Frank Jordan (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Frank Jordan was an English professional footballer who played at inside-left for several clubs during the years prior to World War I
.
and educated at Bevois Town school, before joining Southampton
in 1905. After a year of reserve team
football, Jordan moved to South Africa
.
After two years in South Africa, Jordan returned to England and was re-signed by Southampton in the summer of 1908. He made his first-team debut on 16 September 1908, when he replaced Sam Shearer
at inside-left against Crystal Palace
. Although less skillful than Shearer, Jordan was a more "thrustful" player, more suited to Southern League
football, and by December he had become the regular inside-left. Described as "fleet of foot and an agile dribbler", Jordan scored four goals from his 25 league appearances in 1908–09.
In the following season, he lost his place first to Sam Brittleton
and then to Bob Carter
, but was deployed occasionally on the left wing.
After two years with the "Saints", Jordan joined fellow Southern League club Reading
in the summer of 1910, where he spent a year and later played for two further Southern League clubs, Stoke
and Merthyr Town
.
team.
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Football career
Jordan was born in SouthamptonSouthampton
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 educated at Bevois Town school, before joining 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 1905. After a year of reserve team
Reserve team
Large professional sports clubs often have far more players under contract than could possibly play in a match. As a result, many of these clubs create second teams composed of players who need playing time, but have little hope of playing on the first team. The players on this second team are...
football, Jordan moved to South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
After two years in South Africa, Jordan returned to England and was re-signed by Southampton in the summer of 1908. He made his first-team debut on 16 September 1908, when he replaced Sam Shearer
Sam Shearer
Samuel Shearer was a Scottish footballer who played at inside-forward for Southampton and Bradford Park Avenue in the early 20th century.-Football career:...
at inside-left against Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
. Although less skillful than Shearer, Jordan was a more "thrustful" player, more suited to 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...
football, and by December he had become the regular inside-left. Described as "fleet of foot and an agile dribbler", Jordan scored four goals from his 25 league appearances in 1908–09.
In the following season, he lost his place first to Sam Brittleton
Sam Brittleton
Samuel "Sam" Brittleton was an English footballer who played at inside-left for various clubs in the 1900s. He was the brother of England international Tom Brittleton.-Football career:...
and then to Bob Carter
Robert Carter (footballer)
Robert Carter was an English footballer, nicknamed Toddler because of his small stature. He was the father of footballing legend Raich Carter.-Club career:...
, but was deployed occasionally on the left wing.
After two years with the "Saints", Jordan joined fellow Southern League club Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
in the summer of 1910, where he spent a year and later played for two further Southern League clubs, Stoke
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
and Merthyr Town
Merthyr Town F.C.
Merthyr Town Football Club is a Welsh semi-professional football club based in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. For the 2011–2012 season the club will be playing in the Western Football League Premier Division at Penydarren Park in Merthyr....
.
Later career
When his football career was over, he returned to Southampton to live and found employment with the Southampton Gas and Coke Company where he remained for over 20 years up to his death. He was a member of his works cricket eleven as well as being secretary of the whistWhist
Whist is a classic English trick-taking card game which was played widely in the 18th and 19th centuries. It derives from the 16th century game of Trump or Ruff, via Ruff and Honours...
team.