Ben Shearman Explained

Ben Shearman
Birth Date:2 December 1884
Birth Place:Lincoln, England
Years1:1899–1900
Years2:1900–1905
Years3:1905–1909
Years4:1909–1911
Years5:1911–1919
Years6:1919–1920
Years7:1920–1924
Years8:1924–1938
Clubs1:Attercliffe
Clubs2:High Hazels
Clubs3:Rotherham Town
Clubs4:Bristol City
Clubs5:West Bromwich Albion
Clubs6:Nottingham Forest
Clubs7:Gainsborough Trinity
Clubs8:Norton Woodseats

Benjamin W. Shearman (2 December 1884 – October 1958) was an English footballer who played as an outside left. Born in Lincoln he came to the fore with Rotherham Town before having spells with Bristol City, West Bromwich Albion and Nottingham Forest. He gained an FA Cup losers medal whilst with West Brom having played in the 1912 final. Despite missing four years of his career due to World War I he made 217 appearances in the Football League.[1]

Career

Shearman was originally spotted playing in the Sheffield School League and was eventually signed by Rotherham Town. Renowned as a speedy winger with an accurate crossing ability he was transferred to Bristol City with whom he made his Football League début in 1909.

After two seasons at Bristol he moved to West Bromwich Albion where he enjoyed the most successful spell of his career, featuring in the 1912 FA Cup Final where the Baggies eventually lost to Barnsley in a replay at Bramall Lane.

With the outset of World War I he moved back to Sheffield to work in steel production at Tinsley whilst making regular guest appearances for Sheffield United before eventually joining the army.

Following the end of the war he was bought by Nottingham Forest for £2,500 but lasted only one season before moving back into non-league football with Gainsborough Trinity.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Denis Clarebrough & Andrew Kirkham . Sheffield United Who's Who . Hallamshire Press . 2008. 290 . 978-1-874718-69-7.