Hornby: Cecil Frederick (Cyril)

1929-1936 (Player Details)

Half Back/Inside Forward

Born: West Bromwich: 25-04-1907

Debut: Leicester City (a): 11-10-1930

5’11” 11st 4lb (1930)

Cyril started as an inside left with Midland side Oakengates Town, from where Leeds signed him in May 1929. A robust and willing worker, Hornby found that his versatility made him a key player at Elland Road in the 1930s. Primarily a left half, he could fill a variety of roles and established himself as a solid First Division all-rounder. With the Edwards-Hart-Copping half back line together until the end of the 1933-34 season, there was little option for Hornby but to fill in when either Edwards or Copping were injured or if the likes of Billy Furness, Russell Wainscoat or Arthur Hydes were unavailable, before becoming a regular after the departure of Wilf Copping. Although it took him time to find his feet he had made a valuable contribution to the United cause as he became the regular left-half, a position he held until the arrival of Irish International Bobby Browne in late October 1935. He played his last game for United on 1st February 1936 in a 1-2 defeat by Grimsby Town at Elland Road, before joining Sunderland in that month. He made his Sunderland debut at Centre-half and gained revenge on the same Grimsby Town on 19th February 1936 as they won 3-1 at Roker Park. His first four appearances were in that position but he was also used to good effect at Inside Right, scoring three times in his eight games in that position. While at Sunderland he scored twice in twelve League appearances and once in his only F.A. Cup appearance. He stayed until July 1937, when he returned to the Midlands and his old club, Oakengates Town as player-manager. He later played for Brierley Hill Alliance and Cradley Heath. He died in 1964 and his ashes were spread on the Hawthorns, home of his native town team, West Bromwich Albion.