Jack Wilson (footballer) explained

Jack Wilson
Full Name:John Thomas Wilson
Birth Date:8 March 1897
Birth Place:Leadgate, County Durham, England
Height:[1]
Position:Wing half
Youthclubs1:Leadgate St Ives
Youthclubs2:Leadgate United
Years1:1919–1920
Clubs1:Newcastle United
Caps1:7
Goals1:2
Years2:1920–1922
Clubs2:Leadgate Park
Years3:1922
Clubs3:Durham City
Caps3:9
Goals3:5
Years4:1922–1926
Clubs4:Stockport County
Caps4:131
Goals4:5
Years5:1926–1932
Clubs5:Manchester United
Caps5:130
Goals5:3
Years6:1932–1933
Clubs6:Bristol City
Caps6:18
Goals6:0
Manageryears1:1920–1922
Managerclubs1:Leadgate Park (player-manager)

John Thomas Wilson (born 8 March 1897) was an English footballer who played as a wing half.[2]

Career

Born in Leadgate, County Durham, he played for Leadgate St Ives and Leadgate United as a youth and served as a bombardier in the Royal Field Artillery during the First World War.[3] His first professional club was Newcastle United, with whom he had a brief spell with due to breaking both his legs while at St. James' Park. He became player-manager of Leadgate Park at the age of 24, in 1920.

In 1922, he moved to Durham City, scoring five goals in eight matches, attracting the attention of Stockport County. He stayed with County for four seasons, eventually changing positions from an inside forward to a half back.

In September 1926, he was sold to Manchester United. Early in his career at Old Trafford, he was sent off in a reserve match, which resulted in a two-month suspension. However, he proved to be a trusty stalwart in the defence, and was noted for his enthusiasm and an immense capacity for hard work. He was captain of the side during the 1928–1929 season. He was at Old Trafford for six seasons, having made he made 140 appearances and scoring 3 goals.[4] He was sold to Bristol City in 1932.

He lasted a season with the Robins, before returning to his hometown of Leadgate, unable to find another club. In 1947, he was employed in the licensing trade in Tynemouth.

Notes and References

  1. News: The lure of promotion. Stockport County . Athletic News . Manchester . 13 August 1923 . 6.
  2. Book: Joyce, Michael . Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939 . SoccerData . 2012 . 978-1-905891-61-0 . Nottingham . 315 . 2002.
  3. Web site: North East War Memorials Project – Regional Content . www.newmp.org.uk . 27 October 2019.
  4. Web site: Jack Wilson . 11v11.com . Association of Football Statisticians . 30 December 2018.