, Jack Swan, Joe Harris, Ernie Hart, Percy Whipp.
Front Row: Billy Moore, Bill Menzies, Jim Baker, Bert Duffield, Cuthbert Robson.
1924-25
Back Row: Josh Atkinson, Dick Murrell (Trainer), George Speak, Dave Russell, Bill Menzies, Valentine Riley, Ernie Hart.
Front Row: Joe Harris, Sam Powell, Jim Baker, Fred Graver, Percy Whipp, Alan Noble.
1924-25(Courtesy of Paul Gregson)
Back Row: Josh Atkinson, Dick Murrell (Trainer), George Speak, Dave Russell, Bill Menzies, Valentine Riley, Ernie Hart.
Front Row: Joe Harris, Sam Powell, Jim Baker, Fred Graver, Percy Whipp, Alan Noble.
1925-26 (Courtesy Brian Townsley of http://homepages.tesco.net/~townsleyb/TownsFH/index.htm)
Back Row: Harry Duggan, Bert Duffield, Bill J. Menzies, Harry Roberts, David P. Russell, Bill Johnson, Richard G. Thornton, C. Wootton, Allen, Jim Kirkpatrick, John Fell.
Middle Row: Allan Ure (Assistant Trainer), Cuthbert Robson, Aaron Baker, Len Smith, George Reed, Jim W. Baker, Josh Atkinson, Willis Edwards, Ernie Hart, Bobby Mason, Unknown, Arthur Campey (Trainer).
Front Row: Bobby Turnbull, Percy Whipp, John E. Armand, Tom Jennings, Frank Mears, Russell Wainscoat, Valentine Riley, Joe Richmond, Jack Thom, Jack Swan, Joe Harris, Billy Jackson.
1925-26 (Courtesy of Paul Gregson)
Back Row: Harry Duggan, Bert Duffield, Bill J. Menzies, Harry Roberts, David P. Russell, Bill Johnson, Richard G. Thornton, C. Wootton, Allen, Jim Kirkpatrick, John Fell.
Middle Row: Allan Ure (Assistant Trainer), Cuthbert Robson, Aaron Baker, Len Smith, George Reed, Jim W. Baker, Josh Atkinson, Willis Edwards, Ernie Hart, Bobby Mason, Unknown, Arthur Campey (Trainer).
Front Row: Bobby Turnbull, Percy Whipp, John E. Armand, Tom Jennings, Frank Mears, Russell Wainscoat, Valentine Riley, Joe Richmond, Jack Thom, Jack Swan, Joe Harris, Billy Jackson.
1926-27 (Courtesy of Derek Elmore and Brian Townsley of http://homepages.tesco.net/~townsleyb/TownsFH/index.htm)
Top Row: Richard G. Thornton, J. Hill, Jack Thom.
Back Row: David Robinson, Valentine Riley, Harry Roberts, Bill Johnson, Jim Kirkpatrick, C. Wootton, Harry Duggan, George Reed.
Middle Row: John White, Aaron Baker, Willis Edwards, Tom Townsley, Jimmy Allan, Jimmy Potts, Bill Menzies, Ernie Hart, Josh Atkinson, J. Coulthard.
Front Row: J. Young, Frank Mears, Albert Sissons, Bobby Turnbull, Percy Whipp, Bobby Mason, Tom Jennings, Russell Wainscoat, John Armand, Billy Jackson, John Fell.
1926-27 (Courtesy of Paul Gregson)
Top Row: Richard G. Thornton, J. Hill, Jack Thom.
Back Row: David Robinson, Valentine Riley, Harry Roberts, Bill Johnson, Jim Kirkpatrick, C. Wootton, Harry Duggan, George Reed.
Middle Row: John White, Aaron Baker, Willis Edwards, Tom Townsley, Jimmy Allan, Jimmy Potts, Bill Menzies, Ernie Hart, Josh Atkinson, J. Coulthard.
Front Row: J. Young, Frank Mears, Albert Sissons, Bobby Turnbull, Percy Whipp, Bobby Mason, Tom Jennings, Russell Wainscoat, John Armand, Billy Jackson, John Fell.
1927-28(Courtesy Brian Townsley of http://homepages.tesco.net/~townsleyb/TownsFH/index.htm)
Back Row: John Armand, Willis Edwards, Tom Townsley, Jimmy Potts, Bill Menzies, George Reed, Allan Ure (Assistant Trainer).
Front Row: Bobby Turnbull, John White, Charlie Keetley, Russell Wainscoat, Tom Mitchell, Ernie Hart.
1927-28(Courtesy of Paul Gregson)
Back Row: John Armand, Willis Edwards, Tom Townsley, Jimmy Potts, Bill Menzies, George Reed, Allan Ure (Assistant Trainer).
Front Row: Bobby Turnbull, John White, Charlie Keetley, Russell Wainscoat, Tom Mitchell, Ernie Hart.
1927-28
Back Row: John Armand, Willis Edwards, Tom Townsley, Jimmy Potts, Bill Menzies, George Reed, Tom Jennings.
Front Row: Bobby Turnbull, John White, Charlie Keetley, Russell Wainscoat, Tom Mitchell, Ernie Hart.
1928-29(Courtesy Mark Ledgard)
Back Row: Unknown 1, Unknown 2, Unknown 3, Unknown 4, Bill Johnson, Unknown 5, George Milburn, Unknown 6, Unknown 7.
Back Middle Row: Tom Cochrane, Unknown 8, John White, Tom Townsley, George Reed, Fred Hart, Alex Stacey, Unknown 9, Unknown 10, James Wilson.
Lower Middle Row: Arthur Campey (Trainer), Willis Edwards, Bobby Turnbull, Tom Jennings, Charlie Keetley, Russell Wainscoat, Tom Mitchell, John Armand, Unknown 11 (Assistant Trainer).
Front Row: Unknown 12, Harry Roberts, Bill Menzies, Jimmy Potts, Ernie Hart, Joe Firth, Harry Duggan.
1928-29(Courtesy Mark Ledgard)
Back Row: Willis Edwards, John White, Tom Townsley, Jimmy Potts, George Reed, Bill Menzies, Ernie Hart.
Front Row:Bobby Turnbull, Tom Jennings, Charlie Keetley, Russell Wainscoat, Tom Mitchell.
1929-30
Back Row: Arthur Campey (Trainer), Tom Jennings, Ernie Hart, Bill Johnson, Jack Milburn, George Reed.
Front Row: John White, Bobby Turnbull, Willis Edwards, Harry Roberts, Tom Mitchell, Russell Wainscoat.
1929-30
Back Row: Dick Ray (Manager), George Reed, Ernie Hart, Jimmy Potts, George Milburn, George Wilson, Tom Jennings, Arthur Campey (Trainer).
Front Row: Bobby Turnbull, John White, Willis Edwards, Harry Roberts, Russell Wainscoat, Tom Mitchell.
1929-30(Courtesy og Paul Gregson)
Back Row: Dick Ray (Manager), George Reed, Ernie Hart, Jimmy Potts, George Milburn, George Wilson, Tom Jennings, Arthur Campey (Trainer).
Front Row: Bobby Turnbull, John White, Willis Edwards, Harry Roberts, Russell Wainscoat, Tom Mitchell.
1929-30
Back Row: John White, Russell Wainscoat, Bobby Turnbull, George Reed, Eric Longden, Jimmy Potts, Jack Milburn, Arthur Campey (Trainer).
Front Row: Tom Jennings, Harry Roberts, Willis Edwards, Ernie Hart, Tom Mitchell.
Players/Managers:
Arthur Fairclough (Manager), Dick Ray (Manager), Jimmy Allan , Jack Allen , Jack Armand , Len Armitage , Josh Atkinson , Aaron Baker , Jim Baker , Len Baker , Albert Bell , Tom Bell , Jerry Best , Billy Boardman , John Brock , Teddy Buck , Walter Butler , Wilf Chadwick , Jimmy Clark , Wally Clark , Walter Coates , Tom Cochrane , Dick Coope , George Cooper , Tom Coutts , Alf Dark , Billy Down , Bert Duffield , Harry Duggan , Tom Duxbury , Willis Edwards , Matt Ellson , Jackie Fell , Joe Firth , Jimmy Frew , Bob Fullam , Billy Furness , Tom Gascoigne , Ernie Goldthorpe , Fred Graver , Bill Gribben , Joe Harris , Ernie Hart , George Hill , Tommy Howarth , Harold Jacklin , Billy Jackson , Tom Jennings , Bill Johnson , Charlie Keetley , Jim Kirkpatrick , Jack Lambert , Tommy Lamph , Eric Longden , John Lyon , Dave Mangnall , Jack Martin , George Mason , Bobby Mason , Jock McGee , George McNestry , Frank Mears , Bill Menzies , George Milburn , Jack Milburn , Tom Mitchell , Jimmy Moore , Bill Moore , Robert Musgrove , Alan Noble , Eugene O'Doherty , Jimmy Potts , Joe Potts , Sam Powell , Bill Poyntz , George Reed , Joe Richmond , Val Riley , Harry Roberts , Dave Robinson , Cud Robson , Bill Robson , Ralph Rogerson , David Russell , Ivan Sharpe , Harry Sherwin , Albert Sissons , Alf Smelt , Len Smith , George Speak , Alec Stacey , George Stuart , Jack Swan , Jock Thom , Bob Thompson , Dick Thornton , Arthur Tillotson , Tom Townsley , Bobby Turnbull , Ben Underwood , Russell Wainscoat , Jimmy Walton , Fred Waterhouse , Fred Whalley , Percy Whipp , John White , George Wilson , Jimmy Wilson , Basil Wood .