Hornby: Cecil Frederick (Cyril)

1929-1936 (Player Details)

Half Back/Inside Forward

Born: West Bromwich: 25-04-1907

Debut: Leicester City (a): 11-10-1930

5’11” 11st 4lb (1930)

Cyril started as an inside left with Midland side Oakengates Town, from where Leeds signed him in May 1929. A robust and willing worker, Hornby found that his versatility made him a key player at Elland Road in the 1930s. Primarily a left half, he could fill a variety of roles and established himself as a solid First Division all-rounder. With the Edwards-Hart-Copping half back line together until the end of the 1933-34 season, there was little option for Hornby but to fill in when either Edwards or Copping were injured or if the likes of Billy Furness, Russell Wainscoat or Arthur Hydes were unavailable, before becoming a regular after the departure of Wilf Copping. Although it took him time to find his feet he had made a valuable contribution to the United cause before joining Sunderland in February 1936. There he scoring twice in twelve appearances, staying until July 1937, when he returned to the Midlands and his old club, Oakengates Town as player-manager. He later played for Brierley Hill Alliance and Cradley Heath. He died in 1964 and his ashes were spread on the Hawthorns, home of his native town team, West Bromwich Albion.