4th April 1887

Preston, Lancashire

Goalkeeper

Goalkeeper Herbert Crossthwaite, a Lancastrian from Preston, signed from Fulham and moved to Birmingham after appearing regularly in the Southern League for Exeter City during 1910/11. He took over the Grecians’ goalkeeping jersey from former England international Jack Robinson. 

Herbert played locally in the Preston area as a junior until signing professional forms with Preston North End in 1905. Although he didn’t make the first team at Deepdale, Herbert did play once in the league for Blackpool whom he joined in 1906. A year later he moved to Fulham but, used once more as understudy to the regular keeper, he failed to make a first-team appearance. 

Replacing former England international Jack Robinson, Herbert joined Exeter City as first-choice 'keeper ahead of the 1909/10 Southern League campaign. Making his debut against West Ham United he missed just one league game in what was the club's second season in professional football. 

Attracting the attention of larger clubs, Herbert made an immediate return to the Football League with Birmingham in the summer of 1910 where he eventually featured in 49 league matches. After the First World War he was on the books at Stoke City but didn’t feature in the first team.

He subsequently joined the police in Birmingham and rose to the rank of inspector before dying in the city on 20 May 1944.

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