Frederick Groves (footballer, born 1891)

Frederick William Groves (13 January 1891 – 1965) was an English professional football forward, who played in the Football League for Brighton & Hove Albion, Arsenal, Glossop and Charlton Athletic.[1] He made over 130 appearances for Arsenal in wartime football.[2]

For the Huddersfield Town, Sheffield United and Pontypridd player, see Frederick Groves (footballer, born 1892).

Freddie Groves
Personal information
Full name Frederick William Groves[1]
Date of birth (1891-01-13)13 January 1891
Place of birth Shadwell, England
Date of death 1965 (aged 73–74)
Position(s) Outside right, inside right
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Barnet & Alston
1911 Glossop 9 (0)
1912–1921 Woolwich Arsenal 50 (6)
1916 → Brentford (guest) 1 (0)
1921–1923 Brighton & Hove Albion 53 (2)
1924 Charlton Athletic 7 (0)
Dartford
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Life and career

Born in Shadwell, London, Groves played as a forward, either as inside forward or centre forward. He started his career at Glossop before moving to Woolwich Arsenal as an amateur in August 1912, turning professional in October 1913. He made his debut against Derby County on 7 December 1912, playing three games in Woolwich Arsenal's relegation season of 1912–13, after which they moved to Arsenal Stadium in north London and dropped the "Woolwich" from their name.[3]

He continued to be a bit-part player in the two seasons Arsenal spent in the Football League Second Division, playing just five games in two years. After first-class football was suspended for the First World War, Groves found more chances to play in the side in wartime games, and made 133 appearances in wartime matches for Arsenal, and was a semi-regular on the resumption of League football in 1919–20, playing 29 League games that season (as Arsenal had since been elected to the First Division). He played another 13 the following season, before leaving the club in August 1921; in total he played 53 games in League and FA Cup for Arsenal, scoring seven goals.[3]

He saw out his career, firstly at Brighton & Hove Albion for three years, and then Charlton Athletic in 1924–25.[3]

Career statistics
Club Season League FA Cup Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Arsenal 1912–13[4] First Division 3 0 0 0 3 0
1913–14[4] Second Division 3 0 1 0 4 0
1914–15[4] 2 0 0 0 2 0
1919–20[4] First Division 29 5 2 1 31 6
1920–21[4] 13 1 0 0 13 1
Career total 50 6 3 1 53 7

References
  1. Joyce, Michael (2012). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: Tony Brown. p. 120. ISBN 978-1-905891-61-0.
  2. "Fred Groves". www.arsenal.com. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  3. Harris, Jeff (1995). Hogg, Tony (ed.). Arsenal Who's Who. London: Independent UK Sports. p. 74. ISBN 978-1-899429-03-5.
  4. "Frederick William Groves". 11v11.com. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
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