Lavery: John (Jack)

1906-1908 (Leeds City Player Details)

Inside Forward

Born: Newcastle-on-Tyne: 01-03-1882

Debut: v Clapton Orient (a): 29-03-1906

5’5 1/2” 10st 6lb (1908)

An apprentice mason, Lavery started with Jarrow in the Northern Alliance in his native North-East in the 1903-04 season, before joining Second Division Barnsley for the 1904-05 season. He scored twice in three games at Oakwell, before moving to Midland League Denaby United where he stayed until he moved to Second Division Leeds City in March 1906. A nippy little player with an eye for goal he quickly established himself as the regular Inside Left in the City team and scored a hat-trick at Elland Road on 15th December 1906 in a 6-1 demolition of Stockport County,in a season which saw him second in the goal-scoring charts with twelve, as Billy McLeod led the way with fifteen. He moved to Southern League club Swindon Town, along with team-mates Harry Kay and Bob Jefferson in 1908 and made his debut for the Wiltshire team at home to Luton Town on 31st October 1908 and scored sixteen goals in forty Southern League games, played in six F.A. Cup ties without scoring and scored once in one Southern League Cup match, a total of seventeen goals in forty-seven appearances, before playing his last game at home to West Ham United on 30th April 1910. He was part of Swindon’s fine run to the F.A. Cup Semi-Final in 1909-1910 and was in the team that was finally defeated by Newcastle United. He returned to his native North East with Non-League South Shields in 1910 and finished his football career there.