Alf West Explained

Alfred West
Birth Date:1881 12, df=y
Birth Place:Nottingham, England
Death Place:Radford, Nottingham, England
Height:5feet[1]
Position:Full-back
Years3:1900–1902
Years4:1902–1903
Years5:1903–1909
Years6:1909–1910
Years7:1910–1911
Years8:1911–1915
Years9:1919
Years10:1919–1920
Clubs1:Jardine's Athletic
Clubs2:Radford Congregational
Clubs3:Ilkeston Town
Clubs4:Barnsley St. Peter's
Caps5:124
Goals5:5
Clubs5:Liverpool
Clubs6:Reading
Caps7:4
Goals7:0
Clubs7:Liverpool
Clubs8:Notts County
Clubs9:Mansfield Town
Clubs10:Shirebrook

Alfred West (1881-1944) was an English footballer who played for Liverpool Football Club in the early 20th century, helping them to the 1906 Football League Championship.

Life and playing career

Early life

Born in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, on 15 December 1881, West played for local clubs Notts Jardine, Radford Congregational and Ilkeston Town before joining Barnsley St. Peter's (later to become Barnsley) in 1902. He quickly impressed, becoming the subject of a bid from Small Heath and attracting interest from other clubs.

When West was signed by Liverpool manager Tom Watson in November 1903, Barnsley St. Peter's rewarded him with a testimonial match. The transfer fee paid by Liverpool to Barnsley for West's services was £500.[2] The uncompromising full-back went straight into the starting 11 upon signing, and he made his debut in a Football League Division One match against Notts County at Anfield on 7 November 1903, a game that Liverpool won 2–1.[3] His first goal was a penalty kick scored in a 3–0 victory over Bury on 16 April 1904 at Anfield. He couldn't prevent the Anfield club from being relegated at the end of the 1903–04 season just a point short of Stoke's tally. Due to an injury caused by a shooting accident while preparing for a sprint race with his trainer William Norman, West did not make his first appearance of the 1904–05 season until he played in a 3–1 loss to Manchester United on 24 December 1904.[4] Despite this, West played in 16 matches of that Second Division campaign as the Reds shot straight back to the top flight, winning the second division title in 1905. A year later West added a League championship medal to his collection as he missed just one game of the 1905–06 season. The following season, a combination of an injury suffered in a game against Middlesbrough and a "severe family tragedy" restricted West to just four appearances.

West moved on to Reading in June 1909 for a short spell for a transfer fee described as "heavy".[5] During his time at Reading, he served as club secretary.[6] He returned to Merseyside when Watson resigned him in 1910. He made four more appearances for Liverpool before leaving for Notts County in July 1911 – a move which surprised Liverpool's fans.[7] He remained at the Meadow Lane club until the start of the First World War.

During the War, West was shot in the leg,[8] causing him to return home in 1916.[9] By 1917, he was back in action in France.[10] West survived the War, and had short spells playing for Mansfield Town and Shirebrook before retiring.

He died in Radford, Nottingham on 27 June 1944.[11]

Career details

As a player:

References

General

Specific

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Alfred West (Alf West). https://archive.today/20130731170456/http://kjellhanssen.com/1980/01/01/alfred-west-alf-west/. dead. 31 July 2013. kjellhanssen.com. 31 July 2013. Kjell. Hanssen.
  2. News: Liverpool paid £500 for Alf West it is revealed. 29 April 1907. 19 June 2014. Evening Telegraph.
  3. Web site: Appearances by Alf West in the 1903–1904 season. lfchistory.net.
  4. Web site: Appearances by Alf West in the 1904–1905 season. lfchistory.net.
  5. News: West heads east. Manchester Courier. 3 June 1909. 19 June 2014.
  6. News: West moves home to Nottingham. Liverpool Echo. 13 July 1911. 19 June 2014.
  7. News: Alf West "scoring a bull's eye". 22 August 1911. 31 July 2013. Liverpool Echo.
  8. News: Alfred West has been wounded in action. 30 September 1916. 31 July 2013. Liverpool Football Echo.
  9. News: Alf West is home from the front. 23 November 1916. 31 July 2013. Liverpool Echo.
  10. News: Reports of broken leg for Sheldon. 3 May 1917. 31 July 2013. Liverpool Echo.
  11. News: Alf West dies. 28 June 1944. Nottingham Evening Post. 31 July 2013.