|
|
|
Tom
Brittleton |
The Wednesday
FC
5 appearances, 0 goals
P 5 W 4 D 1 L 0 F
12:
A
2
90% successful
1909-14
captain: none
minutes played: 450 |
 |
|
Timeline |
| |
John Thomas Brittleton |
|
Birth |
St. George's Day, Sunday, 23 April 1882 at 5 Hill Street, Wharton, Winsford, Cheshire |
|
|
registered in Northwich April-June 1882 |
|
|
According to the 1891 census,
John is the fourth of six children to James and Eliza (née Clarke), living at 16 Hill
Street in Wharton, Winsford. His father is a salt boiler. |
|
|
According to the 1901 census,
Thomas is the oldest of the three children still living with their parents
in Hill Street. He is now a salt labourer. |
|
Marriage |
to Sarah Jane
Sumner, on 16 December 1901 at Northwich Register Office,
Cheshire |
|
|
registered in Northwich October-December 1901 |
|
"Miss Sarah Jane Sumner, youngest daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs.
William Sumner, of Woodford-lane, was in domestic service at a farm when
she married young Tom Brittleton at Northwich Register Office.
Nineteen-year-old Tom was employed at John Garner's salt works for 18s. a
week."
- Widnes & Runcorn Chronicle, Saturday, 15 December 1951. |
|
Children |
Tom and Sarah Brittleton have three
children together. Annie (b.6 April 1902), Elizabeth
(b.1 September 1903) and John Thomas (b.1 May 1906) |
|
|
His mother
died in early 1904.
At the time of John's baptism, 30 May 1906, Tom is
a professional footballer and all are living at 30 Vere Road in
Ecclesfield, as stated in the West Yorkshire Electoral Register of 1908.
According to the 1911 census,
John Thos. is a professional footballer and is married to Sarah Jane with
three children, Anne, Elizabeth and John. Living at 49 Fielding
Road in Wadsley Bridge in Sheffield.
West Yorkshire Electoral
Registers state they remained at 49 Fielding Road until at least 1915. |
"FOOTBALL
CLUB'S TRIBUTE
|
 AT THE
CENOTAPH.—There was a
touching scene at the Whitehall Cenotaph on Saturday, when the players of
the Stoke Football Club, who were visiting West Ham, paid a tribute their
comrades who fell in the war. Thomas Brittleton, the captain of the team,
deposited on the steps of the Cenotaph a remarkable wreath, on behalf of
his colleagues, who stood bare-headed around the now famous monument. The
wreath was very large, and was designed especially to represent a football
field, correctly marked. In the centre was a football in red and white. A
card attached to the wreath bore the following inscription:—'From
the directors and players of the Stoke Football Club (1908) Limited, in
memory pf our comrades who gave their lives for liberty in the Great War,
1914-1918.' The names of the seven players who so died are:—R. Herron, H.
Hargreaves, C. Kinson, A. W. Limer, S. Ripley, G. Shorthouse, and W.
Nixon, The simple ceremony attracted considerable interest."
- The Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday, 18 December 1920 |
|
According to the 1921
census, John Thomas, still a professional footballer (for Stoke FC) and
still married, along with their three children, they all live at 201
Weaver Street in Winsford. |
| "The sympathy of a wide
circle of football friends will go out to Tom Brittleton, the Stoke
player-coach, in the loss he has sustained by the death of his father."
- The Staffordshire Sentinel, Friday, 26 August 1921. |
|
According to the 1939 register, John T, a
general labourer at the saltworks, and Sarah J., remain married and are
living at 141 High Street in Winsford. |
|
"A WELL KNOWN Winsford couple, who are described by their eldest daughter
as 'just like Darby and Joan, ' will celebrate their fiftieth wedding
anniversary on Sunday. They are Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Brittleton, 141,
High-street. Unfortunately, the great day will not be spent as originally
planned. The Brittleton's younger daughter, Mrs. S. Egerton, of Kingsway,
is ill, and John Brittleton, junr., their grandson, cannot obtain leave
from the R. A. F. So celebrations are being postponed until it is possible
to get the whole family together."
- Widnes & Runcorn Chronicle, Saturday, 15 December 1951. |
|
"THANKS |
MR. and MRS. T.
BRITTLETON, 141, High Street, Winsford, express their sincere thanks for
letters, telegrams and verbal messages of congratulation on their golden
wedding anniversary."
- Widnes & Runcorn Chronicle, Saturday, 29 December 1951. |
|
Death |
Tuesday, 22 February
1955 at 141 High Street, Winsford, Cheshire |
|
aged
72 years 305 days |
registered in Northwich January-March 1955 |
|
Obituary |
"CAPPED FOR ENGLAND
FIVE TIMES
"Death of Mr. Tom Brittleton
,%20Tom.jpg) "SPORTSMEN
everywhere will hear with regret of the death at his home, 141,
High-street, Winsford, on Tuesday of Mr. Thomas Brittleton, once known as
'the fittest man in football' and renowned for his internationally
recognised skill at the game. Mr. Brittleton, who was 72, began his
serious soccer career with his home town club, Winsford United, then an
amateur side. He assisted them to victories in the Cheshire Amateur Cup in
1901 and 1903, on the latter occasion choosing to help them in cup matches
though in League football he was playing for Stockport County. At that
time County were in the Second Division. Then came a slump in their
fortunes and they dropped into the Lancashire Combination, at the same
time transferring Mr. Brittleton to the First Division side, Sheffield
Wednesday. The fee was £400, not a lot by present-day standards, but a
considerable sum considering that at the time the highest fee paid was
£1,800. For the Wednesday Mr. Brittleton played regularly for the
first team at right-half for a great many seasons. With them he won an
English Cup winners' medal in 1907 and he brought even greater honour to
the club—and to his home town—by gaining five full international caps while
at Hillsborough. His internationals were against Scotland and Wales (twice
each) and Ireland. In addition he appeared in three international trials,
and to his full caps were added seven awarded to him for playing for the
Wednesday in inter-city matches in Glasgow. Because he wanted to settle
again in his native Winsford he parted company with Wednesday the year
after the First World War ended, but though he promptly signed for United
again he was destined to play in first-class football for another five
years. Before the season began United transferred him to Stoke City. whom
he captained from full-back and for whom he was still playing at the age
of 47. When he finally retired from the game Mr. Brittleton had been a
professional footballer for twenty-two years. There followed for him
eleven years as mine host at the Navigation Inn, New-road, Winsford,
before he entered upon full retirement. Mr. and Mrs. Brittleton celebrated
their golden wedding in December 1951. Two daughters and a son, as well as
the widow, are left. Mr. Brittleton had been ill a long time." -
The Winsford Chronicle, Saturday, 26 February 1955 |
|
Funeral |
Friday, 25 February 1955 at St. John the
Evangelist Church in Over, Winsford |
|
Probate |
"BRITTLETON
John Thomas of
141 High-street Winsford
Cheshire
died 22 February
1955 Probate
London
5 April to John Thomas Brittleton labourer and Sydney Pickstock sail
maker.
Effects £2510 11d."
[2025 equivalent: £57,201]. |
|
|
"The funeral took place at St. John's Church, Over, on Thursday of
Mrs. Sarah Jane Brittleton, aged 78, of 141 High-street, Winsford. Mrs.
Brittleton, who died the previous Monday, was the widow of Mr. John Thomas
Brittleton...who died three years ago." -
The Winsford Chronicle, Saturday, 2 August 1958 |
|
Source |
 Douglas Lammings' An
English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990] & |
|
Playing Career |
Club(s) |
Was playing with Winsford Juniors FC in 1896. Then Winsford Celtic
FC and Winsford United FC. Stockport County FC signed him in on 13
February 1902. And he played in every position except goalkeeper. Despite
interest from Aston Villa FC and Liverpool FC, it was The Wednesday FC who
eventually signed him for £300 on 7 January 1905 as an inside-right,
before settling in his right-half position midway through the 1906-07
season,
replacing Herod Ruddlesdin. He remained until
he was released and he signed for Stoke FC on 21 May 1920. Rejoined Winsford United FC,
of the Cheshire League, as a
player-coach on 9 July 1925. |
League honours
501 appearances, 45 goals |
Stockport County FC
1902-04 45 appearances, ten goals
debut (division two): 13 December 1902 Stockport County FC 0
Burslem Port Vale FC 4.
The Wednesday FC 1905-20 342 appearances, thirty
goals
debut: 14 January 1905 The Wednesday FC 4 Bury FC 0
Stoke FC 1920-25 114 appearances, five
goals
debut (division two): 28 August 1920 Nottingham Forest FC 2 Stoke
FC 2.
last (division two):
11 April 1925 Stoke FC 3 Blackpool FC 1. |
|
Club honours |
Cheshire Amateur Cup winners 1900-01, 1902-03;
Football League Division One third place 1905-06 (19ᵃ 3ᵍ),
1912-13 (34ᵃ); Division Two runners-up 1921-22 (14ᵃ);
FA Cup winners 1906-07
(8ᵃ); |
|
Individual honours |
Football
League (two appearances); |
|
Distinctions |
Younger brother
Samuel played football for Stockport County FC, Preston North End FC and
Southampton FC (1909-10). His son John Thomas (Tom) played football with Aston Villa FC
(1927-30). |
|
Height/Weight |
5'
9" or 10", 11st.
7lbs or 12lbs [1905], 5'
9", 12st.
2lbs [1910],
5'
9½", 12st.
0lbs [1913]. |
|
Source |
Douglas Lammings' An English
Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990]. |
|
England Career |
|
Player number |
One of two who became 358th
players (358) to appear for England. |
|
Position(s) |
Right-half |
|
First match |
No. 111, 10 February 1912, Ireland 1 England 6, a
British Championship match at Dalymount Park, Phibsborough, Dublin, aged 29 years
293 days. |
Last match
2 years 34 days |
No. 118, 16 March 1914, Wales
0 England 2,
a British Championship match at Ninian Park, Sloper Road, Cardiff, aged
31 years 327 days. |
|
Major tournaments |
British Championship 1911-12, 1912-13, 1913-14; |
|
Team honours |
British Championship shared 1911-12, winners 1912-13, |
|
Individual honours |
The North (one
appearance, January 1909 (reserve in January 1907));
The Stripes (one appearance, January 1910);
The Whites (two appearances, January 1912);
The Professionals (withdrew in
October 1913);
England Trial (one appearance,
January 1914); |
|
Distinctions |
None |
|
Beyond England |
|
No additional information. -
An English Football Internationalists' Who's Who.
Douglas Lamming (1990). Hatton Press, p.45/46. |
|
The Numbers |
|
parties |
Appearances |
comp. apps |
minutes |
 |
captain |
|
11 |
5 |
5 |
450 |
0 |
none |
|
The minutes here given
can only ever be a guideline and cannot therefore be accurate, only an
approximation. |
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
FTS |
CS |
FAv |
AAv |
Pts% |
W/L |
|
5 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
12 |
2 |
+10 |
0 |
3 |
2.2 |
0.4 |
90 |
+4 |
|
All of his matches were played in the British Championship competition |
Venue Record
|
Venue |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
FTS
|
CS |
FAv |
AAv |
Pts% |
W/L |
|
Home |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
+1 |
0 |
1 |
1.00 |
0.00 |
100.0 |
+1 |
|
Away |
4 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
11 |
2 |
+9 |
0 |
2 |
2.75 |
0.50 |
87.5 |
+3 |
Opposition Record
|
Opposition |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
FTS
|
CS |
FAv |
AAv |
Pts% |
W/L |
|
Scotland |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
+1 |
0 |
1 |
1.00 |
0.50 |
75.0 |
+1 |
|
Wales |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
+4 |
0 |
2 |
2.00 |
0.00 |
100.0 |
+2 |
|
Ireland |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
1 |
+5 |
0 |
0 |
6.00 |
1.00 |
100.0 |
+1 |
Tournament Record
|
British Championship Competition |
|
Type |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
FTS |
CS |
FAv |
AAv |
Pts% |
W/L |
| BC 1908-09 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
=0 |
0 |
0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
=0 |
| BC 1909-10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
=0 |
0 |
0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
=0 |
| BC 1911-12 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
9 |
2 |
+7 |
0 |
1 |
2.00 |
0.667 |
83.3 |
+2 |
| BC 1912-13 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
+1 |
0 |
1 |
1.00 |
0.00 |
100.0 |
+1 |
| BC 1913-14 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
+2 |
0 |
1 |
2.00 |
0.00 |
100.0 |
+1 |
|
BC
All |
5 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
12 |
2 |
+10 |
0 |
3 |
2.20 |
0.40 |
90.0 |
+4 |
|
All Competition |
|
Type |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
FTS |
CS |
FAv |
AAv |
Pts% |
W/L |
| BC |
5 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
12 |
2 |
+10 |
0 |
3 |
2.20 |
0.40 |
90.0 |
+4 |
|
5 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
12 |
2 |
+10 |
0 |
3 |
2.2 |
0.4 |
90 |
+4 |
Match History
|
apps |
match |
match details |
comp |
res. |
rundown |
pos |
|
|
England
Football Online
,%20Tom.jpg)