Abrahams

IR

0

Said to have had League experience, but it could well be Tom Abrams, who was well-known in local pre-war football, when he played with Rothwell White Rose in 1912-13, Methley Perseverance and Castleford Town in 1913-14 and had trials with Leeds City in November 1912. He was said to have impressed in a Leeds United trial match on 3rd November 1919.

Anstead, William Alfred

IF

1

Born Plumstead Common, Kent in late 1893. Worked as a Booking Clerk. Played for Yorkshire Amateurs, after the first World War and played for them against Leeds United in the club's first game on 15th November 1919.

Atkinson

LH

Reserve team player.

Barnsby

CF

Reserve team player.(Could be Barnsley)

Batley, Ernest

IF

2

Thought to have been misnamed as Bailey on occasions, he is thought to have played Inside Right for Castleford Town in the 1915-16 season and also played for Leeds University and the Leeds Amateur League and was Centre Forward for Leeds UYMI in the 1919-1920 season. Described as a "scoring sensation when he represented the Leeds schools team.

J. Bedford

OL

7

From Leeds Local Leagues. He is thought to have played for Leeds Churchville and Wakefield City. He also played Outside Left being misnamed Balford. 17/04/1920 F. Bedford played for Leeds and is likely the same player.

Bell

LB

He was offered the chance to play for a Second Division club.

George Birds

RH

0

1

It is thought that George Birds was born in late 1891 in Youlgreave in Derbyshire, a village only a couple of miles from Ernie Hart’s birthplace of Overseal. His family moved to Blackley, North Manchester by 1901 and in 1911, he became an Apprentice Shirt Cutter. In 1914-15 he played Right-half for Macclesfield Town, making his debut on 7th November 1914 at home to Witton Albion going on to score once in twenty-four League games and once in six Cup-ties. Ex Army, he played for Glossop and Bury before he signed for Leeds on 5th November 1919. In August 1915, he played in a trial match for Huddersfield Town, when he was said to be a Stalybridge Celtic player. There was also a suggestion of a Liverpool FC connection. Made his Leeds United debut v Yorkshire Amateurs 15th November 1919. Professional half mile runner, and former winner of Blackpool and Powderhall championships. An older brother, Joseph, who was a goalkeeper, played for Macclesfield Town, Stockport County, Manchester City, Stockport County, for a second time, before finishing his career at Nelson.

Thomas James (Tom) Birtles

IR

6

2

A Yorkshire County Cricketer who played for Barnsley, Swindon Town and Portsmouth, he was one of the better known players of the 1919-20 season. Born Thomas James Birtles on 26th October 1886 at Higham, a small village just west of Barnsley. He played in the Football League for Barnsley in 1903-04,1904-05 and 1905-06, scoring seven times in thirty-five games, before moving to then Southern League side Swindon Town for the 1906-07 season, before moving to another Southern League team, in Portsmouth for the 1907-08, 1908-09 and 1909-10 seasons. He returned to his native Barnsley in 1910-11, scoring once in three appearances. He finished his career in Non-League football with Rotherham County in the Midland League in 1911-12 and 1912-13, Northampton Town in the Southern League in 1913-14 and Doncaster Rovers, in the Midland League in 1914-15 before the War intervened. He may have played for Worksop Town, but during the War he played for Barnsley frequently in 1915-16 and 1916-17, but managed only a handful of games in 1917-18 and 1918-19 seasons, due to Army requirements. He also played thirty-seven times for the Yorkshire County Cricket Club from 1913 until 1924. He died 13th January 1971 at Attenborough, Nottinghamshire.

Booth

IL

2

Reserve team player. Possibly from Yorkshire Amateurs.

Britton

0

Played in friendlies.

Broome

G

2

0

Reserve Team Player.

J. Buckley

CF

1

1

A Beeston lad who had played for Norwich City early in the war.

Walter John Butler

IF

6 (1 p)

2

He played for Leeds Steelworks, before joining Leeds United but was born in Ellerby, near Skirlaugh, in Holderness, East Yorkshire. He later played once for Leeds United in the Football League and went on to play with Doncaster Rovers in 1920 and Darlington two years later without ever appearing in the Football League.(Leeds United Player Details)

Chambers

0

Reserve Team Player

William Fraser Colston

RH

0

Richard (Dick) Coope

LB

0

Born in Bradford, in the North Brierley area in early 1893, he moved to Laisterdyke where he worked as a Comber in a mill. He was thought to have played Left Back for Leeds University YMI in the early part of the 1919-20 season. During the war, he played two games at Right Back for Bradford City in January and February of 1919. He was also a well known cricketer in Bradford district. (Leeds United Player Details)

Crawshaw

IF

Davies

CH

0

A local player who broke his leg v Worksop Town on 6th December 1919.

Herbert Dodsworth

LB

0

Also played with Leeds Churchville. Almost certainly H Dodsworth who played a few games for Leeds City reserves in 1907-08 & 1908-09. He played with Cardigan Albion (Leeds Amateur Lge), and later with Morley, the short-lived Leeds United (WYL 1911-12) and then Silver Royd Hill (Leeds Amateur Lge). He is probably Herbert, born Q2/1891, who was 20-year-old living in Armley in 1911 census. 1920-21 he seems to be at Methley Perseverance (Yorkshire Lge).

Merton Frederick (Matt) Ellson

IR

9

He signed for Leeds from Frickley Colliery. Born 10th July 1890 in Woodford, Northants. Thought to have played for Wellingbrough Town, and also Northampton Town, but did not make the first team there. He was a schoolteacher, and was thought to have moved into the South Elmsall area due to the war. (Leeds United Player Details)

Stephen Fagan

FB

0

Born Atterciffe, Sheffield on 28th October 1886. He was a widely travelled pre-war player. Starting with Plymouth Argyle 1908-09 and 1909-10, he moved to Bristol City 1909-10, 1910-11, 1911-12, making thirty-four appearances, before returning north to Stockport County for the 1911-12, 1912-13, 1913-14 and 1914-15, Playing a hundred and nine games before the onset of war. During the First World War he played the last four games of the 1916-17 season, in March and April 1917, for Barnsley and also made three appearances for Bradford City in October and November 1917. He joined Leeds United but was released in early December 1919 after a very brief stint.

William Fraser Fawcett

IR

4

Born in late 1898 in Bradford, he was a trialist with Leeds City in September 1914. He played for Bradford Park Avenue, twice at Outside Right in September 1915, during the first World War and Bradford City, once at Outside Right in December 1916, and once at Inside Left in March 1917. He then played as an amateur with Blackburn Rovers in the 1919-20 season, scoring once in five games. In the same season he also appeared for Bradford City Reserves and Yorkshire Amateurs, where he had a couple of games over the Christmas period. He registered as an amateur with Leeds United in 1920-21, but did not appear for the club at any level. He also turned out for Harrogate and continued playing with Yorkshire Amateurs, until he left them for Castleford Town in October 1923, playing his last game for them in January 1924. He also had a reputation as a fine athlete around the Bradford area.

Foster

IR

2

Thought to be a Leeds Malvern player

Gamage

Reserve Team Player

Greaves

Reserve Team Player

Harrison

OL

One of two trialist from the Sunderland area that played on 24-03-1920 v Grimsby Town.

C. Hart

IF

0

From Doncaster Local Leagues. Thought to be Ernie Hart's brother Cecil

Ernie Hart

CH

0

Signed for Leeds from Woodlands Wesleyans in 1920. Born in Overseal, Derbyshire, on the border with Leicestershire, and it was part of that county until the 1890’s. By 1911 he was living in Woodlands district of Doncaster. (Leeds United Player Details)

William Henry Tompkins (Bill) Harvey

OR

0

An Outside Right, born in Shirley, Hampshire on 12th December 1896, he made one appearance for the England amateur international side in November 1919 and also represented the West Riding Regiment, with whom he held the rank of Lieutenant. Despite being born in Hampshire he went to school in Armley. He played the odd match for Yorkshire Amateurs in the 1919-20 season. He also played with The Wednesday during that season, scoring once in nineteen League appearances, and later with scored twice in seventy-eight League games with Birmingham during his stay with them from 1921 to 1924 before finishing his career with Southend United in the 1925-26 season. He died in 1970.

Thomas Williamson Heslop

CH

1

Born in late 1887 in Middlesbrough he lived in the Linthorpe district of the town. By 1911 he had become a Professional Football Player, possibly with his home town club of Middlesbrough but by the 1912-13 season he had signed for Blackpool and scored four goals in twenty-nine games in his time there but moved on to Bolton Wanderers during the 1912-13 season and made seven appearances for them, without scoring. He also played some games for Bolton and Burnley during war. He was one of the early signings for Leeds United, but was released in early December 1919, after having made his debut v Yorkshire Amateurs on 15th November 1919. After being an Inside Right and Left Half, he played several games for Leeds at Centre Half. Having also played in Non-League for Accrington Stanley, after leaving Bolton Wanderers, he later played with Tranmere Rovers, who he joined in 1921 and made eight League appearances.

Horsfield

OR

0

Reserve Team Player

Hunt

CF

1

Debut v Yorkshire Amateurs 15th November 1919. Leeds United's first-ever goalscorer. Thought to have played for Prospect United in the local League.

H. Jagger

LB

0

Thought to be one of the brothers Henry and Harold Jagger who played for Wortley WMI in the Leeds Invinsa Alliance League in the 1919-20 season.

Harold Jeffrey

G

0

Signed from Yorkshire Amateurs on 12th February 1920. But he made appearances for them before signing. He was born in Farsley in late 1893. By the turn of the century he was living in Baildon, but a decade or so later he was residing in Ramsbottom, in Lancashire, where he worked as a Railway Booking Clerk. He joined Leeds City as an amateur, and had actually played for their Reserve side before the club folded. He became a regular with Yorkshire Amateurs, before signing professional forms with Leeds United He left them on 28th October 1920 to join Halifax Town.

Johnson

OL

0

Included in the team at Mexborough on 7th February 1920, but not thought to have played any other game.

Jones

IR

3

Reserve Team Player

Malia

OR

2

1

He made his debut against Scunthorpe at home on 28th April 1920. There were conflicting reports in newspapers of the time, with some referring to him as Malie. The Yorkshire Post report declared there were three Leeds Malvern players in the Leeds side and he was thought to be one of them.

George Mason

OR

6

Signed from Frickley Colliery. (Leeds United Player Details)

Arthur Kitson Mathers

RH

0

Born at Methley in late 1891. He lived in North East Leeds and worked as an Insurance Clerk. He was one of founders of Yorkshire Amateurs, and was stll playing for them in 1920-21.

John McGhee

CH

0

2 (1 p)

Thought to have been born 13th July 1896 in Rothesay. Usually a Full Back or Centre Half, his Leeds appearances in the 1919-20 season were in Friendlies and he subsequently was a Reserve Team player when Leeds joined the Football League. (Leeds United Player Details)

George Moiser

IF

1

Like several other players he made his debut in the Friendly v Yorkshire Amateurs on 15th November 1919 in their first match. Although described as “Morsir” in Sheffield Star it is thought that he played in the game against Sheffield United on 13th December 1919.

Naylor

IL

Thought that he played as an Inside Forward with Leeds Churchville in the local League.

Newman

0

While it could be his real name, often when a trialist played, who wished to remain anonymous, he was named as "Newman", short for "New Man". There is the possibility that as the "trialist" played at Right Back, it should be noted that John Tate made his debut in that position in the following game.

J. D. O'Kelly

IL

0

Attained the rank of Captain during his Army service and was said to have understudied Alan Morton at Scottish League side Queens Park. He was a member of the Yorkshire Amateurs in their early days and after featuring in their first-ever match on 21st April 1919 he continued to play regularly for them in the 1919-20 season. He also played in some frieldlies for the newly formed Wakefield City club in April 1920, and offered to play for them in the 1920-21 Cup-ties, if possible. He also signed as an amateur with Leeds City in 1919-20, but did not make any appearances at first-team or Reserve level. He was said to have played Scottish League, Irish League and Army football.

Overton

John Russell (Jackie) Owen

IR

0

Born in Busby, East Renfrewshire in 1883, he started with Junior clubs Rutherglen Victoria, Leven Victoria before joining Hibernian. He did not make the first team there and in 1903 he left for Barnsley but had one solitary game at Oakwell before returning north of the border to Greenock Morton. However he returned to Barnsley for the 1905-06 season and scored thirteen goals in thirty three games and during that time featured with his future Leeds United compatriot Tom Birtles. He did not stay long at Oakwell and moved to Bolton Wanderers, where he enjoyed further success from 1906 until 1910 when he scored nineteen goals in ninety appearances. He left Burnden Park for Non-League Chorley, before joining Leeds and playing a couple of games.

J. W. Parsons

RH

1

From Liverpool. Signed 5th November 1919. YP said former Liverpool junior. Per Sports Echo of Liverpool: Born Warrington, played with Waterloo Schools, and later Chester. This is John William Parsons, who in 1901 and 1911 censuses is living in Litherland district north of Liverpool (between Bootle and Crosby). Waterloo is neighbouring district. Born Q1/1897 in Warrington. Formerly with Macclesfield Town who say: "Whilst a schoolboy played for St Philips' Litherland near Bootle and on leaving school signed for Liverpool Tanning Co in the Liverpool Central Combination where he won a Championship medal. In World War One he joined the Royal Garrison Artillery in October 1914 serving with them until demobilisation in 1919. During this time he represented his regiment at Central Forces in both this country and in France. He sustained a slight injury during his war service. After the war he signed for Leeds for the 1919-20 season playing in their Midland League team. 1921-22 saw him at Runcorn when he was selected to represent the Rest of the League versus the Champions. He started the 1921-22 season at Stockport County playing in five Lancashire Combination matches before being promoted to their Cheshire League side. He moved to Macclesfield in December 1921 as a defender but completed the season at Inside-left. He proved to be a cool, effective player who was a fearless tackler, but missed the home match against Chester at the end of January as he missed his train. Away from football he ran a sweet and tobacconist business in Liverpool".

William Thomas Payton

IR

1

He was born in Stepney in mid 1892. He remained in the East London area working as an Invoice Clerk at an engineering company. In the war he joined the 17th Battalion Middlesex Regiment, famously known as the Footballers' Battalion. He apparently won the Belgian Croix de Guerre during the war. In 1919-20, he was a regular for Yorkshire Amateurs as well as his known appearance for Leeds United.

Roland Plows

OR

1

Born 03/08/1893 in Holbeck. In the 1911 census he lived in Beeston Hill. Played with Beeston Hill Parish Church 1912-15, Leeds City trialist 1912-13; regular Leeds Amateur Lge representative in inter league matches. In 1919-20, his name comes up at OL in a league selection, when his club was Beeston Hill Parish Church. Still at BHPC 1921-22. Appears to have served in Yorkshire Hussars during war, but was later attached to Derbyshire Yeomanry and Essex Yeomanry. Received a disability pension as result of contracting pneumonia in Greece 1917. Roland was a partner in the family confectionery business E Plows & Sons. This floundered after WW1 and Roland’s father (Edmund) went bankrupt in 1925. Roland was faced with no regular employment. Roland went to prison for maintenance arrears. After a second prison term (either Armley or Wakefield prison) Roland was given money by a family member and disappeared to avoid further court action and possibly emigrated.

Ralston/Roulston

OR

Was a Ralston played for Harrogate West Park (Leeds Amateur Lge) 1920-21. D. Ralston OR for Harrogate Amateurs 1921-22

Rawlings

OR

0

Frederick Reeves

OR

Frederick Reeves was born in late 1898 in Eckington, Derbyshire, but by 1911 he was living in the Woodlands area of Doncaster. War saw him join Coldstream Guards. He apparently played for Bentley Colliery (only 2-3 miles from Woodlands), before playing for Leeds United, and joined Mexborough Town for 1920-21, and also playing an odd game for Sheffield Wednesday that season. For 1921-22, he was back at Mexborough Town.

Riddick

CF

1

Robinson

RB

E. Rodgers

WH

5 (2p)

3 (2p)

Rodgers was a Leeds City amateur in 1919, and played for reserves before their demise. He signed for Leeds United on 5th November 1919 and made his debut v Yorkshire Amateurs on 15th November 1919. He later played for Whitehall Printeries through most of the 1920’s.

Elijah Round

G

0

A well-known sportsman in Swinton/Mexborough area of south Yorkshire, he was born in early 1882 in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. His football career started with Mexborough West End, before moving to Barnsley, where he made forty-five League appearances from 1904-05 to 1907-08 before he moved to Oldham Athletic, where he made ten League appearances before joining Manchester United. He made just two appearances there before moving into Non-League football with Worksop Town, Mexborough Town, in 1912-13 and Castleford Town for the 1913-14 and 1914-15 seasons. During the war he was almost ever present with Barnsley, making ninety-eight appearances in those four seasons. It is thought that he played with Frickley Colliery prior to joining Leeds United. After Leeds, he returned to Mexborough Town for the 1920-21 season, and then it was on to Wombwell for the 1921-22 season and it is thought that he then retired as he had turned forty by then.

Scott

RB

John Scruton

IL

Thought to have played for Halifax Town early in the 1919-20 season and later played for Wakefield City in January and February 1922. Probably John Scruton, born Q2/1894 in Hunslet Carr/Woodhouse Hill area. There was a Scruton played for Halifax T early in the season 1919-20. J. Scruton played for Rothwell Parish Church in 1920-21. J Scruton played IF for Wakefield City Jan/Feb 1922. Also, one at Harrogate Town in 1925-26. Brother Arthur was IF Hunslet Carr School Mar-1913 and LCy School 1913-14.

Ivan Gordon Sharpe

OL

(Leeds United Player Details)

Smith

IF

1

He was a goalscorer at Rotherham Town on 29th November 1919.

Smith

IF

He played at Inside Left on 3rd January 1920 at Lincoln City Reserves

Smith

IF

Made his debut on 7th February 1920 at Mexborough Town.

Smith

OL

Played at Outside Left on 27th March 1920 at Worksop Town

Smith

WH

Selected for a few games at Wing Half in April 1920.

Smith

CF

Played for the Reserve team at Centre Forward on 6th April 1920 in a game at Rotherham Amateurs, while another Smith (above) played at Left Half for the first team at Grimsby Town Reserves on the same day.

Soar

FB

0

Debut v Mexborough (a) 7/2/20. The Soars were a large family who by 1901 were living in Fryston, where the father was the Colliery Manager. The eldest son, George, was a Colliery Undermanager in 1911. However, he also had a career in football. He had played for Gainsborough Trinity, as a Centre Forward in 1907 on three occasions but had failed to score. In 1905-06 he was the regular Centre Forward for Castleford Town, but appears to have moved on or dropped out of favour in 1906-07, but was back in favour at the start of the 1907-08 season and played in the 1908-09 and 1909-10 seasons. He later played for Leeds City in the West Yorkshire League as an Outside Right, Inside Right or Centre Forward, in the early part of the 1911-12 season, but appears to have left by October 1911. As for the Soar brother that played for Leeds United there were several younger brothers. The most likely one is Cyril Ivor Soar, who played at Selby Town after the First World War, and then signed for Fryston Colliery in 1920-21. Thought to be a forward, but appearing for Fryston as a Full Back, he would appear the most likely candidate.

Spence

John Tate

FB

0

From Barnsley Local Leagues. Born in Great Houghton, just outside Barnsley. He played his football in that area in the Local Leagues and from there he was given a chance by Leeds United, but his career there was short-lived.

Thomas

FB

Selected at Right Back for the home game with Gainsborough Trinity on 1st May 1920. It appears to have been his only game for Leeds United. Report in Sports Echo names a Thompson as playing. Probably same player.

Joe Tillotson

RH

0

From Castleford Town. Hunslet born Arthur Tillotson had played a small number of games for Sheffield United during war. He then played for Castleford Town in 1919-20 season, and returned there in October 1920, after his brief sojourn and Football League career at Leeds United. (Leeds United Player Details) However, while Arthur did play for Leeds in the Football League, it was his brother Joe who played while they were still in the Midland League. Joe was a Right Half and had played two games with Bradford City in April and May of 1919, but he joined Leeds United from local football in January 1920. He did not stay long, and as his brother Arthur joined Leeds United from Castleford Town at the start of the 1920-21 season, Joe made the reverse journey. He remained at Castleford Town until he moved to Wakefield City at the start of the 1922-23 season. His next move was to sign for South Kirby Colliery in February 1923 and he finished his career with Methley Perseverance where he played his last two seasons of 1923-24 and 1924-25.

Turner

OL

Leeds Steelworks in 1920-21 (said to be ex-LU)

Norman Waddington

RB

0

Said to be a Yorkshire cricketer and possibly the brother of goalkeeper Abraham Waddington. He was probably born Q4/1897, he was with a Territorial Battalion, 7th West Yorkshire Regiment ("The Leeds Rifles"). The 1911 census places him in the Harehills area. He played for both the "former Leeds Rifles" sides in the friendlies v Leeds United in May 1922 and May 1923. A Univ of Leeds PhD thesis on the history of the Leeds Rifles mentions him, with a quote from his widow to the effect that he had joined the Leeds Rifles as a Territorial unit - mainly for the sports facilities, and that "he cherished the ambition of becoming a professional footballer via membership of the Regimental teams". As the thesis was dated 1983, it is presumed he had died before that date.

Watson

IL

A trialist from the Sunderland area. one of two that played v Grimsby Town 24-03-1920

A. White

RB

1

Thought to be a local amateur.

John Frederick (Jack) White

CH

4

1

From Goole Town. He was born in early 1891 in Goole and joined Leeds from Goole Town in December 1919, but only remained until the end of the season. Signed primarily as Half Back, he was chosen mainly as an Inside Forward. After some seasons in Non League football, he finally made it to Football League standards when he played at Inside Right for Doncaster Rovers in the 1924-25 season, where he started the first two games of the season but then only made a further three appearances, two of them at the tail end of the season. He signed for Frickley Colliery at the start of the following season.

Whiteoak

IL

Said to have been a Bradford City player, but he does not appear to have made the first team.

George H. Wild

IR

Thought to be George H. Wild, who was born at Sowerby Bridge on 30th September 1887. He started with Halifax Town but did not play any games in the Football League. He moved to Bradford City in 1913 scoring once in two games in the 1913-14 season. After the war he played further games in the Football League, scoring twice in thirteen appearances for Halifax Town in 1921.

Bernard G. Williams

OL

Said to be Chesterfield Town amateur. He played OL for Chesterfield in 1916-17 when he made eighteen appearances. Also said to have played for Chesterfield 1919-20.

Wright

LB

Unknown

2

Own goal

1