Sam Wadsworth

Summary

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.[1] 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.[4]

Sam Wadsworth
Personal information
Full name Samuel John Wadsworth[1]
Date of birth 13 September 1896
Place of birth Darwen, England
Date of death 1 September 1961(1961-09-01) (aged 64)[2]
Place of death Eindhoven, Netherlands
Height 5 ft 7+12 in (1.71 m)[3]
Position(s) Left back
Youth career
0000–1912 St Cuthbert's
1912–1914 Darwen
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1914–1919 Blackburn Rovers 0 (0)
1920–1921 Nelson
1921–1929 Huddersfield Town 281 (4)
1929–1930 Burnley 7 (0)
Lytham
International career
1922–1926 England 9 (0)
Managerial career
1934–1935 DHC Delft
1935–1938 PSV
1938–1940 DWS
1945–1951 PSV
1951–1955 Brabantia
1956 BVC Amsterdam
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Personal life edit

Wadsworth was born in Darwen, the son of Clara Ellen Briggs and James Wadsworth.[5] He was married to Harriet Elizabeth Woodward.[5] Prior to the outbreak of the First World War, Wadsworth worked as a clerk.[4] He ran a garage while a Blackburn Rovers player and the business later failed,[2] 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.[2]

War service edit

During the First World War, Wadsworth lied about his age to enlist as a gunner in the Royal Garrison Artillery and was wounded in action.[7][8] 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".[7]

Career statistics edit

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Huddersfield Town 1920–21[9] First Division 6 0 0 0 6 0
1921–22[9] First Division 39 1 9 0 48 1
1922–23[9] First Division 38 2 5 0 43 2
1923–24[9] First Division 37 0 3 0 40 0
1924–25[9] First Division 33 0 1 0 34 0
1925–26[9] First Division 38 0 2 0 40 0
1926–27[9] First Division 36 1 1 0 37 1
1927–28[9] First Division 17 0 4 0 21 0
1928–29[9] First Division 34 0 6 0 40 0
1929–30[9] First Division 3 0 3 0
Career total 281 4 31 0 312 4

Honours edit

Huddersfield Town

Individual

References edit

  1. ^ a b Joyce, Michael (2012). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: Tony Brown. p. 297. ISBN 978-1905891610.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "England Players – Sam Wadsworth". www.englandfootballonline.com. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  3. ^ Woolwinder (22 August 1921). "First Division prospects. Huddersfield Town". Athletic News. Manchester. p. 5.
  4. ^ a b c "Sam Wadsworth – Post-War Rejection to England Hero". Football and the First World War. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  5. ^ a b "Samuel John Wadsworth". Archief Amsterdam. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  6. ^ "Sam Wadsworth". Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  7. ^ a b Phillips, Owen; Aloia, Andrew. "The Last Pass". BBC News. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  8. ^ "Samuel John Wadsworth | Service Record". Football and the First World War. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Player Profile – Wadsworth, Sam". Huddersfield Town AFC Archive. Retrieved 2 August 2020.

External links edit

  • Sam Wadsworth at Englandstats.com