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Roy John (footballer)

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For the Wales international rugby union player, seeRoy John (rugby player).

Roy John
Personal information
Full name William Ronald John[1]
Date of birth (1911-01-29)29 January 1911
Place of birth Briton Ferry,Wales[1]
Date of death 12 July 1973(1973-07-12)(aged 62)[1]
Place of death Port Talbot,Wales[1]
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
000?–1927 Briton Ferry Athletic
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1927–1928 Swansea Town 0 (0)
1928–1932 Walsall 88 (0)
1932–1934 Stoke City 71 (0)
1934 Preston North End 0 (0)
1934–1936 Sheffield United 29 (0)
1936–1937 Manchester United 15 (0)
1937 Newport County 10 (0)
1937–1939 Swansea Town 40 (0)
International career
1931–1938 Wales 14 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

William Ronald"Roy"John(29 January 1911 – 12 July 1973) was aWelshinternationalfootballerwho played as agoalkeeperforManchester United,Newport County,Sheffield United,Stoke City,Swansea TownandWalsallas well as theWales national team.[2][1]

Football career

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Born inBriton Ferry,John began his career withBriton Ferry Athleticbefore joiningSwansea Townin 1927. At this time he was an outfield player, originally a full-back (where he was "not greatly appreciated" )[3]before initially moving forward to play as a half-back, where he gained a reputation as "a resolute tackler with a useful kick".[3]He left Swansea in May 1928, having not played aFootball Leaguegame for them.

He then joinedWalsall,where he played for the reserve side as a half-back. Following the departure ofFred BiddlestonetoAston Villain January 1930 and an injury to the reserve goalkeeper, managerSid Scholeyasked John to try out for the custodian's shirt. John did so well in a practice match that he was quickly promoted to first-team goalkeeper.[3]Within months he made his international debut, when he played forWalesagainstIrelandon 22 April 1931. His debut match ended in a 3–2 victory to the Welsh.[4]One writer of the time described him as "dashing and daring – a gay cavalier who laughs fortune in the face".[3]

After 88 league games for Walsall, he was transferred toStoke Cityin April 1932, where he was part of the team which won theFootball League Second Divisiontitle in1932–33.[1]The local media described John's performances during that season as "simply brilliant".[1]He struggled though in theFirst Divisionand was sold to Preston in the summer of 1934.[1]After six months atPreston North End,John moved toSheffield Unitedin December 1934, for atransfer feeof £1,250. He made 29 League appearances for the Blades,[5]before he was sold toManchester Unitedin June 1936, for a fee of £600. His debut for the club finished in a 1–1 draw withWolverhampton Wandererson 29 August 1936. He transferred toNewport Countyin March 1937, having made 15 appearances for United.[2]

He moved back to Swansea Town four months after joining Newport. In 1938, he helped Swansea reach the final of theWelsh Cup,where they were defeated byShrewsbury Townin a replay.[6]He remained at theVetch Fieldclub until theSecond World Warcut his career short. He officially retired on 11 November 1939, when he became a hotel manager.[3]

During the war, John guested for several clubs in the north-west of England, includingSouthport,and in September 1942 he played for a Wales XI against theR.A.F.[3]

International career

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John made 14 appearances for Wales in full internationals, helping Wales win theBritish Home Championshipin1933and1934.[3]During his time as the Wales goalkeeper, he alternated withBert GrayandLen Evans.[7]

Career statistics

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Club

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Source:[8]

Club Season League FA Cup Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Walsall 1928–29 Third Division North 4 0 0 0 4 0
1929–30 Third Division North 10 0 0 0 10 0
1930–31 Third Division North 37 0 4 0 41 0
1931–32 Third Division North 37 0 1 0 38 0
Total 88 0 5 0 93 0
Stoke City 1931–32 Second Division 1 0 0 0 1 0
1932–33 Second Division 40 0 2 0 42 0
1933–34 First Division 30 0 3 0 33 0
Total 71 0 5 0 76 0
Sheffield United 1934–35 Second Division 22 0 2 0 24 0
1935–36 Second Division 7 0 0 0 7 0
Total 29 0 2 0 31 0
Manchester United 1936–37 First Division 15 0 0 0 15 0
Newport County 1936–37 Third Division South 10 0 0 0 10 0
Swansea Town 1937–38 Second Division 17 0 0 0 17 0
1938–39 Second Division 23 0 1 0 24 0
Total 40 0 1 0 41 0
Career Total 253 0 13 0 267 0

International

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Source:[9]

National team Year Apps Goals
Wales 1931 1 0
1932 3 0
1933 3 0
1934 2 0
1935 1 0
1936 2 0
1938 2 0
Total 14 0

Honours

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Stoke City
Swansea Town
Wales

References

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  1. ^abcdefghMatthews, Tony (1994).The Encyclopaedia of Stoke City.Lion Press.ISBN0-9524151-0-0.
  2. ^abGraham, Mark."William John".Manchester United A-Z players.Mufcinfo.com.Retrieved13 May2011.
  3. ^abcdefgDavies, Gareth; Garland, Ian (1991).Who's Who of Welsh International Soccer Players.Bridge Books. p. 100.ISBN1-872424-11-2.
  4. ^"Wales 3 Ireland 2".Welsh Football Data Archive. 22 April 1931.Retrieved26 October2011.
  5. ^Joyce, Michael (2004).Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939.Nottingham: Tony Brown. p. 139.ISBN1-899468-67-6.
  6. ^"Shrewsbury Town 2–1 Swansea Town".Welsh Cup Final replay.Welsh Football Data Archive. 19 September 1938.Retrieved26 October2011.
  7. ^"Goalkeepers (in chronological order)".welshfootballonline.com. 2008.Retrieved26 October2011.
  8. ^Roy Johnat the English National Football Archive(subscription required)
  9. ^John, Royat National-Football-Teams.com
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