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Jack Alderson

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Jack Alderson
Personal information
Full name John Thomas Alderson[1]
Date of birth (1891-11-28)28 November 1891
Place of birth Crook,County Durham, England
Date of death 17 February 1972(1972-02-17)(aged 80)[2]
Place of death Sunderland, Tyne and Wear,England
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
Crook Juniors
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Crook Town[1]
Shildon Athletic
1912 Middlesbrough 0 (0)
1913 Barcelona 0 (0)
1913–1918 Newcastle United 1 (0)
1918–1924 Crystal Palace 192 (0)
1924–1925 Pontypridd
1925–1929 Sheffield United 122 (0)
1929–1930 Exeter City 36 (0)
1930–1931 Torquay United 0 (0)
Worcester City
Crook Town
International career
1923 England 1 (0)
Managerial career
1913 Barcelona(player-coach)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

John Thomas Alderson(28 November 1891 – 17 February 1972) was an English professionalfootballerwho played as agoalkeeper,making one appearance for the fullEnglandnational team.

Born inCrook, County Durham,Alderson played from a number of amateur sides, before moving toMiddlesbrough.After failing to establish himself on Teesside, he was briefly the player-coach ofBarcelona.He then joinedNewcastle United,where his career was interrupted by the outbreak ofWorld War I.Following the war, he had a successful spell atCrystal Palaceand another atSheffield United,making over 100 appearances for each club.

Playing career

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Early career

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Jack Alderson began his footballing career as a junior with his local side Crook Juniors,[1]beginning his senior career withCrook Town.He moved toShildon Athletic,before joiningFootball LeaguesideMiddlesbrough.

While making guest appearances for West Auckland Wanderers during a set of friendlies againstBarcelonain December 1912, club presidentJoan Gamperwas impressed with his performances and signed him as player-coach. However, he never made his debut for Barcelona, as he was transferred toNewcastle Unitedfor £30. Despite not coaching the club, he remains Barcelona's youngest ever manager at the age of 21.[3]On 25 January 1913, he made only appearance for Newcastle in a 3–1 win againstArsenal.[4][5]

Crystal Palace

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With the outbreak ofWorld War Iand with league football abandoned, Alderson served as agunnerin theRoyal Garrison Artillery,whilst remaining on the books at Newcastle.[6][7]Based atWoolwich,he played a number of wartime games forCrystal Palaceas a guest player and at the end of the war, signed for Palace from Newcastle for a fee of £50. He was an ever-present in the first post-war season, 1919–20,[8]as Palace finished third in theSouthern League.At the end of the season, Palace, along with all the other Southern League clubs formed the newFootball League Third Division,Alderson playing in their first everFootball Leaguegame, a 2–1 win away toMerthyr Townon 28 August 1920. He remained a constant in the Palace side as they were promoted as champions in their debut season.

Although Palace struggled in theSecond Division,Alderson was a success and won his onlyEnglandcap on 10 May 1923, playing in a 4–1 win againstFrancein Paris. In 2005, Palace's centenary year, Alderson was voted their third best goalkeeper of all time, being beaten only by the more recent playersNigel Martyn(winner) andJohn Jackson(runner-up). Following a dispute with Crystal Palace over a benefit match Alderson moved toPontypriddin 1924, having played 205 first team games for Palace.[9]

Sheffield United

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WithFA CupholdersSheffield Unitedlooking for a replacement keeper, they turned to Alderson who had a reputation as a spectacular shot stopper and penalty saver. The football committee (who ran the club at the time) were not completely convinced however, and sanctioned the £500 move only if the player was under thirty.[6]Club secretaryJohn Nicholsonwas tasked with verifying the matter and the fee was duly paid to Crystal Palace who still retained his registration.[6]Alderson arrived atBramall Lanewith the local press citing him as 29 – this being far from the truth as he was in fact 34.[6]

Despite his confusing transfer, Alderson was a success at United, playing 137 games in four years, although he was often considered eccentric and unreliable by his teammates, particularly his liking for entertaining the fans during a game by touching the ground without bending his knees.[6]

Later career

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Moving to the South coast, Alderson joinedExeter Cityin 1929, before moving to local rivalsTorquay United,but withJoe Wrightas first choice keeper andLaurie Millsomas an able understudy,[10]Alderson left without making a first team appearance.

He subsequently played forWorcester City,before rejoining Crook Town,[1]where he ended his playing career.

References

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  1. ^abcdJoyce, Michael (October 2004).Football League players' records 1888 to 1939.SoccerData.ISBN1-899468-67-6.
  2. ^England football online (10 January 2011)."John Thomas Alderson Bio".Retrieved10 January2011.
  3. ^"Jack Alderson (1913)".FC Barcelona.Retrieved2 February2023.
  4. ^"Newcastle United's one-hit wonders".NUFC History. Archived fromthe originalon 27 July 2011.Retrieved7 December2008.
  5. ^"Every player who has played for the first team".Talk of the Toon. Archived fromthe originalon 9 July 2011.Retrieved7 December2008.
  6. ^abcdeClarebrough, Denis; Kirkham, Andrew (2008).Sheffield United Who's Who.Hallamshire Press. pp. 31–32.ISBN978-1-874718-69-7.
  7. ^"North East War Memorials Project - Regional Content".www.newmp.org.uk.Retrieved24 October2019.
  8. ^"Palace Legends – Jack Alderson".Crystal Palace FC. Archived fromthe originalon 26 April 2009.Retrieved7 December2008.
  9. ^"History – Appearances".Crystal Palace F.C.Retrieved10 October2013.
  10. ^Edwards, Leigh (March 1997).The definitive Torquay United F.C.ISBN1-899468-09-9.
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