Trainor: John (Jack)

1935-1938 (Player Details)

Centre Forward

Born: Norham-on-Tweed: Date Unknown

Debut: Stoke City (h): 02-01-1937

5’10” 13st (1930)

Trainor eventually opted for a life in professional soccer after starring as an athlete and a Rugby Union player at school. A Northumberaland Schools soccer player, he played Rugby for Berwick in 1933, then Berwick Rangers and Duns in the East of Scotland League. In 1934-35 he joined Ashington when Billy Hampson was the Manager. When Hampson was appointed Manager of Leeds he went back to Ashington in December 1935 to sign the powerful centre-forward. Trainor did not really get a look in at Elland Road and his appearances were firstly three consecutive games over the Christmas/New Year period in the 1936-37 season as deputy for the injured Arthur Hydes. Soon after that Leeds signed Gordon Hodgson and it was not until the following Christmas that he played his final games, as deputy for the injured South African. Trainor, a cousin of Charlie Napier, the Celtic, Derby County, Sheffield Wednesday and Scottish International forward, was transferred to Third Division South club Southend United in May 1938 and he scored six goals in twenty-five League appearances before the Second World War brought an end to League football and Trainor’s football career.