Programme: Courtesy Mark Ledgard
Teamsheet & Profile
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Profile: Frank Betteridge
Born in Worksop on 12th January 1911, Frank Betteridge, who started his career with a Nottingham School eleven as a full-back, played his local club Worksop Town before
joining Halifax Town in 1930 from Denaby Main, and scoring thirty-one goals in one hundred and nine League appearances as an Outside-Left. He also scored four goals in eleven
F.A. Cup ties and once in three other games. He left the Shaymen in 1936 and joined Barrow where he scored four times in twenty-nine League appearances. He later moved into
Non-League football with Goole Town. He died in 1972.
Match Report: Yorkshire Post: 28-04-1936
Leeds United Draw at the Shay:
Leeds United fielded their strongest side at the Shay last evening, and Halifax Town did very well to force a 2-2 draw. The match was set aside for the benefit of Frank Betteridge,
the Halifax left winger, and it provided some entertaining play, even though the keenness of League fixtures was lacking. United were obviously the cleverer side, especially in the
first half, when their forwards indulged in some delightful moves, but they found the Halifax defence in its most confident mood, and they had to work very hard for their first goal.
This was scored by Brown, after a shot from Cochrane had hit the cross-bar, but Halifax were not long in arrears. Smith equalising. Hydes restored the First Division club's lead,
and the Halifax equaliser came from Merry. Brown had a fine chance to win the match for the United when, in the last minute, they were awarded a penalty for "hands" against
Allsop; but his kick from the spot struck the cross-bar.
Match Report: The Halifax Daily Courier and Guardian: 24-04-1936. (Courtesy Steve Bell)
Betteridge's Benefit
Leeds United Select Strongest Team
Leeds United are to field their strongest team when they visit the Shay on Monday Evening, to meet Halifax Town in the benefit match for Frank Betteridge, the Halifax Town
left winger.
Indeed they announce that the team, subject to alteration will be the same as defeated Sunderland on Wednesday, viz:
McInroy; Sproston and Milburn (G.); Edwards, McDougal (or Kane) and Browne; Duggan, Brown (G.), Kelly, Furness and Cochrane. This eleven includes at leat five internationals.
Town will also play their full strength and, injuries barred, the team will be: Owen; Allsop and Pope; Craig, Williams and Cooke; Merry or Presgrave, Smith, Valentine, Barkas,
and Betteridge.
Referee: Mr G. Cunliffe, Halifax.
The Kick-off will be at 6.30
Match Report: The Halifax Daily Courier and Guardian: 27-04-1936. (Courtesy Steve Bell)
Betteridge's Benefit
Strong Leeds United Team
Leeds United have made two changes in their team to visit the Shay tonight in the match arranged for the benefit of Frank Betteridge, the Halifax Town inside-left.
McInroy (goalkeeper) and Kelly (centre-forward) are unfit; Savage will keep goal and George Brown. the former Huddersfield Town, Aston Villa and Burnley international
moves to centre forward, Hydes taking the inside-right position.
Apart from these changes Leeds Unites are at full strength
Town have brought in place of Presgrave at outside right, while Smith and Barkas exchange places.
The Kick-off will be at 6.30
Teams:-
Halifax Town: Owen; Allsop and Pope; Craig, Williams and Cooke; Merry, Barkas, Valentine, Smith and Betteridge.
Leeds United: Savage; Sproston and Milburn (G.W.); Edwards, McDougal and Browne; Duggan, Hydes, Brown (G.), Furness and Cochrane.
Referee: Mr G. Cunliffe, Halifax.
Match Report: The Halifax Daily Courier and Guardian: 28-04-1936. (Courtesy Steve Bell)
Clever Football at the Shay
Skill Of Leeds United.
Betteridge's Benefit.
Scorers: Halifax Town: Smith and Merry : Leeds United : G. Brown and Hydes.
The benefit match for Frank Betteridge, the Halifax Town left winger, at the Shay last evening, produced an excellent exhibition of clever football.
Leeds paid Betteridge the compliment of fielding practically their full strength and impressed as the more polished team from the start. Town,
however, were responsible for delightful moves and were no means disgraced by the First Leaguers. Of course, both teams played in the most sporting
manner, and declined to employ vigourous methods.. This added to the attractiveness of the play and to the end, it was a most entertaining affair.
Criticism is scarcely justified in these friendly matches but one player who impressed by his skill and technique was Allsop. He fared well against the
tricky and speedy Leeds left winger. Williams, Cooke and Pope also stood out, while Smith and Betteridge in the forwards were prominent.
Valentine was right out of his element in the less virile atmosphere of the match.
McDougal and Sproston were excellent in defence for Leeds, while Edwards, Furness and Brown contributed brilliant footwork and Cochrane some
some grand shooting.
CLEVER GOALS
The Halifax goal had an early escape, when Cochrane fired in an extra-ordinary shot which hit the bar twice. The drive first struck under the bar
bounced down and up again to hit the bar a second time.Smith was dangerous but could not get full power into his shot, and Betteridge came along
with a fast dribble, Valentine being only just wide from his centre. Cochrane again thrilled the crowd with a rising shot which Owen put away over the bar.
Leeds took the lead after 30 minutes of entertaining, when, with great deliberation, Hydes centred to George Brown, who headed a neat goal.
Betteridge came near to levelling the scores with a difficult screw shot from a centre by Merry, Savage who saved at full length. The goal was not
long delayed, however, for after 33 minutes Pope sent Betteridge through and from his pass Smith beat Savage with a glorious shot. Brown had rough
luck with a header which bounced against the far post, but a moment later, Hydes took a pass from Brown to restore United's lead after 40 minutes.
Town had their chances in the second half, but Valentine shot weakly. Smith, however, was inchestoo high on one occasion, and with another drive
caused Savage to dive across his goal.
Midway through the second half, however, Valentine took advantage of a mistake by Milburn and gave to Merry, who pulled a good shot well out of
Savage's reach to level the scores again.
Although Leeds never exerted themselves unduly. Town had more of the play and it needed a brilliant save from Savage to keep out a pile-driver
from Bettteridge.In the last minute Brown struck the bar with a penalty for hands against Allsopp.
There were about 2,000 spectators. After the match the Leeds players and officials were entertained to dinner at the Crown Hotel.
Teams:-
Halifax Town: Owen; Allsop and Pope; Craig, Williams and Cooke; Merry, Barkas, Valentine, Smith and Betteridge.
Leeds United: Savage; Sproston and Milburn (G.W.); Edwards, McDougal and Browne; Duggan, Hydes, Brown (G.), Furness and Cochrane.
Referee: Mr G. Cunliffe, Halifax.
