John Green (footballer)
Encyclopedia
John Green was an English
professional footballer who played as a midfielder
. He played a total of 250 league games in the Football League
.
He moved from non-league Stockton Heath
to Tranmere Rovers
in February 1958. He played 21 league games before he was transferred to top-flight Blackpool
in March 1959. He went on make 145 appearances for the club, before he was signed by Stanley Matthews
' Port Vale
in September 1967. He was allowed to spend summer 1968 in Canada with Vancouver Royals
, who were then coached by Ferenc Puskás
. He returned to help Vale to win promotion out of the Fourth Division
in 1969–70
, and was also named as the club's Player of the Year
. He later served as player-manager of Northwich Victoria
in 1971–72.
, like his lifelong friend Roger Hunt
; both played as amateurs for Stockton Heath
before becoming professional footballers. Green began his professional career with Tranmere Rovers
, signing in February 1958, with the club in the Third Division North
. At the end of the 1957–58 season the Third Division North and South
were dissolved and replaced by the Third Division
and the Fourth Division
. Tranmere were allowed to join the new Third Division having finished in the top twelve in 1957–58 – they finished ahead of thirteenth place York City
on goal average.
Green played 21 games and scoring a total of 7 goals, before his transfer to Blackpool in March 1959.
from August 1959 to August 1961 limited his appearances in his first couple of seasons as a Blackpool player. Green made his debut for Ron Suart
's Blackpool on 5 March 1960, in a 4–2 victory at Leeds United
. Green went on to make a further six appearances in the 1959–60 campaign. The following season, 1960–61, Green made just one league appearance, on 8 October 1960, as Suart rang the changes following a single-goal defeat at Preston North End
in the West Lancashire derby
in the previous outing.
In 1961–62, Green made nine league appearances. He also scored his first goals for the club. The first came on 14 April 1962, in a 3–2 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday
. A second followed seven days later, this time in a 3–1 victory over Manchester City
at Bloomfield Road
. Green also made two appearances for the club in the League Cup
: firstly in their third-round tie at Workington
on 5 November, his strike being the only goal of the game; and secondly in their semi-final second leg game at home to Norwich City
on 16 April 1962, which proved to be their elimination match.
Green made twelve league appearances in 1962–63, scoring one goal in the process. It was during the 1963–64 season that Suart gave Green an extended run in the team. He made 23 appearances and scored two goals. In 1964–65, though, he was ever-present throughout Blackpool's 42 league games. He also scored twice. Green returned to being a rotation player in 1965–66, making 26 appearances.
For 1966–67, Green's final season with the club, the midfielder became one of two Greens in the team, after the arrival of Tony Green
, a Scot, from Newcastle United
. The Englishman made fifteen league appearances, a third of which occurred under new manager Stan Mortensen
. Green's final appearance for the club took place in the penultimate league game of the season, a 3–1 defeat at home to West Bromwich Albion
on 6 May 1967. After maintaining a First Division
status during Green's eight seasons with the club, Blackpool were relegated to the Second Division
at the end of the campaign.
Green had played a total of 145 league and cup games for Blackpool, scoring a total of 11 goals in all competitions.
Port Vale
by Stanley Matthews
, who Green had admired from childhood and alongside whom he had played towards the end of Matthews' playing career with Blackpool. He made a 'superb' start to his Vale career, and was seen as one of the club's most skilful players. However he soon lost his first team place, and made just eleven appearances in 1967–68
.
Green then spent May to October 1968 with Vancouver Royals
. Although Green was originally recruited by Bobby Robson
, by the time he joined Vancouver Royals, Robson had been replaced as coach by Ferenc Puskás
, who made Green captain for his season with the Canadian club. The Royals struggled in the North American Soccer League
, and finished bottom of the Pacific Division.
Returning to Vale Park
for the rest of the 1968–69
campaign, he found himself working under a new manager in Gordon Lee
. Green struggled with his fitness but played twelve games, finding himself on the scoresheet in home wins against Newport County
and Chester
. He then helped the club to win promotion in 1969–70
, and was an ever-present with 46 league and 6 cup appearances. He was given the club's Player of the Year award
for his contribution to the campaign. However he could not translate this success over to the 1970–71
Third Division
campaign, and new signings Brian Horton
and Tony Lacey
established themselves in the first eleven. He was not offered a new contract at the end of the season.
Green had played a total of 98 league and cup games for Port Vale, scoring a total of 9 goals in all competitions.
side Northwich Victoria
for the latter part of the 1971–72 season.
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...
professional footballer who played as a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
. He played a total of 250 league games in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
.
He moved from non-league Stockton Heath
Warrington Town F.C.
Warrington Town F.C. are a football club based in Warrington, Cheshire, England. They were established in 1949 under the name of Stockton Heath Albion. In 1961, they changed to their present name...
to Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
in February 1958. He played 21 league games before he was transferred to top-flight 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...
in March 1959. He went on make 145 appearances for the club, before he was signed by 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'...
' Port Vale
Port 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...
in September 1967. He was allowed to spend summer 1968 in Canada with Vancouver Royals
Vancouver Royals
Vancouver Royal Canadians were an association football team based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada that played in the United Soccer Association. The league was made up of teams imported from foreign leagues. The Vancouver club was actually Sunderland A.F.C...
, who were then coached by Ferenc Puskás
Ferenc Puskás
Ferenc Puskás was a Hungarian footballer and manager. He scored 84 goals in 85 international matches for Hungary, and 514 goals in 529 matches in the Hungarian and Spanish leagues. He became Olympic champion in 1952 and was a World Cup finalist in 1954...
. He returned to help Vale to win promotion out of the Fourth Division
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
in 1969–70
1969–70 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1969–70 season was Port Vale's fifty-eighth season of football in the Football League, and their fifth successive season in the Fourth Division. They achieved promotion with a fourth place finish, taking them back into the Third Division...
, and was also named as the club's Player of the Year
Port Vale F.C. Player of the Year
The Port Vale Player of the Year award is voted for annually by Port Vale's supporters in recognition of the best overall performance by an individual player throughout the football season. Towards the end of each season, fans are invited to cast their votes for this award.The inaugural award was...
. He later served as player-manager of Northwich Victoria
Northwich Victoria F.C.
Northwich Victoria Football Club are an English football club who play at the Victoria Stadium in Wincham, Northwich, Cheshire in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, the seventh tier of the English football league system.Northwich are an old club, founded in 1874 and named in honour of...
in 1971–72.
Tranmere Rovers
John Green was born and grew up near to WarringtonWarrington
Warrington is a town, borough and unitary authority area of Cheshire, England. It stands on the banks of the River Mersey, which is tidal to the west of the weir at Howley. It lies 16 miles east of Liverpool, 19 miles west of Manchester and 8 miles south of St Helens...
, like his lifelong friend Roger Hunt
Roger Hunt
Roger Hunt, MBE is an English former footballer. He was a member of the England team which won the 1966 World Cup.-Club career:...
; both played as amateurs for Stockton Heath
Warrington Town F.C.
Warrington Town F.C. are a football club based in Warrington, Cheshire, England. They were established in 1949 under the name of Stockton Heath Albion. In 1961, they changed to their present name...
before becoming professional footballers. Green began his professional career with Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
, signing in February 1958, with the club in the Third Division North
Football League Third Division North
The Third Division North of The Football League was a tier in the English association football league system from 1921 to 1958. It ran parallel to Third Division South with clubs elected to the League or relegated from a higher division allocated to one or the other according to geographical position...
. At the end of the 1957–58 season the Third Division North and South
Football League Third Division South
The Football League Third Division South was a level of English professional football which ran in parallel to Third Division North from 1921 to 1958....
were dissolved and replaced by the Third Division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
and the Fourth Division
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
. Tranmere were allowed to join the new Third Division having finished in the top twelve in 1957–58 – they finished ahead of thirteenth place York City
York City F.C.
York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions...
on goal average.
Green played 21 games and scoring a total of 7 goals, before his transfer to Blackpool in March 1959.
Blackpool
National ServiceConscription in the United Kingdom
Conscription in the United Kingdom has existed for two periods in modern times. The first was from 1916 to 1919, the second was from 1939 to 1960, with the last conscripted soldiers leaving the service in 1963...
from August 1959 to August 1961 limited his appearances in his first couple of seasons as a Blackpool player. Green made his debut for 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...
's Blackpool on 5 March 1960, in a 4–2 victory at Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
. Green went on to make a further six appearances in the 1959–60 campaign. The following season, 1960–61, Green made just one league appearance, on 8 October 1960, as Suart rang the changes following a single-goal defeat at Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
in the West Lancashire derby
West Lancashire derby
The West Lancashire derby is a local derby in English football, between Lancashire neighbours Blackpool F.C. and Preston North End F.C. The derby has taken place across all four tiers of the Football League, but not yet in the Premier League...
in the previous outing.
In 1961–62, Green made nine league appearances. He also scored his first goals for the club. The first came on 14 April 1962, in a 3–2 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
. A second followed seven days later, this time in a 3–1 victory over Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
at Bloomfield Road
Bloomfield Road
Bloomfield Road is an all-seater football stadium in the English town of Blackpool, Lancashire. It has been the permanent home of Blackpool F.C. since 1901 and is named after the road on which the stadium's main entrance used to stand. The stadium has been in a process of redevelopment since 2000...
. Green also made two appearances for the club in the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
: firstly in their third-round tie at Workington
Workington A.F.C.
Workington A.F.C. is an English football club from Workington, Cumbria. They are in the Conference North, and play their home matches at Borough Park, which has a capacity of 3,101 . The club play in red, and are known locally as the Reds...
on 5 November, his strike being the only goal of the game; and secondly in their semi-final second leg game at home to Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
on 16 April 1962, which proved to be their elimination match.
Green made twelve league appearances in 1962–63, scoring one goal in the process. It was during the 1963–64 season that Suart gave Green an extended run in the team. He made 23 appearances and scored two goals. In 1964–65, though, he was ever-present throughout Blackpool's 42 league games. He also scored twice. Green returned to being a rotation player in 1965–66, making 26 appearances.
For 1966–67, Green's final season with the club, the midfielder became one of two Greens in the team, after the arrival of Tony Green
Tony Green (footballer)
Anthony "Tony" Green is a Scottish former professional footballer.-Club career:Glasgow-born Green began his career at Albion Rovers in his native Scotland.-Blackpool:...
, a Scot, from Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
. The Englishman made fifteen league appearances, a third of which occurred under new manager Stan Mortensen
Stan Mortensen
Stanley Harding "Stan" Mortensen was an English professional footballer, most famous for his part in the 1953 FA Cup Final , in which he became the only player ever to score a hat-trick in a Wembley FA Cup Final...
. Green's final appearance for the club took place in the penultimate league game of the season, a 3–1 defeat at home to West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
on 6 May 1967. After maintaining a 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....
status during Green's eight seasons with the club, Blackpool were relegated to the Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
at the end of the campaign.
Green had played a total of 145 league and cup games for Blackpool, scoring a total of 11 goals in all competitions.
Port Vale
In September 1967, Green was signed for Fourth DivisionFootball League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
Port Vale
Port 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...
by 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'...
, who Green had admired from childhood and alongside whom he had played towards the end of Matthews' playing career with Blackpool. He made a 'superb' start to his Vale career, and was seen as one of the club's most skilful players. However he soon lost his first team place, and made just eleven appearances in 1967–68
1967–68 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1967–68 season was Port Vale's fifty-sixth season of football in the Football League, and their third successive season in the Fourth Division. A poor season saw them battle to mid-table in order to avoid the re-election zone. Yet it would be off-the-field developments that would worry Vale...
.
Green then spent May to October 1968 with Vancouver Royals
Vancouver Royals
Vancouver Royal Canadians were an association football team based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada that played in the United Soccer Association. The league was made up of teams imported from foreign leagues. The Vancouver club was actually Sunderland A.F.C...
. Although Green was originally recruited by Bobby Robson
Bobby Robson
Sir Robert William "Bobby" Robson, CBE was an English footballer and manager, who coached seven European clubs and the England national team during his career....
, by the time he joined Vancouver Royals, Robson had been replaced as coach by Ferenc Puskás
Ferenc Puskás
Ferenc Puskás was a Hungarian footballer and manager. He scored 84 goals in 85 international matches for Hungary, and 514 goals in 529 matches in the Hungarian and Spanish leagues. He became Olympic champion in 1952 and was a World Cup finalist in 1954...
, who made Green captain for his season with the Canadian club. The Royals struggled in the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
, and finished bottom of the Pacific Division.
Returning to Vale Park
Vale Park
Vale Park is a football stadium in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England. It is the home ground of Port Vale F.C., who have played at the ground since 1950....
for the rest of the 1968–69
1968–69 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1968–69 season was Port Vale's fifty-seventh season of football in the Football League, and their fourth successive season in the Fourth Division. New manager Gordon Lee used the season to consolidate the club after it was readmitted to the Football League immediately after being expelled for...
campaign, he found himself working under a new manager in Gordon Lee
Gordon Lee (footballer)
Gordon Francis Lee is a former English footballer and football manager.A right-back during his playing days, he moved from Hednesford Town to Aston Villa in 1955...
. Green struggled with his fitness but played twelve games, finding himself on the scoresheet in home wins against Newport County
Newport County A.F.C.
Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
and Chester
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
. He then helped the club to win promotion in 1969–70
1969–70 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1969–70 season was Port Vale's fifty-eighth season of football in the Football League, and their fifth successive season in the Fourth Division. They achieved promotion with a fourth place finish, taking them back into the Third Division...
, and was an ever-present with 46 league and 6 cup appearances. He was given the club's Player of the Year award
Port Vale F.C. Player of the Year
The Port Vale Player of the Year award is voted for annually by Port Vale's supporters in recognition of the best overall performance by an individual player throughout the football season. Towards the end of each season, fans are invited to cast their votes for this award.The inaugural award was...
for his contribution to the campaign. However he could not translate this success over to the 1970–71
1970–71 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1970–71 season was Port Vale's fifty-ninth season of football in the Football League, and their first season back in the Third Division following their promotion from the Fourth Division...
Third Division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
campaign, and new signings Brian Horton
Brian Horton
Brian Horton is an English former footballer and manager, who is working as Phil Brown's assistant at Preston North End.Horton played for Hednesford Town, Port Vale, Brighton & Hove Albion, Luton Town and Hull City as a midfielder...
and Tony Lacey
Tony Lacey
Anthony John "Tony" Lacey is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Lacey played for Leek C.S.O.B., St. Luke's College and Stoke City before joining Port Vale on loan in February 1970. He was an ever-present for the rest of the season and was signed permanently in April 1970 for £2,500...
established themselves in the first eleven. He was not offered a new contract at the end of the season.
Green had played a total of 98 league and cup games for Port Vale, scoring a total of 9 goals in all competitions.
Later career
Green rounded off his career in professional football as player-manager of Northern Premier LeagueNorthern Premier League
The Northern Premier League, is one of the regional English football leagues which sits directly below the Football Conference featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. Geographically, the league covers all of Northern England, and the northern areas of the Midlands. Originally just one...
side Northwich Victoria
Northwich Victoria F.C.
Northwich Victoria Football Club are an English football club who play at the Victoria Stadium in Wincham, Northwich, Cheshire in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, the seventh tier of the English football league system.Northwich are an old club, founded in 1874 and named in honour of...
for the latter part of the 1971–72 season.
Honours
Individual- Port Vale F.C. Player of the YearPort Vale F.C. Player of the YearThe Port Vale Player of the Year award is voted for annually by Port Vale's supporters in recognition of the best overall performance by an individual player throughout the football season. Towards the end of each season, fans are invited to cast their votes for this award.The inaugural award was...
: 1969–701969–70 Port Vale F.C. seasonThe 1969–70 season was Port Vale's fifty-eighth season of football in the Football League, and their fifth successive season in the Fourth Division. They achieved promotion with a fourth place finish, taking them back into the Third Division...
- Football League Fourth DivisionFootball League Fourth DivisionThe Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
promotion winner: 1969–701969–70 Port Vale F.C. seasonThe 1969–70 season was Port Vale's fifty-eighth season of football in the Football League, and their fifth successive season in the Fourth Division. They achieved promotion with a fourth place finish, taking them back into the Third Division...