Albert Aldridge

Albert James Aldridge (4 August 1863 – 22 June 1891) was an English footballer who played as a full back.[1] He was born in Walsall, won the FA Cup in 1888 and played twice for the England national team.

Albert Aldridge
Personal information
Full name Albert James Aldridge
Date of birth (1863-08-04)4 August 1863
Place of birth Walsall, England
Date of death 22 June 1891(1891-06-22) (aged 27)
Place of death Walsall, England
Position(s) Full back
Youth career
1881–1885 Walsall Swifts
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1885–1886 Walsall Swifts
1886–1888 West Bromwich Albion
1888–1889 Walsall Town Swifts
1889–1891 Aston Villa 17 (0)
International career
1888–1889 England 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

Aldridge started his career as a youth player at hometown club Walsall Swifts, where he spent six seasons (five as a youth player and one as a senior player). He played in nine FA Cup ties and scored one goal, in a third round win over Mitchell St George's in January 1885.[2]

In March 1886 Aldridge moved to West Bromwich Albion where he earned his first cap for England in a British Home Championship match against Ireland in Belfast.[1] He had great success in the FA Cup while at West Bromwich Albion, helping them reach the final in 1887, and to win the trophy in 1888 by beating the much-fancied Preston North End in the final.[3]

Despite his cup heroics, Aldridge moved back to the newly merged Walsall Town Swifts during that summer. He played in 13 matches in the Midland Association for the "Saddlers" in 1888–89[2] and earned his second, and final, England cap in a match against Ireland in the British Home Championship at Anfield.[1] Aldridge was the second player to play for England while at Walsall, after Alf Jones who appeared for the national side while playing for Walsall Swifts in 1882.[4]

Season 1889–90

In August 1889 Aldridge joined Aston Villa, where he made 17 appearances in the Football League as Villa finished eighth. His club and League debut was on 7 September 1889 at Wellington Road, Perry Barr, when Burnley were the visitors. The Cricket and Football Field of 7 September reported on the match. It was 1–1 at half-time and 2–2 at full-time. Aldridge played at left-back. Aldridge got a couple of mentions as he did some good defensive work. His last match was on 28 December 1889 when Villa travelled to the County Ground, Derby. Aldridge played in a less familiar position, right-back. Aston Villa lost 5-0. The "poor health" referred to in Matthews' book meant he missed the rest of the season. Villa kept Aldridge on the books until April 1891, a few months before he died.[5][6][7][8]

Death

Aldridge died on 22 June 1891 at his home in Walsall, due to poor health. He was only 27 years old.[1][9]

Honours

West Bromwich Albion

References
  1. "Albert Aldridge". England Football Online. Chris Goodwin & Glen Isherwood. 19 February 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  2. Matthews, Tony (1999). The Complete Record of Walsall Football Club. Breedon Books. ISBN 1-85983-156-7.
  3. Campbell, Darren (24 March 2015). "West Brom nostalgia: When Albion defied the odds for FA Cup glory". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  4. Simpson, Ray (2007). The Clarets Chronicles: The Definitive History of Burnley Football Club 1882–2007. Burnley Football Club. ISBN 978-0-9557468-0-2.
  5. Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888–1939. Tony Brown. p. 7. ISBN 1-899468-67-6.
  6. Matthews, Tony (2004). Who's Who of Aston Villa. Mainstream Publishing. p. 12. ISBN 1-84018-821-9.
  7. "Player search: Aldridge, AJ (Albert)". English National Football Archive. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  8. "Aston Villa v. Burnley". The Cricket and Football Field. 7 September 1889. p. 4 – via The British Newspaper Archive.
  9. Matthews, Tony (2004). Who's Who of Aston Villa. Mainstream Publishing. p. 7. ISBN 1-84018-821-9.

Albert Aldridge at Englandstats.com

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