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Players Index Page Last Updated
12 August 2025
 
 

Jesse Pennington

West Bromwich Albion FC

 25 appearances, 0 goals

P 25 W 16 D 5 L 4 F 76: A 32
74% successful
1907-20

captain: none
minutes played: 2250

Timeline
  Jesse Pennington
Birth Thursday, 23 August 1883 at 45 Maria Street, West Bromwich, Staffordshire
  registered in West Bromwich July-September 1883
 

According to the 1891 census, Jesse is the second of five children to William Henry Jesse and Mary Ann (née Sedgley). His father is a puddler. They live at 3 Dartmouth road in Smethwick.
 

According to the 1901 census, Jesse has another sibling and all six children, with their parents are now living at 65 St. George's Street in Smethwick. Jesse is a driver. His father is an ironworker.
Marriage to Nellie Florence Shuttleworth, on Monday, 19 February 1906 at St. Cuthbert's Church, Winson Green, Birmingham, both living at 35 Winson Street at the time.
  registered in Birmingham January-March 1906
  "Jesse Pennington, West Bromwich Albion's left-back, was married yesterday, and received the congratulations of his fellow players." - Birmingham Gazette, Tuesday, 20 February 1906
Children Jesse and Nellie Pennington have one son together. Jesse (b.15 May 1907)
 

According to the 1911 census, Jesse, a professional footballer, is now married to Nelly with one child, Jesse, and one servant. They live at 33 High Street in Smethwick.
"PENNINGTON'S BEREAVEMENT  Great sympathy will be felt with Jesse Pennington, the international full-back, in the loss he has sustained by the sudden death of his father, Mr William Henry Jesse Pennington, which took place at his residence, Great Arthur-street, Smethwick. Mr Pennington was present at the match at The Hawthorns on Saturday, and was apparently in his usual health. He was 57 years of age." - Northern Daily Telegraph, Tuesday, 21 April 1914
"FOOTBALL BRIBERY—Man Charged with Attempting to Bribe Jesse Pennington Sent for Trial.
Football League Division One
 West Bromwich Albion 1 Everton 1
 The Hawthorns, West Bromwich (15,000)
 Lewis ~ Nuttall

"The Smethwick magistrates on Thursday last were occupied with the further investigation of the alleged attempt to bribe Jesse Pennington, on occasion of the recent match with Everton. In the dock was Pascoe Bioletti, a middle-aged man, of gentlemanly appearance, who gave a London address. The charge against him was that on November 28 he, contrary to the Prevention of Corruption Act, corruptly agreed to give Jesse Pennington, an agent of the West Bromwich Albion Football Club Limited, the sum of £55 as an inducement for doing or forbearing to do an act in relation to his principal's business.
"...Outlining the case, Mr. J. S. Sharpe, an Albion director, said that on November 28, which was the eve of the match between West Bromwich Albion and Everton, at the Hawthorns, Mr. Jesse Pennington received a visit from a mysterious stranger, who turned to be the prisoner. He introduced himself as an Everton man, and said he was interested in the match, and Mr. Pennington began to 'smell a rat.' The prisoner ultimately suggested that Mr. Pennington and his fellow-players should ensure that the Albion either draw or lost the match, prisoner agreeing to pay £55, or £5 a man. Mr. Pennington adopted a very straightforward and clever course, urging the prisoner to put into writing what he said he would do. The prisoner thereupon wrote the following memorandum: 'I, Sam Johnston, agree to present Mr. Jesse Pennington 55 on the termination of the match played at West Bromwich on November 29 if the result is a draw or lose.' He signed the document 'Sam Johnston, 34 Cleveland-mansions, Brixton, London.' It was a clever ruse for Pennington to secure that memorandum, and the only marvel was that the prisoner's childlike simplicity should equal the audacity that he had displayed in the first instance in calling upon Pennington. Singularly enough that match in question resulted in a draw, and at the close the prisoner handed over the promised sum, being arrested later.
"...Although the prisoner had given the names of Frederick Pater and Sam Johnston, his real name was Pascoe Bioletti. He was the father of William Alfred Bioletti, who carried on a most extensive football betting business in Geneva, under the name of White Fisher." - The Illustrated Police News, Thursday, 18 December 1913

 "BIOLETTI'S TRIAL AT STAFFORDSHIRE ASSIZES
"At Staffordshire Assizes to-day Pascoe Bioletti, described as an actor, was indicted for corruptly agreeing to give Jesse Pennington, captain of West Bromwich Albion Football Club, £55 as an inducement for the team to lose or draw a football match. Mr. Vachell, K.C., and the Hon. R. Coventry appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Graham Milward and Mr. Lort Williams were for defendant...Prisoner was then charged with the offence of offering a bribe to Pennington, and he pleaded guilty...In passing sentence, his Lordship said defendant must have known that what he did was discreditable. Considering defendant's age and good character and the fact that he had been a month in prison, he was going to pass the lenient sentence of five months' imprisonment in the second division." - Birmingham Daily Post, Wednesday, 18 February 1914.
"LOCAL ROLL OF HONOUR


 		 Private Horace Pennington, youngest son of Mrs. Pennington, St. George Street, Smethwick, and brother of Mr. Jesse Pennington, the well-known footballer. He joined the colours about five months ago before he was 18, and had only been in France a month when he was killed. Another brother, Sergt. W. Pennington, has been awarded the Military Medal, and a third brother is with the R.G.A." - The Birmingham Mail, Saturday, 28 September 1918

According to the 1921 census, Jesse, still a professional footballer, still married and with one servant, they still live at 33 High Street.
According to British Phone Books, Jesse ran a cycle and outfitters shop at 33 High Street in Smethwick from at least 1921 until 1934. Tel. No. Smethwck 215, from 1931 it was SME 0215. Kelly's Directory confirms this from 1912 until at least 1933. The same directory puts Jesse in Shrawley, Worcestershire in 1936.
His mother died late-1934.
According to the 1939 register, Jesse, an RAF clerk, and Florence Nellie remain married and are now living at The Tanhouse, on the Worcester Road, in Titton, Stourport, near Droitwich.
"Golden Wedding  To Mr. & Mrs. JESSE PENNINGTON, of Titton, Stourport, congratulations and all good wishes from the Hayes and Wrights, of Crossway Green." - The Birmingham Gazette, Saturday, 18 February 1956.
"PERSONAL  MR. & MRS. Jesse Pennington
THANK all friends for kind thoughts and expressions on their Golden Wedding." - The Birmingham Post, Tuesday, 28 February 1956.
"SNOOKER  The former West Bromwich and England full-back, Jesse Pennington, now 78, was one of the winning pair in the over-70 snooker championship at Stourport Workmen's Club." - The Birmingham Post, Thursday, 27 October 1960.
  "Mrs. Nellie Florence Pennington, wife of the former West Bromwich Albion and England full back, Mr. Jesse Pennington, has died in hospital at Kidderminster, aged 81." - The Birmingham Post, Tuesday, 12 October 1965.
"86th birthday  Jesse Pennington, the Midlands 'grand old man of soccer' celebrates his 86th birthday today. The former Albion and England full-back, who now lives at Stourport, still attends most of Albion's home games." - The Birmingham Post, Saturday, 23 August 1969.
"ALBION TO HONOUR JESSE  Jesse Pennington, 86-year-old former Albion and England international full-back, has been made a life member of the club—an honour held by only two other people. The decision is subject to confirmation at the next annual meeting." - Express & Star, Thursday, 13 November 1969.
  According to British Phone Books, Jesse can be found at 3 Hazeldine, between 1968 and 1970. Tel No. Stourport 3917
Death Saturday, 5 September 1970 at Kidderminister General Hospital, Bewdley Road, Worcestershire, living at 3 Hazeldine on the Hartlebury Park estate in Stourport-on-Severn
aged 87 years 13 days registered in Kidderminster July-September 1970
"DEATHS  PENNINGTON. — Jesse, 3, Hazeldene, Stourport-on-Severn, passed peacefully away at Bewdley Road, Hospital, Kidderminister, on Saturday, September 5, 1970, aged 87 years..."
Obituary
"One of Albion 'greats'
 "One of West Bromwich Albion's all-time 'greats,' Jesse Pennington, has died in Kidderminster General Hospital after a long illness. He was 87. He and Bob Crompton (Blackburn Rovers) were automatic choices for full-back berths in the England team immediately before the first war. Pennington won 25 England caps and when he retired from the game in 1922, he had made 448 league and 39 cup appearances in the Albion squad. After selling a sports shop business in Smethwick, he retired to Stourport-on-Severn. Pennington was born in West Bromwich, but his early boyhood ambition was to play for Aston Villa."- Express & Star, Monday, 7 September 1970
 "Ex-Albion captain dies at 87
 "Mr. Jesse Pennington, a former captain of West Bromwich Albion, has died in Kidderminster General Hospital after a long illness. He was 87. One of the most colourful players in the history of the club, he won 21 caps for England, but never achieved the ambition of gaining an F.A. Cup winners' medal. A native of West Bromwich, he joined the Albion at the age of 19 in 1903, making his debut against Liverpool and finishing his career against the same club in 1922, on doctor's orders, He played 448 League and 39 F.A. Cup games in the Albion colours. Mr. Pennington was once instrumental in helping trap a man who offered five guineas each to the Albion team if they failed to win a certain League match. The man was arrested. He attended every League match he possibly could at The Hawthorns until ill health forced him to stop making the journey from his home at Hartlebury, near Stourport. In recognition of his great services to Albion Mr. Pennington was made a life member of the club. A widower, he leaves one son."- The Birmingham Post, Monday, 7 September 1970.
Funeral "...Funeral service at Stourbridge Crematorium on Thursday, September 10, 1970, at 12 noon. Flowers to J. Nevil-Butler Ltd., funeral directors, Stourport-on-Severn, on Stourbridge Crematorium." - The Birmingham Evening Mail, Tuesday & Wednesday, 8 & 9 September 1970
"Soccer's tribute to Mr. J.  Pennington
"Midland football paid its last tribute yesterday to Mr. Jesse Pennington, one of the notabilities of the game in the earlier part of the century, at his funeral at Stourbridge crematorium. Mr. J. W. Gaunt (chairman), Mr. S. R. Shepherd (vice-president) and Mr. T. W. Glidden, Mr. John Gordon and Mr. Tom Silk (directors), represented the Albion club. Stourport Urban Council was represented by the chairman, Mr. M. Bridgford, Mr. R. L. Nixon (clerk), and several members. Other organisations represented were Football Association, Worcestershire F.A., Worcestershire County Cricket Club and Stourport Workmen's Club, members of which acted as bearers." - The Birmingham Post, Friday, 11 September 1970
"PERSONAL  PENNINGTON, JESSE — The Family wish to Thank all relatives and friends, and also the West  Bromwich Albion Football Club, the Football Association, and the Worcester Football Association, for kind sympathy and floral tributes received in their sad loss." - The Birmingham Evening Mail, Saturday, 12 September 1970
"Money stolen in church  Money was stolen from the offertory plate in St. Michael's Parish Church, Stourport, yesterday afternoon at the end of the memorial service to Jesse Pennington. The vicar, the Rev. John Castle, said the plate, holding 30s., had been concealed during the service but had apparently been found. He had seen two youths at the end of the service and chased them through the churchyard but was unable to stop them." - The Express and Star, Thursday, 17 September 1970
Probate "PENNINGTON Jesse of 3 Hazeldine Hartlebury Park estate Stourport-on-Severn Worcs died 5 September 1970 Probate Birmingham 15 October. £9831." [2025 equivalent: £135,126].
Source

Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990] &

Playing Career

Club(s)		 Played schoolboy football in and around Smethwick. As a junior, he founded and played for Summit Star FC, also played for Smethwick Centaur FC and Langey Villa FC, during which he signed amateur forms with Aston Villa FC. He turned out for Langley St. Michael's FC and Dudley Town FC, before West Bromwich Albion FC signed Pennington in April 1903, originally as an amateur. Pennington was on the verge of signing for Tottenham Hotspur FC in February 1911 after a pay dispute. But as announcements were being drafted, the deal fell through. Pennington made a promise that he would assist Birmingham FC during the war.

"Acting on medical advice, Jesse Pennington, the Captain of West Bromwich Albion, has decided to retire from football. He has played for the Albion nineteen seasons, and has annexed nearly all the honours the game can offer." - The Grantham Journal, Saturday, 12 August 1922
League honours
455 appearances		 West Bromwich Albion FC 1903-22 455 appearances
debut: 26 September 1903 Liverpool FC 1 West Bromwich Albion FC 3.
last: 6 May 1922 West Bromwich Albion FC 1 Liverpool FC 4.

Club honours		 Football League Division Two third place 1908-09 (35ᵃ), winners 1910-11 (33ᵃ), Division One Champions 1919-20 (37ᵃ);
FA Cup runners-up 1911-12 (8ᵃ);
FA Charity Shield winners 1920;
Individual honours None
Distinctions Pennington will be forever remembered as the Albion Captain that handed Barnsley FA Cup glory on 24 April 1912. He remained the ultimate sportsman, when he could have fouled Barnsley's Harry Tufnell in the last minute of extra-time, and prevented him running off to score the winning goal.
Height/Weight 5' 8", 11st. 7lbs [1910].
Source

Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990].

England Career
Player number One of four who became the 326th players (326) to appear for England.
Position(s) Left-back
First match No. 90, 18 March 1907, England 1 Wales 1, a British Championship match at Craven Cottage, New Road, Fulham, London, aged 23 years 207 days.
Last match No. 122, 10 April 1920, England 5 Scotland 4, a British Championship match at Hillsborough, Owlerton, Sheffield, aged 36 years 231 daysᶜ.
Major tournaments British Championship 1906-07, 1907-08, 1908-09, 1909-10, 1910-11, 1911-12, 1912-13, 1913-14;
Team honours British Championship shared 1907-08, 1911-12, winners 1908-09, 1910-11, 1912-13;
Individual honours The North (reserve in January 1908);
The Whites (three appearances, 2ᶜ January 1910-January 1912);
England Trial (five appearances, 1ᶜ November 1912-February 1920, withdrew in January 1913);
The Professionals (withdrew in October 1913)
Distinctions The oldest outfield player to captain England when he did so in 1921, and only second overall to Alec Morten until 1986 when Peter Shilton was captain.
Died 21 days after Dan Tremelling

Beyond England
After he retired from playing in August 1922, he spent the ensuing season serving as club coach. He then served Kidderminster Harriers FC as a coach up until 1925, and then scouted for Wolverhampton Wanderers FC from 1938, whilst also a coach at Malvern College. Scouted for West Bromwich Albion FC until 1960, after which he served the club as a life member. Worked as a poultry farmer outside the game. - An English Football Internationalists' Who's Who. Douglas Lamming (1990). Hatton Press, p.196.


The Numbers
parties Appearances comp. apps minutes captain
28 25 21 2250 0 2
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
25 16 5 4 76 32 +44 2 6 3.04 1.28 74 +12

Venue Record
  
Venue P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
Home 12 7 3 2 23 16 +7 1 4 1.917 1.333 70.8 +5
Away 13 9 2 2 53 16 +37 1 2 4.077 1.231 76.9 +7

Competition Record

Competition P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
British Championship 21 12 5 4 45 26 +19 2 6 2.143 1.238 69.0 +8
Friendly 4 4 0 0 31 6 +25 0 0 7.75 1.50 100.0 +4

Opposition Record
  
Opposition P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
Scotland 9 3 4 2 13 13 =0 1 2 1.444 1.444 55.6 +1
Wales 8 6 1 1 21 7 +14 0 4 2.625 0.875 81.3 +5
Ireland 4 3 0 1 11 6 +5 1 0  2.75 1.50 75.0 +2
Hungary 2 2 0 0 12 4 +8 0 0  6.00 2.00 100.0 +2
Austria 2 2 0 0 19 2 +17 0 0  9.50 1.00 100.0 +2

Captain Record
Venue P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
Home 2 1 0 1 6 6 =0 0 0 3.00 3.00 50.0 =0
2 1 0 1 6 6 =0 0 0 3 3 50 =0

Tournament Record

British Championship Competition
BC 1906-07 2 0 2 0 2 2 =0 0 0 1.00 1.00 50.0 =0
BC 1907-08 3 2 1 0 11 3 +8 0 0 2.667 1.00 83.3 +2
BC 1908-09 2 2 0 0 4 0 +4 0 2 2.00 0.00 100.0 +2
BC 1909-10 2 1 0 1 1 2 =0 1 1 0.50 1.00 50.0 =0
BC 1910-11 3 2 1 0 6 2 +4 0 1 2.00 0.667 83.3 +2
BC 1911-12 3 2 1 0 9 2 +7 0 1 3.00 0.667 83.3 +2
BC 1912-13 2 2 0 0 5 3 +2 0 1 2.50 1.50 100.0 +2
BC 1913-14 2 0 0 2 1 6 -5 1 0 0.50 3.00 0.00 -2
BC 1919-20 2 1 0 1 6 6 =0 0 0 3.00 3.00 50.0 =0
BC All 21 12 5 4 45 26 +19 2 6 2.143 1.238 69.0 +8

All Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
BC 21 12 5 4 45 26 +19 2 6 2.143 1.238 69.0 +8
21 12 5 4 45 26 +19 2 6 2.143 1.238 69 +8

Match History

 Club: West Bromwich Albion F.C. - 25 full appearances (2250 min) F.A. International Select Committee - 25 full appearances (2250 min)x

apps match match details comp res. rundown pos

Age 23
1 90 18 March 1907 - England 1 Wales 1
 Craven Cottage, Fulham		 BC HD   lb

one of four who became the 326th player (326) to appear for England
the thirteenth player from West Bromwich Albion FC to represent England

2 91 6 April 1907 - England 1 Scotland 1
St. James' Park, Newcastle upon Tyne		 BC HD   lb

Age 24 trial  
reserve - The North vs. The South, 27 January 1908;

3 92 15 February 1908 - Ireland 1 England 3
Solitude Ground, Belfast		 BC AW   lb
4 93 16 March 1908 - Wales 1 England 7
Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff		 BC AW   lb
5 94 4 April 1908 - Scotland 1 England 1
Hampden Park, Glasgow		 BC AD   lb
95 6 June 1908 - Austria 1 England 6, Cricketer Platz, Wien
tour		 AW reserve
6 96 8 June 1908 - Austria 1 England 11
Hohe Warte Stadion, Wien		 AW   lb
97 10 June 1908 - Hungary 0 England 7, Millenáris Sportpálya, Buda-pesth AW reserve
98 13 June 1908 - Bohemia 0 England 4, Stadión Letná, Praha AW reserve
 
Age 25
99 13 February 1909 - England 4 Ireland 0, Horton Park Avenue, Bradford BC HW reserve
7 100 15 March 1909 - England 2 Wales 0
 City Ground, Nottingham		 BC HW   lb
8 101 3 April 1909 - England 2 Scotland 0
Sports Arena, Crystal Palace		 BC HW   lb
9 102 29 May 1909 - Hungary 2 England 4
Millenáris Sportpálya, Buda-pesth
tour		 AW   lb
10 103 31 May 1909 - Hungary 2 England 8
Millenáris Sportpálya, Buda-pesth		 AW   lb
11 104 1 June 1909 - Austria 1 England 8
 Hohe Warte Stadion, Wien		 AW   lb
 

Age 26 trial  
one appearance - The Whitesᶜ vs. The Stripes, 31 January 1910;
 
12 106 14 March 1910 - Wales 0 England 1
Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff		 BC AW   lb
13 107 2 April 1910 - Scotland 2 England 0
Hampden Park, Glasgow		 BC AL lb
 
Age 27 trial  
one appearance - The Whitesᶜ vs. The Stripes, 23 January 1911;

14 108 11 February 1911 - England 2 Ireland 1
Baseball Ground, Derby		 BC HW   lb
15 109 13 March 1911 - England 3 Wales 0
The Den, New Cross		 BC HW   lb
16 110 1 April 1911 - England 1 Scotland 1
Goodison Park, Liverpool		 BC HD   lb
 
Age 28 trial  
one appearance - The Whites▼ vs. The Stripes, 22 January 1912;

17 111 10 February 1912 - Ireland 1 England 6
Dalymount Park, Dublin		 BC AW   lb
18 112 11 March 1912 - Wales 0 England 2
The Racecourse, Wrexham		 BC AW   lb
19 113 23 March 1912 - Scotland 1 England 1
Hampden Park, Glasgow		 BC AD   lb

Age 29 trial  
one appearance - The South vs. England, November 1912;
injured and replaced for the January 1913 fixture vs. The North

114 15 February 1913 - Ireland 2 England 1, Windsor Park, Belfast BC AL withdrew injured
20 115 17 March 1913 - England 4 Wales 3
Ashton Gate. Bedminster		 BC HW   lb
21 116 5 April 1913 - England 1 Scotland 0
Stamford Bridge, Fulham		 BC HW   lb

Age 30 trial  
two appearances - The South vs. England, November 1913; The North vs. England, January 1914;

22 117 14 February 1914 - England 0 Ireland 3
Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough		 BC HL   lb
118 16 March 1914 - Wales 0 England 2, Ninian Park, Cardiff BC AW withdrew injured
23 119 4 April 1914 - Scotland 3 England 1
Hampden Park, Glasgow		 BC AL   lb
 

Age 36 trial  
two appearances - The South vs. England, The South vs. Englandᶜ, February 1920;

24 121 15 March 1920 - England 1 Wales 2
Arsenal Stadium, Highbury		 BC HL   ᶜlb

the 36th player (oldest outfield) to captain England

25 122 10 April 1920 - England 5 Scotland 4
Hillsborough, Sheffield		 BC HW   ᶜlb
 

remains the oldest outfield player to captain England


  

 
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