1939–40 Birmingham F.C. season explained

Club:Birmingham F.C.
Season:1939–40
Chairman:Harry Morris Jr
Stdtitle:Ground
Stadium:St Andrew's
League:Football League
League Result:2nd (abandoned)
League2:Midland Regional League
League2 Result:4th
Cup1:Football League War Cup
Cup1 Result:Quarter final (eliminated by West Ham United)
League Topscorer:Wilson Jones (10)
Season Topscorer:Harold Bodle (12)
Pattern B1:_whitecollarplain
Pattern So1:_hoops_white
Leftarm1:000099
Body1:000099
Rightarm1:000099
Shorts1:FFFFFF
Socks1:000099
Prevseason:1938–39
Nextseason:1945–46

During the 1939–40 season, Birmingham Football Club played three Second Division matches before the Football League season was abandoned because of the Second World War. The team had been relegated in 1938–39 after 18 consecutive seasons in the top tier. Regionally based competitions were organised so that football could continue while unnecessary travel was minimised. Birmingham played in the Midland Regional League, finishing fourth of eight teams, and in the Football League War Cup, in which they lost to eventual winners West Ham United in the quarter-final.

Background

After 18 consecutive seasons in the First Division, Birmingham were relegated at the end of the 1938–39 Football League campaign. Manager George Liddell resigned, and returned to his former career as a schoolteacher. First-team coach Jack Bestall also left the club. No successors were appointed. Trainer Billy Gibson's duties were extended to include coaching,[1] and Jack Foster, formerly chief scout at Portsmouth, was appointed to the corresponding role at Birmingham.[2] The directors stated that they were "prepared to accept Mr Foster's advice in all matters relating to players", but confirmed that they would act promptly if it became necessary to appoint a manager.[3]

During the previous season, 1500 new tip-up seats had been installed and the terracing in front of the grandstand completely renovated.[4] Over the close season, the pitch was replanted and reseeded.[3]

Player departures included goalkeeper Frank Clack and half-backs Wally Halsall, Bob Meacock and Dai Richards.[1]

Football League Second Division

Birmingham began the 1939–40 Football League season in the Second Division, but the onset of the Second World War caused the League to be abandoned after three rounds of Second Division matches had been played. They fielded the same eleven for all three matches: Harry Hibbs, Cyril Trigg, Billy Hughes, James Bye, Arthur Turner, Ray Shaw, Jackie Brown, Don Dearson, Ted Duckhouse, Fred Harris and Tom Farrage. Farrage was killed in action in September 1944, serving as a private in the 10th Battalion, the Parachute Regiment during Operation Market Garden.[5] With two wins and a draw, they stood second in the table, behind Luton Town on goal average.

Match results[6]
scope=colDate!scope=colOpponentsscope=colVenue!scope=colResult!scope=colScore
F–A!		scope=colScorersscope=colAttendance
scope=row26 August 1939style=text-align:leftTottenham HotspurAstyle=background:#ffcD1–1style=text-align:leftBrown28,366
scope=row30 August 1939style=text-align:leftLeicester CityHstyle=background:#cfcW2–0style=text-align:leftFarrage, Sharman og13,848
scope=row2 September 1939style=text-align:leftBurnleyHstyle=background:#cfcW2–0style=text-align:leftDearson, Duckhouse15,900

League table (part)

Pos!scope=col
Clubscope=colPldscope=colWscope=colDscope=colLscope=colFscope=colAscope=colGAscope=colPts
scope=row1ststyle=text-align:leftLuton Town3210717.005
scope=row2ndstyle=text-align:leftBirmingham3210515.005
scope=row3rdstyle=text-align:leftLeicester City3201522.504
scope=row4thstyle=text-align:leftCoventry City3120861.334
scope=row5thstyle=text-align:leftPlymouth Argyle3201431.334
scope=rowKeyPos = League position; Pld = Matches played;
W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost;
F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GA = Goal average; Pts = Points
scope=rowSource[7]

Midland Regional League

When war was declared in September 1939, the government banned public gatherings until safety implications could be assessed.[8] Most football grounds reopened soon afterwards, even those in built-up or strategically significant areas, but Birmingham's Chief Constable ordered the continued closure of St Andrew's because of its proximity to likely air-raid targets such as the BSA munitions factories.[9] Consequently, Birmingham were forced to play all their away fixtures first, and when this became impossible, to play home fixtures on a neutral groundthe Windmill Ground at Leamington hosted two "home" matches.[6] The matter was first raised in Parliament in November 1939, but the Home Secretary was unwilling to intervene in what he perceived as a local issue outside his jurisdiction.[10] By March 1940, when St Andrew's had for some time been the only football ground in England still closed, the Chief Constable bowed to public pressure, and a crowd of 13,241 witnessed Birmingham's first home game in more than six months, against Walsall in the Midland Regional League.[9]

Match results
scope=colDate!scope=colOpponentsscope=colVenue!scope=colResult!scope=colScore
F–A!		scope=colScorers
scope=row21 October 1939style=text-align:leftWolverhampton WanderersAstyle=background:#cfcW3–2style=text-align:leftBroome, Edwards, Dearson
scope=row28 October 1939style=text-align:leftWalsallAstyle=background:#cfcW2–1style=text-align:leftDennis Jennings, Dearson
scope=row4 November 1939style=text-align:leftLuton TownAstyle=background:#cfcW2–1style=text-align:leftDuckhouse, Dearson
scope=row11 November 1939style=text-align:leftCoventry CityAstyle=background:#fccL1–3style=text-align:leftBrown
scope=row18 November 1939style=text-align:leftWest Bromwich AlbionAstyle=background:#ffcD2–2style=text-align:leftBrown 2
scope=row25 November 1939style=text-align:leftLeicester CityAstyle=background:#cfcW3–1style=text-align:leftJones, Bye, Edwards
scope=row2 December 1939style=text-align:leftNorthampton TownAstyle=background:#ffcD1–1style=text-align:leftJones
scope=row9 December 1939style=text-align:leftWolverhampton WanderersAstyle=background:#fccL2–6style=text-align:leftBroome 2
scope=row16 December 1939style=text-align:leftWalsallAstyle=background:#cfcW2–1style=text-align:leftEdwards, Broome
scope=row27 December 1939style=text-align:leftWest Bromwich AlbionAstyle=background:#fccL0–3
scope=row30 December 1939style=text-align:leftCoventry CityHstyle=background:#fccL2–4style=text-align:leftBroome, Bodle
scope=row13 January 1940style=text-align:leftLeicester CityHstyle=background:#ffcD3–3style=text-align:leftGuest 2, Duckhouse
scope=row20 January 1940style=text-align:leftNorthampton TownAstyle=background:#fccL0–3
scope=row10 February 1940style=text-align:leftLuton TownAstyle=background:#fccL2–4style=text-align:leftHarris, Roberts o.g.
scope=row24 February 1940style=text-align:leftWest Bromwich AlbionAstyle=background:#fccL1–6style=text-align:leftEdwards
scope=row2 March 1940style=text-align:leftLeicester CityAstyle=background:#fccL1–2style=text-align:leftJones
scope=row9 March 1940style=text-align:leftNorthampton TownAstyle=background:#cfcW3–1style=text-align:leftTurner pen., Brown, Bodle
scope=row16 March 1940style=text-align:leftWolverhampton WanderersAstyle=background:#fccL1–3style=text-align:leftBodle
scope=row23 March 1940style=text-align:leftWalsallHstyle=background:#cfcW2–1style=text-align:leftJones 2
scope=row25 March 1940style=text-align:leftWest Bromwich AlbionAstyle=background:#fccL1–4style=text-align:leftDuckhouse
scope=row26 March 1940style=text-align:leftLuton TownHstyle=background:#cfcW5–4style=text-align:leftBodle 2, Jones 2, A.E. Godden
scope=row30 March 1940style=text-align:leftLuton TownHstyle=background:#cfcW4–1style=text-align:leftJones, Trigg 2, Bodle
scope=row6 April 1940style=text-align:leftCoventry CityHstyle=background:#cfcW2–1style=text-align:leftTrigg 2
scope=row10 April 1940style=text-align:leftWolverhampton WanderersHstyle=background:#fccL0–1
scope=row1 May 1940style=text-align:leftNorthampton TownHstyle=background:#cfcW3–1style=text-align:leftGardner, Bodle, Trigg
scope=row20 May 1940style=text-align:leftLeicester CityHstyle=background:#ffcD0–0
scope=row5 June 1940style=text-align:leftCoventry CityHstyle=background:#ffcD0–0
scope=row8 June 1940style=text-align:leftWalsallHstyle=background:#cfcW8–1style=text-align:leftBodle 2, Duckworth 2, Jones 2, Brown, Godfrey o.g.

League table

Pos!scope=col
Clubscope=colPldscope=colWscope=colDscope=colLscope=colFscope=colAscope=colGAscope=colPts
scope=row1ststyle=text-align:leftWolverhampton Wanderers28193676441.7341
scope=row2ndstyle=text-align:leftWest Bromwich Albion28184687511.7140
scope=row3rdstyle=text-align:leftCoventry City281331268571.1929
scope=row4thstyle=text-align:leftBirmingham281251156600.9329
scope=row5thstyle=text-align:leftLuton Town281041476880.8624
scope=row6thstyle=text-align:leftNorthampton Town28781348590.8122
scope=row7thstyle=text-align:leftLeicester City28761551710.7220
scope=row8thstyle=text-align:leftWalsall28751651830.6119
scope=rowKeyPos = League position; Pld = Matches played;
W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost;
F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GA = Goal average; Pts = Points
scope=rowSource[11]

Football League War Cup

Match results[12]
scope=colRoundscope=colDate!scope=colOpponentsscope=colVenue!scope=colResult!scope=colScore
F–A!		scope=colScorers
scope=rowFirst round first leg20 April 1940style=text-align:leftNewport CountyAstyle=background:#ffcD2–2style=text-align:leftGodden 2
scope=rowFirst round second leg27 April 1940style=text-align:leftNewport CountyHstyle=background:#cfcW5–2style=text-align:leftTrigg 2, Bodle 2, Godden
scope=rowSecond round first leg4 May 1940style=text-align:leftReadingHstyle=background:#cfcW2–0style=text-align:leftTrigg, Jones
scope=rowSecond round second leg11 May 1940style=text-align:leftReadingAstyle=background:#cfcW2–0style=text-align:leftGodden, Bodle
scope=rowThird round18 May 1940style=text-align:leftArsenalAstyle=background:#cfcW2–1style=text-align:leftGodden, Turner
scope=rowQuarter final25 May 1940style=text-align:leftWest Ham UnitedAstyle=background:#fccL2–4style=text-align:leftTrigg 2

Appearances and goals

For a description of the playing formation, see formation (association football)#2–3–5 (Pyramid).

Players marked with an asterisk * were guests, not registered Birmingham players.[13]

Players having played at least one first-team match
Pos.Nat.NameFootball LeagueMidland Regional LeagueFootball League War CupTotal
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
GKscope=rowHarry Hibbs309000120
GKscope=rowGil Merrick00100010
GKscope=rowJack Wheeler0018060240
FBscope=rowSam Bellamy00400040
FBscope=rowGeorge Cummings *—400040
FBscope=rowBilly Hughes3017060260
FBscope=rowDennis Jennings00810081
FBscope=rowWally Quinton0018060240
FBscope=rowCyril Trigg3016566250
HBscope=rowJimmy Allen *—100010
HBscope=rowJames Bye3019140261
HBscope=rowFred Deakin00300030
HBscope=rowRay Devey00300030
HBscope=rowReg Foulkes00700070
HBscope=rowBob Iverson *—700070
HBscope=rowAlex Massie *—400040
HBscope=rowF.W. Moss00100010
HBscope=rowRay Shaw3010000130
HBscope=rowArthur Turner3017161262
FWscope=rowJ. Bate *—100010
FWscope=rowHarold Bodle00179632312
FWscope=rowFrank Broome *—750075
FWscope=rowE. Brown00100010
FWscope=rowJackie Brown3115550236
FWscope=rowCharlie Craven00900090
FWscope=rowDon Dearson3119350274
FWscope=rowTed Duckhouse31650096
FWscope=rowGeorge Edwards *—10400104
FWscope=rowTom Farrage31000031
FWscope=rowFred Gardner00210021
FWscope=rowA.E. Godden005164115
FWscope=rowBilly Guest *—620062
FWscope=rowFred Harris3019160281
FWscope=rowWilson Jones001710311711
FWscope=rowDudley Kernick *—100010
FWscope=rowJackie Martin *—200020
FWscope=rowSeymour Morris00100010
FWscope=rowFrank Moss *—200020
FWscope=rowD.W. Rowley00100010

References

General

Specific

Notes and References

  1. News: Changes at St Andrew's . Birmingham Daily Post . 23 August 1939 . 10.
  2. News: Jack Foster's new job . The Evening News . Portsmouth . 7 July 1939 . 12.
  3. News: New regime at St Andrew's . Evening Despatch . Birmingham . 10 August 1939 . 12.
  4. News: New regime at St Andrew's . Birmingham Gazette . 15 June 1939 . 12.
  5. Web site: Casualty details . Commonwealth War Graves Commission . 20 February 2019.
  6. Matthews (1995), Complete Record, p. 236.
  7. Web site: Season 1939–40 (Abandoned) . Stuart . Jackson . Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF) . 19 February 2019.
  8. News: Closing of places of entertainment. Preventing large assemblies . The Times . London . 4 September 1939 . 10.
  9. Matthews (1995). Complete Record. pp. 21–22.
    Book: Rippon, Anton . Gas Masks for Goal Posts. Football in Britain during the Second World War . Sutton . Stroud . 2005 . 16–17 . 0-7509-4030-1.
  10. Written Answers (Commons): Civil Defence: Football Matches (Spectators) . Hansard . 15 November 1939 . 353 . cc726–7W . 19 February 2019.
    Commons Sitting: Civil Defence: Football Prohibition (Birmingham) . Hansard . 22 February 1940 . 357 . cc1515–6 . 19 December 2015.
  11. Rollin, Soccer at War, p. 238.
  12. Rollin, Soccer at War, pp. 248–249.
  13. Rollin, Soccer at War, p. 276.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "1939–40 Birmingham F.C. season".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.