Bob Jefferson
Encyclopedia
Robert William "Bob" Jefferson (born 1882) was an English
professional football player and manager.
in 1882. He left school to join the Royal Navy
, before deserting after a few weeks to become an apprentice moulder at a foundry back in Sunderland. At this time, he began playing junior football with local team Sunderland Royal Rovers, before becoming a professional footballer.
, but could play at any forward or wing position.
He began his professional career at Bradford City
in November 1904, scoring six goals in 30 appearances in the Football League
over the next two seasons. Jefferson joined local rivals Leeds City in May 1906, scoring on his debut against Leicester Fosse
. By May 1908, Jefferson had moved to Swindon Town
along with former-Leeds players Harry Kay and Jack Lavery. Jefferson was to remain with the Wiltshire club for the next fourteen years, despite his career being disrupted by World War I
. At Swindon, Jefferson made 356 appearances in all competitions, scoring 82 goals. His spell at Swindon included an appearance in the 1911 FA Charity Shield
, and eleven appearances for the Southern Football League
representative team. Jefferson also scored in Swindon's first ever game in the Football League
, in a 9-1 victory against Luton Town
. In total, Jefferson made 321 appearances in the Football League
and the Southern Football League
between 1904 and 1922, scoring 78 goals.
In May 1922 Jefferson joined non-League team Bath City
, where he ended his playing career two years later.
After retiring as a player, Jefferson coached Dutch team Vitesse from 1924 to 1927.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional football player and manager.
Early life
Robert William Jefferson was born in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, Tyne and WearTyne and Wear
Tyne and Wear is a metropolitan county in north east England around the mouths of the Rivers Tyne and Wear. It came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972...
in 1882. He left school to join the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, before deserting after a few weeks to become an apprentice moulder at a foundry back in Sunderland. At this time, he began playing junior football with local team Sunderland Royal Rovers, before becoming a professional footballer.
Career
Jefferson played primarily as an outside rightOutside forward
Outside forward is a position in association football which refers to a footballer who plays as an advanced forward on the right or left wing - as an outside right or outside left. Typically as part of a 2-3-5 formation or one of its variants...
, but could play at any forward or wing position.
He began his professional career at Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
in November 1904, scoring six goals in 30 appearances in 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...
over the next two seasons. Jefferson joined local rivals Leeds City in May 1906, scoring on his debut against Leicester Fosse
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
. By May 1908, Jefferson had moved to Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
along with former-Leeds players Harry Kay and Jack Lavery. Jefferson was to remain with the Wiltshire club for the next fourteen years, despite his career being disrupted by World War I
Association football during World War I
When World War I was declared in 1914, it had a negative effect on association football; in some countries competitions were suspended and players signed up to fight, resulting in the deaths of many players...
. At Swindon, Jefferson made 356 appearances in all competitions, scoring 82 goals. His spell at Swindon included an appearance in the 1911 FA Charity Shield
1911 FA Charity Shield
The 1911 FA Charity Shield was the fourth Charity Shield, an annual football match contested by the winners of the previous season's Football League and Southern League competitions. The match was played on 25 September 1911 between Manchester United, winners of the 1910–11 Football League, and...
, and eleven appearances for the Southern Football 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...
representative team. Jefferson also scored in Swindon's first ever game in 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...
, in a 9-1 victory against Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
. In total, Jefferson made 321 appearances in 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...
and the Southern Football 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...
between 1904 and 1922, scoring 78 goals.
In May 1922 Jefferson joined non-League team Bath City
Bath City F.C.
Bath City Football Club are a semi-professional football club based in Bath, Somerset. They play in the Conference National league after gaining promotion from the Conference South via the play-offs in May 2010...
, where he ended his playing career two years later.
After retiring as a player, Jefferson coached Dutch team Vitesse from 1924 to 1927.