Archie Needham Explained

Archie Needham
Fullname:Archibald Needham
Birth Date:2 August 1881
Birth Place:Sheffield, England
Position:Utility player
Clubs1:Sheffield United
Years2:1905–09
Clubs2:Crystal Palace
Caps2:103
Goals2:24

Archibald Needham (2 August 1881 – 1950) was an English footballer, who played for Crystal Palace in a variety of positions.

Career

Born in Sheffield, Needham played professionally for Sheffield United but unlike his namesake (relative?) Ernest Needham he was not a regular first team player. In 1905 he joined new club Crystal Palace, and was the club's top scorer in their first season, playing in the Southern League Division Two. Needham was a versatile player, and played in almost every position save for goalkeeper whilst at Palace. On 21 January 1909, he scored a memorable goal against Football League side Wolves in an FA Cup first round replay. In the dying minutes of extra time, Fred Fountain wrote of the goal in the Croydon Advertiser in 1946: "...he simply weaved his way through all the players and dribbled it right up to the Wolves' goal, putting in an unstoppable shot."[1] Writing in The Penny Illustrated Paper, John Cameron called Needham "The brilliant Crystal Palace 'utility man'."[2]

Notes and References

  1. Matthews, Tony (editor). We All Follow The Palace. Juma, 1998, pages 17–18.
  2. FOOTBALL CHAT . JOHN CAMERON. P.I.P.: Penny Illustrated Paper and Illustrated Times (London, England), Saturday, 30 January 1909; pg. 71; Issue 2488.