John Crosland
Encyclopedia
John Ronald Crosland was an English
professional football
player. He played as a defender
, and could switch from centre-half to full-back.
Born in Lytham St Annes
, Lancashire
, Crosland was signed by Blackpool
manager Joe Smith from Ansdell Rovers after being awarded the Distinguished Service Cross
as a pilot in the Fleet Air Arm in World War II
. After being unable to break into the first team due to the form of Ron Suart
and Harry Johnston
, he made his debut on September 18, 1946, in a defeat at Brentford
. He played in the next three games, before sitting out the remaining seven months of the 1946–47
campaign.
He made only two league appearances in the 1947–48
, but made his FA Cup debut in the 1948 FA Cup Final
against Manchester United
deputising for the injured Suart, and marking Reds winger Jimmy Delaney
.
Despite this appearances, Crosland did not feature at all during the 1948–49
term, but made sixteen appearances in 1949–50
. After veteran centre-half Eric Hayward
began to succumb to injuries, Crosland became more of a fixture in Smith's teams. In addition, the England
selectors capped him at "B" level in 1950 before he was given regular first-team football during 1952–53
.
A series of injuries curtailed his Blackpool career, and after 64 league appearances during eight years of service he was sold to Bournemouth
in 1954. He was selected to Captain the Third Division South representative side
in 1954/55. He made just over one hundred league appearances for the South Coast club before finishing his career with Wisbech Town
between 1957 and 1961.
, the Old George, in Wisbech
after Crosland's retirement. Stanley Matthews
acted as a reference for them to the licensing authority. They were landlords until 1961 and later ran a hotel and taxi business. The Croslands, who celebrated their golden anniversary in January 2006, had three daughters, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
, where the couple had lived.
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
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
player. He played as a defender
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
, and could switch from centre-half to full-back.
Born in Lytham St Annes
Lytham St Annes
Lytham St Annes is a conurbation in the Fylde district of Lancashire, England. The neighbouring towns of Lytham and St-Anne's-on-the-Sea have grown together and now form a seaside resort...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, Crosland was signed by Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
manager Joe Smith from Ansdell Rovers after being awarded the Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the third level military decoration awarded to officers, and other ranks, of the British Armed Forces, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and British Merchant Navy and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries.The DSC, which may be awarded posthumously, is...
as a pilot in the Fleet Air Arm in 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...
. After being unable to break into the first team due to the form of Ron Suart
Ron Suart
Ronald Suart is an English former football player and manager.-Playing days:Suart was a full-back at Blackpool, playing alongside fellow defenders George Farrow and Harry Johnston in a team which also included Stanley Matthews and Stan Mortensen. Blackpool reached the 1948 FA Cup Final, but Suart...
and Harry Johnston
Harry Johnston (footballer)
Henry "Harry" Johnston was an English footballer. He was the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year in 1951. He spent his entire professional playing career with Blackpool, with whom he appeared in three FA Cup Finals...
, he made his debut on September 18, 1946, in a defeat at Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
. He played in the next three games, before sitting out the remaining seven months of the 1946–47
Blackpool F.C. season 1946-47
The 1946-47 season was Blackpool F.C.s 40th season in the Football League. They competed in the 22-team Division One, then the top tier of English football, finishing fifth....
campaign.
He made only two league appearances in the 1947–48
Blackpool F.C. season 1947-48
The 1947-48 season was Blackpool F.C.s 41st season in the Football League. They competed in the 22-team Division One, then the top tier of English football, finishing ninth...
, but made his FA Cup debut in the 1948 FA Cup Final
1948 FA Cup Final
The 1948 FA Cup Final was contested by Manchester United and Blackpool at Wembley Stadium on 24 April 1948. United, who had not appeared in an FA Cup Final for 39 years, won 4–2, with two goals from Jack Rowley and one apiece from Stan Pearson and John Anderson. Eddie Shimwell and Stan Mortensen...
against Manchester United
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...
deputising for the injured Suart, and marking Reds winger Jimmy Delaney
Jimmy Delaney
James "Jimmy" Delaney was a Scottish football player who enjoyed a 24-year playing career.- Career :...
.
Despite this appearances, Crosland did not feature at all during the 1948–49
Blackpool F.C. season 1948-49
The 1948-49 season was Blackpool F.C.s 42nd season in the Football League. They competed in the 22-team Division One, then the top tier of English football, finishing sixteenth....
term, but made sixteen appearances in 1949–50
Blackpool F.C. season 1949-50
The 1949-50 season was Blackpool F.C.s 43rd season in the Football League. They competed in the 22-team Division One, then the top tier of English football, finishing seventh....
. After veteran centre-half Eric Hayward
Eric Hayward
Lionel Eric Hayward was an English professional footballer who played as a defender for Port Vale and Blackpool. He was the elder brother of Basil and Doug Hayward.-Playing career:...
began to succumb to injuries, Crosland became more of a fixture in Smith's teams. In addition, the England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
selectors capped him at "B" level in 1950 before he was given regular first-team football during 1952–53
Blackpool F.C. season 1952-53
The 1952-53 season was Blackpool F.C.s 46th season in the Football League. They competed in the 22-team Division One, then the top tier of English football, finishing seventh....
.
A series of injuries curtailed his Blackpool career, and after 64 league appearances during eight years of service he was sold to Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
in 1954. He was selected to Captain the Third Division South representative side
Football League Third Division North vs. South Representative Games
The Third Division North and Third Division South of The Football League was a level in English association football, which ran from 1921 to 1958.From 1954–55 season until 1957–58 season, there was a series of games between teams representing the Third Division North and the Third Division South.-...
in 1954/55. He made just over one hundred league appearances for the South Coast club before finishing his career with Wisbech Town
Wisbech Town F.C.
Wisbech Town F.C. is an English football club currently based in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. The club are currently members of the Eastern Counties League Premier Division and play at the Fenland Stadium.-History:...
between 1957 and 1961.
Personal life
Crosland was married to Peggy, and the couple opened a pubPublic house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
, the Old George, in Wisbech
Wisbech
Wisbech is a market town, inland port and civil parish with a population of 20,200 in the Fens of Cambridgeshire. The tidal River Nene runs through the centre of the town and is spanned by two bridges...
after Crosland's retirement. Stanley Matthews
Stanley Matthews
Sir Stanley Matthews, CBE was an English footballer. Often regarded as one of the greatest players of the English game, he is the only player to have been knighted while still playing, as well as being the first winner of both the European Footballer of the Year and the Football Writers'...
acted as a reference for them to the licensing authority. They were landlords until 1961 and later ran a hotel and taxi business. The Croslands, who celebrated their golden anniversary in January 2006, had three daughters, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Death
Crosland died on 6 May 2006 after collapsing. He was 83. His funeral was held at The Church of Michael the Archangel, in HuntingdonHuntingdon
Huntingdon is a market town in Cambridgeshire, England. The town was chartered by King John in 1205. It is the traditional county town of Huntingdonshire, and is currently the seat of the Huntingdonshire district council. It is known as the birthplace in 1599 of Oliver Cromwell.-History:Huntingdon...
, where the couple had lived.