Sam Wadsworth Explained

Sam Wadsworth
Fullname:Samuel John Wadsworth[1]
Birth Date:13 September 1896
Birth Place:Darwen, England
Death Date:[2]
Death Place:Eindhoven, Netherlands
Height:[3]
Position:Left back, centre half
Youthclubs1:St Cuthbert's
Youthyears2:–1912
Youthclubs2:Darwen Woodfold
Youthyears3:1912–1914
Youthclubs3:Darwen
Years1:1914–1919
Years2:1920–1921
Years3:1921–1929
Years4:1929–1930
Clubs1:Blackburn Rovers
Clubs2:Nelson
Clubs3:Huddersfield Town
Clubs4:Burnley
Clubs5:Lytham
Caps1:0
Caps3:281
Caps4:7
Goals1:0
Goals3:4
Goals4:0
Nationalyears1:1922–1926
Nationalteam1:England
Nationalcaps1:9
Nationalgoals1:0
Manageryears1:1934–1935
Manageryears2:1935–1938
Manageryears3:1938–1940
Manageryears4:1945–1951
Manageryears5:1951–1955
Manageryears6:1956
Managerclubs1:DHC Delft
Managerclubs2:PSV
Managerclubs3:DWS
Managerclubs4:PSV
Managerclubs5:Brabantia
Managerclubs6:BVC Amsterdam

Samuel John Wadsworth (13 September 1896 – 1 September 1961) was an English professional footballer who played as a left back for Darwen, Blackburn Rovers, Nelson, Huddersfield Town, Burnley and Lytham. He won 9 England caps between April 1922 and October 1926 and was captain for his final four appearances.[4] He later had a long career in management in the Netherlands.

Personal life

Wadsworth was born in Darwen, the son of Clara Ellen Briggs and James Wadsworth.[5] He was married to Harriet Elizabeth Woodward. Prior to the outbreak of the First World War, Wadsworth worked as a clerk. He ran a garage while a Blackburn Rovers player and the business later failed, which caused financial and health problems for his family.[6] After his retirement from professional football in 1930, Wadsworth worked for the Lytham St. Annes Corporation's transport department.

War service

During the First World War, Wadsworth lied about his age to enlist as a gunner in the Royal Garrison Artillery and received a shrapnel wound in the left ankle.[7] His older brother Charles was killed in the war and "the atrocities left him physically and mentally scarred, suffering blackouts and grappling with post-traumatic stress".

Career statistics

Club! rowspan="2"
SeasonLeagueFA CupTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Huddersfield Town1920–21[8] First Division600060
1921–22First Division39190481
1922–23First Division38250432
1923–24First Division37030400
1924–25First Division33010340
1925–26First Division38020400
1926–27First Division36110371
1927–28First Division17040210
1928–29First Division34060400
1929–30First Division3030
Career total28143103124

Honours

Huddersfield Town

1922

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Book: Joyce, Michael . Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939 . Tony Brown . 2012 . 978-1905891610 . Nottingham . 297.
  2. Web site: England Players – Sam Wadsworth . 13 November 2018 . www.englandfootballonline.com.
  3. News: Woolwinder . 22 August 1921 . First Division prospects. Huddersfield Town . 5 . Athletic News . Manchester.
  4. News: Sam Wadsworth – Post-War Rejection to England Hero . en-US . Football and the First World War . 13 November 2018.
  5. Web site: Samuel John Wadsworth . 22 March 2020 . Archief Amsterdam.
  6. Web site: Sam Wadsworth . 13 November 2018 . en-gb.
  7. Web site: Phillips . Owen . Aloia . Andrew . The Last Pass . 13 November 2018 . BBC News . en-GB.
  8. Web site: Player Profile – Wadsworth, Sam . 2 August 2020 . Huddersfield Town AFC Archive.