Albert Sturgess

Albert Sturgess (21 October 1882 – 16 July 1957) was an English footballer who played in the Football League for Norwich City, Sheffield United and Stoke he also played for the England national team.[1]

Albert Sturgess
Personal information
Full name Albert Sturgess[1]
Date of birth (1882-10-21)21 October 1882
Place of birth Etruria, England[1]
Date of death 16 July 1957(1957-07-16) (aged 74)[1]
Position(s) Wing half
Youth career
Tunstall Cresswells
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1902–1907 Stoke 124 (3)
1908–1922 Sheffield United 353 (5)
1923–1924 Norwich City 47 (0)
Total 524 (8)
National team
1911–1914 England 2 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

Sturgess started his career with amateur side Tunstall Cresswells before joining Stoke in 1902. He broke into the first team in 1905–06 thanks to the departure of James Bradley to Liverpool.[1] Whilst was not as good as the talented Bradley Sturgess more than made up for it with his determination and graft. Stoke who had survived several relegation battles in the early 1900s were relegated in 1906–07.[1] It got worse for Stoke as the club's finances imploded in 1907–08 forcing the club out of the Football League. Sturgess was sold to Sheffield United in a bid to raise much needed funds.[1]

He was signed by Sheffield United from Stoke in 1908, along with George Gallimore, for the maximum transfer fee at the time of £350. He was a tall wiry defender and was nicknamed hairpin because of his build. He played primarily at wing-half or half-back in his time with Sheffield United, forging a formidable partnership with George Utley and Bill Brelsford.

Sturgess was the type of professional footballer that all football clubs yearn for. He played with skill and determination in all positions, and, whether as a forward, half-back, full-back, or emergency goalkeeper, Sturgess never gave less than 100%, and well deserved his reputation as the one man football team. He made his debut for the Blades in a Division One match at Bury on 1 September 1908, replacing Ernest Needham at left-half.

He was also part of the victorious Sheffield United FA Cup winning team of 1915, when United beat Chelsea 3–1 at Old Trafford, on 24 April 1915. He went on to make 353 league appearances and five goals for the Blades, between 1908 and 1922.

After World War I, he played mainly as full-back but turned out in most positions in the Blades team. He was noted for his fine tacking and anticipation and long accurate kicking, he gave Sheffield United and Stoke excellent service missing very few games in a long career. Twice an ever-present in United colours, he still managed forty league games in the season that he celebrated his fortieth birthday.

In 1923, he joined Norwich City where he would spend one season and making 47 appearances for the Canaries helping them to (what was) their best league finish so far, 11th in Division Three South. He retired from football at the age of 43 in 1925, and being a native of Etruria, he opened a china shop in Ecclesall Road, Sheffield.[2] He died in 1957 aged 74.

International career

While with Sheffield United Sturgess won 2 England caps – versus Northern Ireland at the Baseball Ground on 11 February 1911, and versus Scotland at Hampden Park on 14 April 1914.

Career statistics

Club

Source:[3]

Club Season League FA Cup Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Stoke 1902–03 First Division 100010
1903–04 First Division 300030
1904–05 First Division 900090
1905–06 First Division 37021391
1906–07 First Division 37230402
1907–08 Second Division 37160431
Total 12431111354
Sheffield United 1908–09 First Division 29010300
1909–10 First Division 38110391
1910–11 First Division 32010330
1911–12 First Division 32310333
1912–13 First Division 29000290
1913–14 First Division 28070350
1914–15 First Division 36170431
1919–20 First Division 42020440
1920–21 First Division 31000310
1921–22 First Division 36010370
1922–23 First Division 20010210
Total 35352203755
Norwich City 1923–24 Third Division South 32030350
1924–25 Third Division South 15020170
Total 47050520
Career Total 52483815629

International

Source:[4]

National teamYearAppsGoals
England 191110
191410
Total20

Honours

Sheffield United

References

Specific
  1. Matthews, Tony (1994). The Encyclopaedia of Stoke City. Lion Press. ISBN 0-9524151-0-0.
  2. Clarebrough, Denis. Down Memory Lane, Sheffield United Match Day Programme, 14 December 1985.
  3. Albert Sturgess at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
  4. Sturgess, Albert at National-Football-Teams.com
General
  • Clarebrough, Denis (1989). Sheffield United F.C., The First 100 years. Sheffield United Football Club. ISBN 0-9508588-1-1.
  • Young, Percy A. (1962). Football in Sheffield. Stanley Paul & Co. Ltd ISBN 0-9506272-4-0.
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