Percy Thorpe

Percy Thorpe (18 July 1899 – 1972) was an English footballer who played at right-back for Sutton Town, Blackpool, Connah's Quay & Shotton, Reading, Sheffield United, West Ham United, Accrington Stanley, and Port Vale.

Percy Thorpe
Personal information
Date of birth (1899-07-18)18 July 1899[1]
Place of birth Nottingham, England[1]
Date of death 1972 (aged 72–73)
Position(s) Right-back
Youth career
Sutton Town
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1924–1928 Blackpool 113 (5)
1928 Connah's Quay & Shotton
1928–1929 Reading 72 (0)
1930–1932 Sheffield United 103 (0)
1933 West Ham United 3 (0)
1934 Accrington Stanley 2 (0)
1934–1935 Port Vale 1 (0)
Total 294+ (5+)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

Thorpe signed for Frank Buckley's Blackpool prior to the start of the 1924–25 season after leaving non-League Sutton Town. He made his debut for the club in the opening League game, a single-goal victory at Clapton Orient on 30 August.[2] He went on to make a further eleven league appearances that campaign, the majority of which were spent at centre-half; however, he did play up front alongside the prolific Harry Bedford for one game, in the absence of Matt Barrass.[2]

In 1925–26, Thorpe made thirty Second Division appearances and scored three goals. He spent the majority of that campaign at right full-back, but also switched to the left side briefly. He scored his first goal for Blackpool in a 3–2 Boxing Day victory over Chelsea at Bloomfield Road. It came from the penalty spot, as did his other two goals.[3] Thorpe appeared in 38 of Blackpool's 42 league games of 1926–27. He scored two goals – one a penalty, the other from open play.[4] Sydney Beaumont succeeded Frank Buckley as manager for the 1927–28 campaign, and Beaumont gave 33 starts to Thorpe, in what was his final season with the club. His final appearance for Blackpool occurred in the final game of the season, a 4–0 home victory over Fulham on 5 May.[5]

After leaving Blackpool, Thorpe joined Connah's Quay & Shotton, before returning to the Second Division with Reading. He joined Sheffield United in 1930. The "Blades" finished 15th in the First Division in 1930–31, seventh in 1931–32, and tenth in 1932–33. In three years at Bramall Lane, he scored 24 goals in 114 league and cup competitions.

He later had brief spells with West Ham United and Accrington Stanley, before he finished his career at Port Vale.[1] He signed as a 35-year-old in November 1934 and made his final footballing appearance on 19 November at The Old Recreation Ground in a goalless draw against the club with which he made his name – Blackpool.[1] He retired at the end of the 1934–35 season.[1]

Career statistics

Source:[6]

Club Season Division League FA Cup Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Blackpool 1924–25 Second Division 12000120
1925–26 Second Division 30310313
1926–27 Second Division 38210392
1927–28 Second Division 33000330
Total 1135201155
Reading 1928–29 Second Division 34000340
1929–30 Second Division 38010390
Total 72010730
Sheffield United 1930–31 First Division 38040420
1931–32 First Division 33020350
1932–33 First Division 32020340
Total 1030801110
West Ham United 1933–34 Second Division 300030
Accrington Stanley 1934–35 Third Division North 200020
Port Vale 1934–35 Second Division 100010
Career total 29451103055

References
General
  • Calley, Roy (1992). Blackpool: A Complete Record 1887–1992. Breedon Books Sport. ISBN 1-873626-07-X.
  • Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888–1939. ISBN 1-899468-67-6.
Specific
  1. Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. p. 290. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0. ASIN 0952915200.
  2. Calley, p. 224
  3. Calley, p. 226
  4. Calley, p. 228
  5. Calley, p. 230
  6. Percy Thorpe at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
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