Frank Thorpe
Encyclopedia
Frank Thorpe was an English footballer who played as a centre-half for various clubs in the 1900s, including Southampton
and Bury
, with whom he won the FA Cup
in 1903
.
, before a brief spell on the books of Newton Heath
, where he failed to break into the first-team. In June 1901, he joined Bury
, where he was re-united with his former Stalybridge team-mate, wing-half John Johnston
.
Thorpe soon became a fixture at centre-half, between Johnston on the right and the veteran George Ross
on the left. In the league, Bury finished seventh in the First Division
in 1901–02 and eighth in the following season. Ross played in all of Bury's matches in the FA Cup in 1902–03
, reaching the final where Bury defeated Derby County
in one of the most one-sided finals ever played. Bury's 6–0 victory still stands as the record Final win. Bury also equalled another record, winning the Cup without conceding a goal in any round. In the final itself, Thorpe's through ball in the 48th minute was slid past Derby County's injured goalkeeper Jack Fryer
by Charles Sagar
for the second goal, following which Fryer was replaced in goal by Charlie Morris
who conceded a further four goals in the next half hour.
Fryer continued at the centre of Bury's defence for the next two seasons, missing only one game in 1903–04 and three in the following season, but in 1905–06 he lost his place to Jack Dewhurst, who had recently arrived from Blackburn Rovers
.
Thorpe spent the 1906–07 season with Plymouth Argyle
of the Southern League
, before moving along the south coast in April 1907 to join fellow Southern league team, Southampton
. Thorpe made his debut in a 4–2 victory at Northampton Town
on 6 April 1907, taking over at centre-half from James Bowden
, who was moved to fill the left-half position, which had been not been filled satisfactorily since Bill Gray
had been injured in March.
For the 1907–08 season, Thorpe was re-united with his former Stalybridge and Bury team-mate, John Johnston
. Thorpe was an intelligent centre-half, whose experience strengthened the "Saints" defence, and he was quickly appointed as team captain, helping the "Saints" to reach the FA Cup semi-finals
where they went out to Wolverhampton Wanderers
, beating First Division Everton
en route.
After finishing 11th in the league in 1908, when Thorpe missed only three matches, Southampton started the 1908–09 season with seven consecutive victories, in which Thorpe scored three goals. The Saints continued this good form until Thorpe was injured in late December, to be replaced by Sam Jepp
. With other key players such as Arthur Hughes
and Frank Jefferis
also suffering with injuries, Saints fell away until Thorpe's return at the end of March. Saints won four and drew three of the last seven games, and managed to finish in third place.
In the summer of 1909, Thorpe returned to Bury to as a player-coach, working with the second eleven.
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...
and Bury
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
, with whom he won the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
in 1903
1903 FA Cup Final
The 1903 FA Cup Final was contested by Bury and Derby County at Crystal Palace. Bury won 6–0, with goals from George Ross, Charles Sagar, Joe Leeming , William Wood and John Plant...
.
Playing career
Thorpe was born in Hayfield, Derbyshire and started his football career with Stalybridge RoversStalybridge Rovers F.C.
Stalybridge Rovers Football Club was an English football club from Stalybridge, Cheshire at the end of the 19th century and early 20th century.-History:...
, before a brief spell on the books of 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...
, where he failed to break into the first-team. In June 1901, he joined Bury
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
, where he was re-united with his former Stalybridge team-mate, wing-half John Johnston
John Johnston (footballer)
John Shand Johnston was a Scottish footballer who played as a wing half and won the FA Cup with Bury in 1903.-Playing career:Johnston was born in Lennoxtown and started his career with Stalybridge Rovers before joining Football League First Division Bury in May 1901, shortly followed by his former...
.
Thorpe soon became a fixture at centre-half, between Johnston on the right and the veteran George Ross
George Ross (footballer born 1869)
George Ross was a footballer who played in England in the 1890s and 1900s.He played for Bury and managed to win two FA Cup finals with them. In 1900 he was a member of the Bury team that defeated Southampton 4-0...
on the left. In the league, Bury finished seventh in the 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....
in 1901–02 and eighth in the following season. Ross played in all of Bury's matches in the FA Cup in 1902–03
FA Cup 1902–03
The 1902–03 FA Cup was the 32nd season of the world's oldest association football competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup . Bury won the competition for the second and final time, beating Derby County 6–0 in the final at Crystal Palace...
, reaching the final where Bury defeated Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
in one of the most one-sided finals ever played. Bury's 6–0 victory still stands as the record Final win. Bury also equalled another record, winning the Cup without conceding a goal in any round. In the final itself, Thorpe's through ball in the 48th minute was slid past Derby County's injured goalkeeper Jack Fryer
Jack Fryer (footballer born 1877)
John Spencer "Jack" Fryer was an English footballer who played for Derby County and Fulham in the Football League.-References:...
by Charles Sagar
Charles Sagar
Charles "Charlie" Sagar was an English football player.Born in Daisy Hill, Edgworth, Lancashire, Sagar began his career with Bury in 1899. He joined Manchester United in 1905, retiring the following year after scoring 24 goals for the club...
for the second goal, following which Fryer was replaced in goal by Charlie Morris
Charlie Morris
Charles Richard "Charlie" Morris was a professional footballer, who played for Derby County and Huddersfield Town as a full back. He also played international football for Wales on 27 occasions.-Family:...
who conceded a further four goals in the next half hour.
Fryer continued at the centre of Bury's defence for the next two seasons, missing only one game in 1903–04 and three in the following season, but in 1905–06 he lost his place to Jack Dewhurst, who had recently arrived from Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
.
Thorpe spent the 1906–07 season with Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
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...
, before moving along the south coast in April 1907 to join fellow Southern league team, 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...
. Thorpe made his debut in a 4–2 victory at Northampton Town
Northampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
on 6 April 1907, taking over at centre-half from James Bowden
James Bowden (footballer)
James William Bowden was an English footballer who played at centre-half for various clubs in the 1900s.-Football career:...
, who was moved to fill the left-half position, which had been not been filled satisfactorily since Bill Gray
Bill Gray (footballer)
William "Bill" Gray was a Scottish professional footballer who played at left-half for various clubs in the 1900s.-Football career:...
had been injured in March.
For the 1907–08 season, Thorpe was re-united with his former Stalybridge and Bury team-mate, John Johnston
John Johnston (footballer)
John Shand Johnston was a Scottish footballer who played as a wing half and won the FA Cup with Bury in 1903.-Playing career:Johnston was born in Lennoxtown and started his career with Stalybridge Rovers before joining Football League First Division Bury in May 1901, shortly followed by his former...
. Thorpe was an intelligent centre-half, whose experience strengthened the "Saints" defence, and he was quickly appointed as team captain, helping the "Saints" to reach the FA Cup semi-finals
FA Cup Semi-finals
The FA Cup Semi-finals are played to determine which teams will contest the FA Cup Final. They are the penultimate phase of the FA Cup, the oldest football tournament in the world.- Location :...
where they went out to 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...
, beating First Division Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
en route.
After finishing 11th in the league in 1908, when Thorpe missed only three matches, Southampton started the 1908–09 season with seven consecutive victories, in which Thorpe scored three goals. The Saints continued this good form until Thorpe was injured in late December, to be replaced by Sam Jepp
Sam Jepp
Samuel Richard "Sam" Jepp was an English professional footballer who played in various defence positions for Southampton and Swansea Town in the early twentieth century.-Football career:...
. With other key players such as Arthur Hughes
Arthur Hughes (footballer)
Arthur Hughes was an English professional footballer who played as a forward for various clubs in the 1900s.-Playing career:Born in Birkenhead, he started his career with his local club Birkenhead F.C. before joining Tranmere Rovers...
and Frank Jefferis
Frank Jefferis
Frank Jefferis was a football player.-Playing career:He initially played football for his local non-league team, Fordingbridge Turks, before being invited for a trial at The Dell by Southampton of the Southern League in March 1905...
also suffering with injuries, Saints fell away until Thorpe's return at the end of March. Saints won four and drew three of the last seven games, and managed to finish in third place.
In the summer of 1909, Thorpe returned to Bury to as a player-coach, working with the second eleven.