Hookey Leonard
Encyclopedia
James "Hookey" or "Hooky" Leonard (born in Paisley, Scotland
) was a Scottish professional footballer.
Leonard signed with Cowdenbeath
in 1923. He quickly became a club favorite with brilliant performances. However, during the 1924-1925 game, he was suspended after missing several training sessions. Leonard was the third leading scorer in the Scottish League during the 1925-1926 season, but shocked the team and league when he signed with Indiana Flooring
of the American Soccer League
in December 1926. He played fifteen league games, scoring eight goals, through the remainder of the 1926-1927. Leonard returned to Cowdenbeath for the 1927-1928 season but was back in the U.S., this time with the New York Nationals. He remained with the Nationals through the 1929-1930 season, then returned again to Cowdenbeath. The team then sold his contract to English club Sunderland for £3000. He spent one season in England, but disagreements with team management saw him with Rhyl
for part of the season. In October 1932, Leonard signed with Greenock Morton before finishing his career with Codenbeath. At some point, he may have also played with Saltcoats Victoria
.
Leonard's exploits are chronicled in Ron Ferguson's Black Diamonds and the Blue Brazil. He was recently elected into the Cowdenbeath F.C. Hall of Fame. After retiring, Leonard settled in the US with his family. He died in 1982, but in July 2003 his family visited Cowdenbeath to receive a commemorative scroll.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
) was a Scottish professional footballer.
Leonard signed with Cowdenbeath
Cowdenbeath F.C.
Cowdenbeath Football Club are a professional Scottish football team based in the town of Cowdenbeath, Fife. They currently play in the Second Division of the Scottish Football League. The club plays its home games at Central Park in the centre of the town which has the unusual feature of a motor...
in 1923. He quickly became a club favorite with brilliant performances. However, during the 1924-1925 game, he was suspended after missing several training sessions. Leonard was the third leading scorer in the Scottish League during the 1925-1926 season, but shocked the team and league when he signed with Indiana Flooring
Indiana Flooring
Indiana Flooring were a New York soccer team that played in the American Soccer League between 1924 and 1927. They replaced New York Field Club. Before joining the ASL, the team had played in various state leagues....
of the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
in December 1926. He played fifteen league games, scoring eight goals, through the remainder of the 1926-1927. Leonard returned to Cowdenbeath for the 1927-1928 season but was back in the U.S., this time with the New York Nationals. He remained with the Nationals through the 1929-1930 season, then returned again to Cowdenbeath. The team then sold his contract to English club Sunderland for £3000. He spent one season in England, but disagreements with team management saw him with Rhyl
Rhyl F.C.
Rhyl Football Club is a Welsh football club, playing in the Cymru Alliance.The club was founded in 1882 and the team plays its home matches at Belle Vue, Rhyl, which can accommodate 3,000 spectators.- History :Few clubs in the Welsh Premier League have as distinguished a past as Rhyl's...
for part of the season. In October 1932, Leonard signed with Greenock Morton before finishing his career with Codenbeath. At some point, he may have also played with Saltcoats Victoria
Saltcoats Victoria F.C.
Saltcoats Victoria Football Club are a Scottish football club based in the town of Saltcoats, North Ayrshire. Nicknamed the Seasiders, the club were originally formed in 1889 and play at Campbell Park...
.
Leonard's exploits are chronicled in Ron Ferguson's Black Diamonds and the Blue Brazil. He was recently elected into the Cowdenbeath F.C. Hall of Fame. After retiring, Leonard settled in the US with his family. He died in 1982, but in July 2003 his family visited Cowdenbeath to receive a commemorative scroll.