Jack Alderson

John Thomas Alderson (28 November 1891 – 17 February 1972) was an English professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper, making one appearance for the full England national team.

Jack Alderson
Personal information
Full name John Thomas Alderson[1]
Date of birth (1891-11-28)28 November 1891
Place of birth Crook, County Durham, England
Date of death 17 February 1972(1972-02-17) (aged 80)[2]
Place of death Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
Crook Juniors
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Crook Town[1]
Shildon Athletic
1912 Middlesbrough 0 (0)
1912–1918 Newcastle United 1 (0)
1918–1924 Crystal Palace 192 (0)
1924–1925 Pontypridd
1925–1929 Sheffield United 122 (0)
1929–1930 Exeter City 36 (0)
1930–1931 Torquay United 0 (0)
Worcester City
Crook Town
National team
1923 England 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Born in Crook, County Durham, Alderson played from a number of amateur sides before moving to Newcastle United where his career was interrupted by the outbreak of World War I. Following the war he had a successful spell at Crystal Palace and another at Sheffield United making over 100 appearances for each club.

Playing career

Early career in the North East

Jack Alderson began his footballing career as a junior with his local side Crook Juniors,[1] beginning his senior career with Crook Town. He moved to Shildon Athletic before joining Football League side Middlesbrough.

Failing to establish himself at Middlesbrough and was transferred to Newcastle United in 1912 for £30, where he played just once, in a 3–1 win against Arsenal on 25 January 1913.[3][4]

Crystal Palace

With the outbreak of World War I and with league football abandoned Alderson served as a gunner in the Royal Garrison Artillery whilst remaining on the books at Newcastle.[5][6] Based at Woolwich he played a number of wartime games for Crystal Palace as a guest player and at the end of the war signed for Palace from Newcastle for a fee of £50. He was an ever-present in the first post-war season, 1919–20,[7] as Palace finished third in the Southern League. At the end of the season, Palace, along with all the other Southern League clubs formed the new Football League Division Three, Alderson playing in their first ever Football League game, a 2–1 win away to Merthyr Town on 28 August 1920. He remained a constant in the Palace side as they were promoted as champions in their debut season.

Although Palace struggled in Division Two, Alderson was a success and won his only England cap on 10 May 1923, playing in a 4–1 win against France in Paris. In 2005, Palace's centenary year, Alderson was voted their third best goalkeeper of all time, being beaten only by the more recent players Nigel Martyn (winner) and John Jackson (runner-up). Following a dispute with Crystal Palace over a benefit match Alderson moved to Pontypridd in 1924, having played 205 first team games for Palace.[8]

Sheffield United

With FA Cup holders Sheffield United looking for a replacement keeper they turned to Alderson who had a reputation as a spectacular shot stopper and penalty saver. The football committee (who ran the club at the time) were not completely convinced however and sanctioned the £500 move only if the player was under thirty.[5] Club secretary John Nicholson was tasked with verifying the matter and the fee was duly paid to Crystal Palace who still retained his registration.[5] Alderson arrived at Bramall Lane with the local press citing him as 29 – this being far from the truth as he was in fact 34.[5]

Despite his confused transfer Alderson was a success at United, playing 137 games in four years, although he was often considered eccentric and unreliable by his teammates, particularly his liking for entertaining the fans during a game by touching the ground without bending his knees.[5]

Later career

Moving to the South coast Alderson joined Exeter City in 1929 before moving to local rivals Torquay United, but with Joe Wright as first choice keeper and Laurie Millsom as an able understudy,[9] Alderson left without making a first team appearance.

He subsequently played for Worcester City before rejoining Crook Town[1] where he ended his playing career.

References
  1. Joyce, Michael. Football League players' records 1888 to 1939. SoccerData. ISBN 1-899468-67-6.
  2. England football online (10 January 2011). "John Thomas Alderson Bio". Retrieved 10 January 2011.
  3. "Newcastle United's one-hit wonders". NUFC History. Archived from the original on 27 July 2011. Retrieved 7 December 2008.
  4. "Every player who has played for the first team". Talk of the Toon. Archived from the original on 9 July 2011. Retrieved 7 December 2008.
  5. Clarebrough, Denis; Kirkham, Andrew (2008). Sheffield United Who's Who. Hallamshire Press. pp. 31–32. ISBN 978-1-874718-69-7.
  6. "North East War Memorials Project - Regional Content". www.newmp.org.uk. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  7. "Palace Legends – Jack Alderson". Crystal Palace FC. Archived from the original on 26 April 2009. Retrieved 7 December 2008.
  8. "History – Appearances". Crystal Palace F.C. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  9. Edwards, Leigh. The definitive Torquay United F.C. ISBN 1-899468-09-9.
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