jack alderson

Goalkeeper Jack Alderson had a very illustious career with Sheffield United and Crystal Palace, playing over 375 games in the Football League as well as being listed amongst the Eagles top three choice keepers during their centenary year - he also represented his country...

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Dob: 28 November 1891
Died: 17 February 1972, Sunderland
Pob: Crook, Co Durham
Position: Goalkeeper

Career:: Player: Crook Town, Shildon Amateurs, Middlesbrough (1912-13), Newcastle United (1913-19, 1 (0) + 0), Crystal Palace (1919-23, 205 (0) + 0), Pontypridd (1923-25), Sheffield United (1925-29, 137 (0) +0), Exeter City (1929-30, 36(0) + 0), Crook Town (1932-34). Manager: Crook Town

Jack Alderson began his football career in his home-town of Crook which was followed by a spell at Shildon Amateurs until Middlesbrough signed the keeper in close season of 1912.

While at Ayresome Park the future one cap wonder was an amateur as he was unable to make the grade. He finally turned professional when Newcastle United bought Alderson for £30.

In January 1913 he made his Football League debut in the Magpies victory over Woolwich Arsenal (3-1), though unfortunately for Alderson it was to be his only appearance due to the outbreak of First World War.

He was posted to Woolwich during the War and in January 1919 signed for Crystal Palace in a £50 fee, he made his debut in the London War League when the Eagles were thumped 6-1 by rivals Brentford, though despite such a disappointing debut he quickly became something of a legend.

When the league resumed in 1919 Palace become one of the founder members of the newly formed Football League Division Three; he failed to miss a league game until 1922 and was ever present when Crystal Palace lifted Division Three (South) title in 1920-21. His amazing talent was to stop penalties; he historically saved 11 out of 12 spot kicks, including two in a game against Bradford City at their Valley Parade Ground.

Alderson left the Eagles in 1923 after a pay dispute, but this was after he won his first and only international cap when England beat France 2-1 in May 1923. He signed for non-league side Pontypridd before making the move to Bramall Lane in 1925.

The Blades had won the FA Cup that year after beating Cardiff City (1-0) in the final, but it was deemed that regular keeper Charles Sutcliffe wasn't a suitable shot stopper and a replacement was much needed. This was sanctioned by the United Committee that a player could be found for £500 if said player was aged fewer than 30.

Alderson was aged over 30 at the time of signing but then manager John Nicholson was impressed by his style and paid Palace, whom still held his registration the transfer fee.

He played 122 league games for United (137 in total) before Exeter City allowed him to make 36 appearances, he would have made more but injury forced him to retire. After that he joined Torquay United's training staff and then was Assistant at Worcester City (1931-32) until he was player-coach at Crook Town.

In 2005, Crystal Palace celebrated their centenary year with Alderson named as their third best 'all time' shot stopper behind winner Nigel Martyn and runner-up John Jackson.

Edited: 5 April 2010