Ernie Toseland

Ernie Toseland(17 March 1905 – 19 October 1987) was an Englishfootballerwho played in the outside right position. He has been described as 'a flying winger – football'sJesse Owens'.

Ernie Toseland

Personal information
Full name	Ernie Toseland
Date of birth	(1905-03-17)17 March 1905
Place of birth	Northampton,England
Date of death	19 October 1987(1987-10-19)(aged 82)
Height	5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Position(s)	Outside right
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1927–1929	Coventry City	22	(11)
1929–1938	Manchester City	368	(61)
1938–1939	Sheffield Wednesday
1946–	Mossley
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Early life

Toseland was born inNorthamptonin 1905. Be began his career as a footballer playing for Higham Ferrers Town and in 1927 joinedCoventry Cityfor £50 after playing against their reserve team. In his first reserve game he broke his collarbone and did not play for a year. He scored on his first team debut at Watford and his sensational speed and dribbling quickly made him a fan's favourite. The First Division scouts were soon alerted to his prowess and after just 22 games for Coventry (and 11 goals) he was signed byManchester Cityfor a club record £3000. Contemporary reports describe him asCoventry City's most gifted player of the decade.

Manchester City

In March 1929, he leftCoventry Cityfor a fee of £3000 to joinManchester Citywho were then in the First Division. He was part of the City team until 1938 and appeared 411 times, scoring 75 goals in the process. Toseland joined a strong forward line at City which includedEnglandinternationals such as outside leftEric Brook,inside forwardTommy Johnsonand centre forwardFred Tilson.The City team also included the England international centre halfSam CowanandScotlandcaptainJimmy McMullan.Toseland's first goal for City was scored in a 3–0 victory overAston Villain the 1928–1929 football season.Eric BrookandTommy Johnsonscored the other goals. That season City finished eighth andTommy Johnsonscored a club record of 38 league goals.

In the 1929–1930 season Manchester City finished third in the first division, three points behind runners upDerby County.Toseland scored three goals in the FA Cup that season but Manchester City were knocked out byHull Cityin the fifth round. In the 1930–1931 season, City finished eighth in the league and Toseland scored ten league goals for the club.Eric Brookwas the team's leading goalscorer that season with 16 goals. In the 1931–1932 season the City team, which now included the Scottish centre forwardAlec Herd,managed to reach the semi-final of the FA Cup but were defeated by Arsenal by 1–0 with a goal from England internationalCliff Bastin.In the following season, Toseland helped City reach the final. In the1933 FA Cup Finalhe was part of the Manchester City team that was defeated three goals to nil byEvertonwho were captained by England internationalDixie Dean.The Everton team also included former City playerTommy Johnson.In the1934 FA Cup FinalToseland was part of the City team which beatPortsmouth2–1. Toseland had scored once in a 6–1 demolition ofAston Villain the semi-final of that year's competition. The other goals were scored byAlec HerdandFred Tilson(who scored four).

In the 1934–1935 football season Toseland scored five goals and City finished fourth in the league, ten points behind championsArsenal.One of Toseland's five goals that season came in a memorable 5–0 victory againstWolverhampton Wandererson the final day of the season. In the 1936–1936 season, Toseland was again City's fourth highest scorer in the league with ten goals.Eric Brookwas the leading scorer with thirteen goals. In the 1936–1937 football season Toseland was part of the firstManchester Cityside to win the League Championship. The team went on an unbeaten run after Christmas, winning 14 times and drawing 6 games. The championship was won at Maine Road with a 4–1 victory overSheffield Wednesday.In the 1937–1938 football season Toseland was part of the City team that were relegated from the first division despite scoring more goals than any other team. In 1938 he transferred toSheffield Wednesdaybut only played fifteen times for his new team before the outbreak of war.

Retirement

Toseland continued to play amateur football after the war, signing forMossleyat the age of 41 and scored 12 goals in 49 appearances in the 1946–47 season, before retiring at the end of the season.He died in Stockport on 19 October 1987.

Honours

As a player

Manchester City

• FA Cupwinners:1934
• Football League First Divisionchampions:1936–37