Ernest Williamson

Ernest Clarke Williamson (24 May 1890 – 30 April 1964) was an English football goalkeeper.

Ernest Williamson
Personal information
Full name Ernest Clarke Williamson[1]
Date of birth 24 May 1890
Place of birth Murton, England
Date of death 30 April 1964(1964-04-30) (aged 73)[1]
Place of death Norwich, England
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Murton Red Star
Wingate Albion
1913–1916 Croydon Common 65 (0)
1916–1923 Arsenal 105 (0)
1923–1925 Norwich City 43 (0)
National team
1923 England 2 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Career

Born in Murton, County Durham, Williamson began his career at local sides before moving to London in 1913 to join Croydon Common.[1] During World War I he served in the Royal Army Service Corps and also turned out for various teams as a guest, including over 120 appearances for Arsenal.[1] After the war ended, Williamson officially signed for Arsenal, who had just been promoted to the First Division, for a £150 fee.[2] After sharing the keeper's jersey with Stephen Dunn in 1919–20 he made it his own the following season, playing 33 of the Gunners' 42 matches in 1920–21, and only missing one match the season after that.[1]

His consistency for Arsenal brought the attention of the England selectors, and he became Arsenal's first post-First World War international, playing in both of England's matches away to Sweden on 21 May and 24 May 1923.[3] However, by this time his Arsenal place was under threat; after conceding fourteen goals first in five matches during 1922–23 he had been dropped in favour of Dunn, and later Jock Robson. In June 1923 he left Arsenal for free to go to Norwich City. In all he played 113 official first-class matches for Arsenal, in addition to his unofficial wartime matches.[2]

After playing for Division Three South Norwich for two seasons, Williamson retired from football altogether in 1925. He died in 1964, aged 73.[1]

Career statistics
Club Season League FA Cup Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Croydon Common 1913–14[1] Southern League Second Division 30 0 1 0 31 0
1914–15[1] Southern League First Division 35 0 2 0 37 0
Total 65 0 3 0 68 0
Arsenal 1919–20[4] First Division 26 0 1 0 27 0
1920–21[4] 33 0 1 0 34 0
1921–22[4] 41 0 6 0 47 0
1922–23[4] 5 0 0 0 5 0
Total 105 0 8 0 113 0
Career total 170 0 11 0 181 0

References
  • Harris, Jeff (1995). Hogg, Tony (ed.). Arsenal Who's Who. Independent UK Sports. ISBN 1-899429-03-4.
  1. "Croydon Common Football Club – Biographies – Ernest Clarke Williamson" (PDF). Retrieved 17 April 2017.
  2. Group, Arsenal Media. "Ernie Williamson | Arsenal.com". www.arsenal.com. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
  3. "England Matches 1919–1930". www.englandfootballonline.com. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  4. "Ernie Williamson". 11v11.com. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
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