Alf Littlehales
Encyclopedia
Alfred "Alf" Littlehales (1867 – 18 November 1942) was an English professional footballer who played at centre-half
for Southampton
in the 1890s.
and started his football career with Wolverhampton Wanderers
, before joining Stoke in August 1892.
On 26 April 1893, he was part of the Stoke team which visited the County Ground
to play a friendly match against Southampton St Mary's
. Even with the future founder of football in Brazil
, Charles Miller
playing at outside-left, the "Saints" were "outplayed fairly and squarely on every point", losing 8–0. Despite the result, it was reported that the spectators "thoroughly enjoyed the exhibition" and looked forward to witnessing "more matches of a similar character" in future. Also playing for Stoke were Charles Baker
, Lachie Thomson
and Willie Naughton
, all of whom were to move to Southampton within two years.
In 1894, Southampton St Mary's were one of the nine founder members of the Southern League
, which had been created to enable clubs in southern England who were not admitted to the Football League
, to play competitive football on a regular basis. For the start of their League career, Saints signed several new players on professional contracts, including Baker, Littlehales and Thomson from Stoke and Fred Hollands
from Millwall
.
Prior to the start of the new season, Littlehales was interviewed by the local sporting weekly, "Southern Referee" — although he confessed to knowing little "from actual experience" about any of the Southern League opponents, he did not "expect to lose much; not down here at any rate. I'm certain we shall make them all go". He made his Southampton debut in their inaugural Southern League match, a 3–1 victory over Chatham played at the Antelope Ground
on 6 October 1894. Described as "clever on the ball and the owner of a hard shot", Littlehales was ever-present in the League as Saints finished the 1894–95 season
in third place. In the FA Cup, Saints reached the First Round proper for the first time, where they were drawn against Nottingham Forest
, going down 4–1 to the Football League First Division
side.
In the 1895–96 season
, Littlehales missed only one League match, scoring four goals with Saints again finishing in third place. As in the previous year, they also reached the First Round proper of the FA Cup, where they again met Football League opposition when they were defeated 3–2 by The Wednesday.
Littlehales missed three matches at the start of the 1896–97 season
, with Harry Haynes
taking over. He returned on 7 November, playing at centre-forward, scoring twice in an 8–3 victory over New Brompton. He retained his place for the rest of the season, scoring five goals as the Saints claimed the Southern League title for the first of six occasions over the next eight years. Littlehales was ever-present in the FA Cup where the Saints reached the Second Round proper, losing 3–1 to Newton Heath
after a replay.
Littlehales' final match for the Saints came in the first match of the 1897–98 season
, a 2–0 defeat at Tottenham
, following which he lost his place to new signing Arthur Chadwick
. In January 1898, he was rewarded with a benefit match against Eastleigh
and retired at the end of the season. In his three full seasons with the Saints, Littlehales had made 68 appearances, including 17 in the FA Cup, scoring 12 goals.
Following his retirement, he settled in the Bevois Town area of Southampton
and died in the city on 18 November 1942.
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
for Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
in the 1890s.
Football career
Littlehales was born in Wellington, ShropshireWellington, Shropshire
Wellington is a town in the unitary authority of Telford and Wrekin and ceremonial county of Shropshire, England and now forms part of the new town of Telford. The population of the parish of Wellington was recorded as 20,430 in the 2001 census, making it the third largest town in Shropshire if...
and started his football career with Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
, before joining Stoke in August 1892.
On 26 April 1893, he was part of the Stoke team which visited the County Ground
County Ground, Southampton
The County Ground in Southampton, England was a former cricket and football ground. It was the home of Hampshire County Cricket Club from the 1885 English cricket season until the 2000 English cricket season...
to play a friendly match against Southampton St Mary's
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
. Even with the future founder of football in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, Charles Miller
Charles William Miller
Charles William Miller was a Brazilian sportsman, who is considered to be the father of football in Brazil.-Early life:...
playing at outside-left, the "Saints" were "outplayed fairly and squarely on every point", losing 8–0. Despite the result, it was reported that the spectators "thoroughly enjoyed the exhibition" and looked forward to witnessing "more matches of a similar character" in future. Also playing for Stoke were Charles Baker
Charles Baker (footballer)
Charles Baker was an English professional footballer who played as an inside forward in Southampton's inaugural season in the Southern League.-Playing career:...
, Lachie Thomson
Lachie Thomson
W.J.G. "Lachie" Thomson was an English professional footballer who played as a defender for Stoke in the Football League before joining Southampton St Mary's for the inaugural Southern League season in 1894.-Stoke:...
and Willie Naughton
Willie Naughton
William A. "Willie" Naughton was a Scottish professional footballer, who played as an outside-forward for various clubs in Scotland and England in the 1880s and 1890s, including Celtic, Stoke and Southampton...
, all of whom were to move to Southampton within two years.
In 1894, Southampton St Mary's were one of the nine founder members of the Southern League
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
, which had been created to enable clubs in southern England who were not admitted to the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
, to play competitive football on a regular basis. For the start of their League career, Saints signed several new players on professional contracts, including Baker, Littlehales and Thomson from Stoke and Fred Hollands
Fred Hollands
Frederick George "Fred" Hollands was an English professional footballer who played as an outside-forward for Millwall Athletic and Southampton St Mary's in the 1890s.-Football career:...
from Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
.
Prior to the start of the new season, Littlehales was interviewed by the local sporting weekly, "Southern Referee" — although he confessed to knowing little "from actual experience" about any of the Southern League opponents, he did not "expect to lose much; not down here at any rate. I'm certain we shall make them all go". He made his Southampton debut in their inaugural Southern League match, a 3–1 victory over Chatham played at the Antelope Ground
Antelope Ground
The Antelope Ground, Southampton was a sports ground that was the first home of both Hampshire County Cricket Club, who played there prior to 1884, and of Southampton Football Club, who played there from 1887 to 1896 as "Southampton St...
on 6 October 1894. Described as "clever on the ball and the owner of a hard shot", Littlehales was ever-present in the League as Saints finished the 1894–95 season
1894–95 Southampton St. Mary's F.C. season
The 1894–95 season was the tenth since the foundation of Southampton St. Mary's F.C. and their first in league football, being founder members of the Southern League....
in third place. In the FA Cup, Saints reached the First Round proper for the first time, where they were drawn against Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
, going down 4–1 to the Football League First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
side.
In the 1895–96 season
Southern Football League 1895-96
The 1895-96 season was the second in the history of the Southern League. Millwall Athletic won Division One for the second successive season.-Division One:...
, Littlehales missed only one League match, scoring four goals with Saints again finishing in third place. As in the previous year, they also reached the First Round proper of the FA Cup, where they again met Football League opposition when they were defeated 3–2 by The Wednesday.
Littlehales missed three matches at the start of the 1896–97 season
Southern Football League 1896-97
The 1896-97 season was the third in the history of the Southern League. Southampton St.Mary's won the Division One championship.-Division One:Division One featured five new clubs:*Gravesend United *Northfleet...
, with Harry Haynes
Harry Haynes
Harry Haynes was an English footballer who played as a full back for Wolverhampton Wanderers, Small Heath and Southampton in the 1890s.-Midlands:...
taking over. He returned on 7 November, playing at centre-forward, scoring twice in an 8–3 victory over New Brompton. He retained his place for the rest of the season, scoring five goals as the Saints claimed the Southern League title for the first of six occasions over the next eight years. Littlehales was ever-present in the FA Cup where the Saints reached the Second Round proper, losing 3–1 to Newton Heath
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
after a replay.
Littlehales' final match for the Saints came in the first match of the 1897–98 season
Southern Football League 1897-98
The 1897–98 season was the fourth in the history of the Southern League. Southampton won the Division One championship for the second successive season.-Division One:Division One featured one new club, Bristol City, who were newly-elected....
, a 2–0 defeat at Tottenham
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
, following which he lost his place to new signing Arthur Chadwick
Arthur Chadwick
Arthur Chadwick was a professional footballer whose playing career included spells at Portsmouth and Southampton, before going on to be manager at Exeter City, Reading and Southampton...
. In January 1898, he was rewarded with a benefit match against Eastleigh
Eastleigh F.C.
Eastleigh Football Club is an English semi-professional football club based in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The club are currently members of the Conference South and play at the Silverlake Stadium.-History:...
and retired at the end of the season. In his three full seasons with the Saints, Littlehales had made 68 appearances, including 17 in the FA Cup, scoring 12 goals.
Following his retirement, he settled in the Bevois Town area of Southampton
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
and died in the city on 18 November 1942.
Honours
SouthamptonSouthampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
- Southern LeagueSouthern Football LeagueThe Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
champions: 1896–97Southern Football League 1896-97The 1896-97 season was the third in the history of the Southern League. Southampton St.Mary's won the Division One championship.-Division One:Division One featured five new clubs:*Gravesend United *Northfleet...
& 1898–99Southern Football League 1898-99The 1898-99 season was the fifth in the history of the Southern League. Southampton were Division One champions for the third season in a row. Division Two was split into two regional leagues, with the overall Division Two champions being decided in a playoff in which Thames Ironworks defeated...