24th January 1896

Sheffield

Forward

Remembered for his 'purple patch' 26 league goals in 1927/28 (one more than Harold Blackmore’s record the previous season), Fred Dent had two seasons with  Exeter City having joined the club from Bristol City. Later moving to Merthyr Town, he had started at Sheffield Wednesday and also played for Halifax, Norwich, Swindon and Luton. 

Having been awarded a Meritorious Service medal in the Great War, Fred signed initially as an amateur for Sheffield Wednesday and then as a professional in 1920. Making four league appearances for the Owls, he joined Halifax Town in 1921 where he stayed for two seasons and hit 12 goals in 38 league appearances. With Halifax demanding a fee from other Football League clubs, Fred dropped into non-league football by signing for Mid-Rhondda where he was selected for the Welsh League against the Irish League. Signing for Bristol City for the 1925/26 season, he netted one goal in 12 league outings.

Fred moved to Exeter City in the summer of 1926 and, having made his debut in the 4-4 draw against Norwich City on 18 September 1926, managed three goals in 14 league appearances during his first season at St James' Park. 

Coming into his own during his second season, Fred finished with 26 goals in just 34 league games - including all four in a 4-1 win over Bristol Rovers - to beat the club-record league tally for the season set by Harold Blackmore only the previous season. Remaining as the record until Fred Whitlow's 33 in 1932/33, Fred also scored four times against Aberdare Athletic in the FA Cup and twice against Ilford.   

To much surprise, Fred signed for Merthyr Town at the end of the season ahead of a move to Norwich City a few months later. Staying in Norfolk for little more than half-a-season, he moved to Swindon Town for the 1929/30 campaign followed by a single-season stint with Luton Town.

Fred became a senior manager in the employment office in Sheffield and died in 1983.

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