Harry Prince
Encyclopedia
Harold Prince (born 4 December 1921) is an English
former footballer.
youth side to sign professional forms with the Vale in September 1941. With World War II
raging, he transferred to Wolverhampton Wanderers
in July 1943 without having played a game. He returned to the Vale in August 1944, making his debut in a 3–0 home win over Birmingham City
in a Football League North match on 26 August 1944. He became the first choice stopper until stubbing a foot
whilst taking a goal kick
in a 2–1 defeat at Crewe Alexandra
on 30 December 1944. In a display of poor sportsmanship
Crewe went ahead and scored as Prince lay injured on the ground. He recovered, but lost his first team spot in October 1945, at which point he was used a reserve keeper. In one rare appearance, on 18 April 1949, in a 1–1 draw at Bristol City
he managed to concede a forty-yard
'punt' that sailed over his head. It was most probably a major factor in the decision to release him from his contract later that month. He had played fifty competitive games for the club, a good amount of experience
to take into the non-leagues with Stafford Rangers
.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
former footballer.
Playing career
Prince played for Bucknall before graduating through the Port ValePort Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
youth side to sign professional forms with the Vale in September 1941. With World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
raging, he transferred 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...
in July 1943 without having played a game. He returned to the Vale in August 1944, making his debut in a 3–0 home win over Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
in a Football League North match on 26 August 1944. He became the first choice stopper until stubbing a foot
Foot
The foot is an anatomical structure found in many vertebrates. It is the terminal portion of a limb which bears weight and allows locomotion. In many animals with feet, the foot is a separate organ at the terminal part of the leg made up of one or more segments or bones, generally including claws...
whilst taking a goal kick
Goal kick
A goal kick, called a goalie kick in some regions,is a method of restarting play in a game of association football.-Award:A goal kick is awarded to the defending team when the ball goes out of the field of play by crossing the goal line when the last person to touch the ball was from the attacking...
in a 2–1 defeat at Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
on 30 December 1944. In a display of poor sportsmanship
Sportsmanship
Sportsmanship is an aspiration or ethos that a sport or activity will be enjoyed for its own sake, with proper consideration for fairness, ethics, respect, and a sense of fellowship with one's competitors...
Crewe went ahead and scored as Prince lay injured on the ground. He recovered, but lost his first team spot in October 1945, at which point he was used a reserve keeper. In one rare appearance, on 18 April 1949, in a 1–1 draw at Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
he managed to concede a forty-yard
Yard
A yard is a unit of length in several different systems including English units, Imperial units and United States customary units. It is equal to 3 feet or 36 inches...
'punt' that sailed over his head. It was most probably a major factor in the decision to release him from his contract later that month. He had played fifty competitive games for the club, a good amount of experience
Experience
Experience as a general concept comprises knowledge of or skill in or observation of some thing or some event gained through involvement in or exposure to that thing or event....
to take into the non-leagues with Stafford Rangers
Stafford Rangers F.C.
Stafford Rangers Football Club is a semi-professional English football team from Stafford which plays in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.The team wear black and white stripes with black shorts...
.