Peter Wakeham
Encyclopedia
Peter Francis Wakeham was an English
footballer
who played for Sunderland
as a goalkeeper
.
as a junior, turning professional in October 1953. With first choice Billy Hayes and his deputy George Webber in front him, he finally made his debut towards the end of the 1953-54 season, playing in the 3-2 win at home to Newport County on 19 April 1954. That was his only game that season as Webber returned for the final two games of the season. With the signing of Alf Jefferies in the 1954 close season, Wakeham again found himself third choice, behind Jefferies and Hayes, and made no first team appearances that season.
The 1955-56 season began with Jimmy Kirk as first choice, with Hayes and then Wakeham as understudies. Wakeham played the final three games of the season as Torquay won twice to finish in fifth place in Division Three (South). Wakeham began the following season as first choice, but lost his place to Mervyn Gill
and played just fourteen times as Torquay finished second, missing out on promotion on goal average to Ipswich Town
. He began the 1957-58 season as first choice, with Gill as his understudy, and played 36 times in the league as Torquay struggled, eventually finishing in 21st place and finding themselves in the new Fourth Division the following season.
He played four times the following season, leaving for Sunderland
in September 1958. His debut for Sunderland came on 1 November 1958 against Grimsby Town
in a 1–0 at Roker Park
. In total he made 134 league appearances for the Wearside club. He then moved to Charlton Athletic
in July 1962, and went on to make 55 league appearances for the club, until moving to Lincoln City
in May 1965. For his next club he made 44 appearances during 1965 to 1966, he had also had a short spell with Poole Town
.
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...
footballer
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...
who played for Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
as a goalkeeper
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
.
Club career
Wakeham joined Torquay UnitedTorquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
as a junior, turning professional in October 1953. With first choice Billy Hayes and his deputy George Webber in front him, he finally made his debut towards the end of the 1953-54 season, playing in the 3-2 win at home to Newport County on 19 April 1954. That was his only game that season as Webber returned for the final two games of the season. With the signing of Alf Jefferies in the 1954 close season, Wakeham again found himself third choice, behind Jefferies and Hayes, and made no first team appearances that season.
The 1955-56 season began with Jimmy Kirk as first choice, with Hayes and then Wakeham as understudies. Wakeham played the final three games of the season as Torquay won twice to finish in fifth place in Division Three (South). Wakeham began the following season as first choice, but lost his place to Mervyn Gill
Mervyn Gill
Mervyn John Gill is a retired English football goalkeeper who spent most of his playing career with Torquay United.-Early career:...
and played just fourteen times as Torquay finished second, missing out on promotion on goal average to Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
. He began the 1957-58 season as first choice, with Gill as his understudy, and played 36 times in the league as Torquay struggled, eventually finishing in 21st place and finding themselves in the new Fourth Division the following season.
He played four times the following season, leaving for Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
in September 1958. His debut for Sunderland came on 1 November 1958 against Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
in a 1–0 at Roker Park
Roker Park
Roker Park was an English football stadium situated in Roker, Sunderland. The stadium was the home of the English football club Sunderland A.F.C. from 1897 to 1997 before the club moved to the Stadium of Light. Near the end of the stadium's history, its capacity was around 22,500 with only a small...
. In total he made 134 league appearances for the Wearside club. He then moved to Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
in July 1962, and went on to make 55 league appearances for the club, until moving to Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
in May 1965. For his next club he made 44 appearances during 1965 to 1966, he had also had a short spell with Poole Town
Poole Town F.C.
Poole Town F.C. is a football club based in Poole, England. They were established in 1890 and joined the Western League Division Two in 1930. They won the Western League title in 1957 and reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup four times in their history. They are currently members of the...
.