Croot: Frederick Richard (Fred)

1907-1918 (Leeds City Player Details) (Leeds City War-time Guest Player Details)

Outside Left

Born: Rushden, Northamptonshire: 30-11-1885

Debut: v Glossop (h): 02-09-1907

5’7” 12st 2lb (1907)

Croot started with Northamptonshire Non-League team Wellingborough before joining First Division Sheffield United in 1905. He could not establish himself at Bramall Lane playing only eight games in two seasons there. He made the move to Leeds City in May 1907 and quickly established himself as a first-team regular and crowd favourite. He was an ever-present in his first season and played sixty consecutive League games before missing his first game, the only game he missed in his second season at Elland Road. He accumulated appearances at a rapid rate, missing only a handful of games as a fixture on the left wing for City. He was also a regular scorer and was City’s second highest goal-scorer in League football, after Billy McLeod, and was also United’s second on City’s all-time appearances list, once again being second to Billy McLeod. Ironically, it was from Fred’s fine crosses that McLeod scored many of his goals. He was also City’s regular penalty-taker for four seasons from 1909-10 to 1913-14 scoring sixteen times from the spot in that time. He did not play for City in the War-time fixtures, after making thirteen appearances in the initial 1915-16 season, until his very final appearance in the Leeds colours, when he turned out for City in the away fixture at Leeds Road in the Subsidiary Tournament defeat against Huddersfield Town. He left City to join Scottish club Clydebank. He died in his hometown on 5th July 1958. He was without doubt one of City’s best and most consistent players and was very popular with the crowd for his outstanding contributions and performances.