Alderson, Jack

Birth Date

28th November 1891

Birthplace

Crook, Durham

Occupation

Goalkeeper

Biographical Text

Former England international goalkeeper Jack Alderson played for Exeter City between 1929 and 1930. He joined the club from Sheffield United and had earlier enjoyed a notable spell with Crystal Palace having started his professional career with Middlesbrough and Newcastle. Prior to becoming a footballer he had worked in the mining industry in County Durham.

Growing up in Crook, County Durham he worked in the coal industry and played for Crook Juniors, Crook Town and Shildon Athletic before joining Middlesbrough where he was unable to break his way into the first-team. Transferring to Newcastle United in 1912 he played once in the league against Arsenal in 1913 before playing in wartime football for Crystal Palace. 

Moving to the London club after the war Jack was a great success and was part of the club's 1920/21 Division Three championship-winning team and was later rewarded with a full England international cap against France in May 1923. After 192 league games for Palace he switched to Pontypridd but returned to the league with Sheffield United where he appeared in 122 league games between 1925 and 1929. 

Leaving Bramall Lane at the age of 37, he signed for Exeter City and made his debut for the club on 31 August 1929 against Luton Town and played 36 consecutive league matches before losing his place to Tom Holland. After just the one season with Exeter he moved on to Torquay United but, without featuring for the first yeam, soon left for Worcester City before returning to Crook Town where he had started. 

Described as 'being gifted with a rich humour', Jack excelled at both sprinting and rowing and was known for a 'party trick' where he would throw a ball in the air and punch it nearly as far as the halfway line. 

Jack Alderson died on 2 July 1959 in Dewsbury in the West Riding of Yorkshire (englandfootballonline.com disputes the information about his death carried by other sources).

Appearances

Exeter City Record  Date League   FA Cup   League Cup   Other   Total  
    Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
                       


36

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