Ron Staniforth
Encyclopedia
Ronald "Ron" Staniforth (13 April 1924 – October 1988) was a former English
footballer, described as a tall, cultured full-back. His attacking excursions down the right wing sometimes caused concern to his team's supporters but probably more to his opponents.
After service in the Royal Navy during the war he became a milkman and played in local league football, signing professional for Stockport County
at the relatively late age of 22. When the Stockport manager Andy Beattie
moved to Huddersfield Town
in the 1952 close season, Staniforth followed. Huddersfield had just been relegated. Staniforth, together with all the remainder of the defence, played in every game in the following season in which Huddersfield finished in second place and so were promoted back to the First Division.
In their first season back, Huddersfield maintained their momentum and were challenging for the championship. This led to Staniforth playing three times for England 'B' and then gaining eight England
caps, all in 1954, including three in the final stages of the World Cup
. He was also in the England side which notoriously lost 7-1 to Hungary
although this did not lead to his losing his place.
In 1955 Huddersfield were becoming concerned about the ageing profile of their team and Staniforth was dropped after being given the run-around by Bobby Mitchell
in a quarter-final of the F.A. Cup. In July 1955 he moved to Sheffield Wednesday
, along with Roy Shiner
, in an exchange deal which brought Tony Conwell
and Jackie Marriott
to Huddersfield (they were respectively eight and four years younger).
At the age of 31 however, Staniforth's career was far from over. It must have seemed like deja vu. Like his arrival at Huddersfield, Wednesday had just been relegated from the First Division and were promoted in his first season. Also he teamed up again with former Huddersfield defender Don McEvoy
. He went on to make 102 appearances for Wednesday over four seasons during which they were promoted twice and relegated once.
In October 1959 he moved to Barrow
as player-manager, later to be joined by McEvoy as a player. He retired from playing after 38 games and resigned as manager in 1964. Later he had two spells on the coaching staff at Hillsborough.
He died in Barrow in October 1988, aged 64.
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, described as a tall, cultured full-back. His attacking excursions down the right wing sometimes caused concern to his team's supporters but probably more to his opponents.
After service in the Royal Navy during the war he became a milkman and played in local league football, signing professional for Stockport County
Stockport County F.C.
Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...
at the relatively late age of 22. When the Stockport manager Andy Beattie
Andy Beattie
Andrew "Andy" Beattie was a Scottish professional football player and manager. He was the first manager of the Scottish national team.- Playing days :...
moved to Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
in the 1952 close season, Staniforth followed. Huddersfield had just been relegated. Staniforth, together with all the remainder of the defence, played in every game in the following season in which Huddersfield finished in second place and so were promoted back to the First Division.
In their first season back, Huddersfield maintained their momentum and were challenging for the championship. This led to Staniforth playing three times for England 'B' and then gaining eight 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...
caps, all in 1954, including three in the final stages of the World Cup
1954 FIFA World Cup
The 1954 FIFA World Cup, the fifth staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in Switzerland from 16 June to 4 July. Switzerland was chosen as hosts in July 1946. The tournament set a number of all-time records for goal-scoring, including the highest average goals scored per game...
. He was also in the England side which notoriously lost 7-1 to Hungary
Hungary national football team
The Hungary national football team represents Hungary in international football and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation....
although this did not lead to his losing his place.
In 1955 Huddersfield were becoming concerned about the ageing profile of their team and Staniforth was dropped after being given the run-around by Bobby Mitchell
Bobby Mitchell (footballer)
Robert "Bobby" Carmichael Mitchell was a Scottish football player. His position was forward.Mitchell started his career with Third Lanark in 1942, spending seven years with the Hi-Hi before joining Newcastle United for £16,000 in February 1949...
in a quarter-final of the F.A. Cup. In July 1955 he moved to 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...
, along with Roy Shiner
Roy Shiner
Roy Albert James Shiner was a former professional footballer who played as a forward for Ryde Sports, Cheltenham Town, Huddersfield Town, Sheffield Wednesday & Hull City. He later went on to manage clubs on the Isle of Wight such as Newport, Seaview and St...
, in an exchange deal which brought Tony Conwell
Tony Conwell
Anthony "Tony" Conwell is an English former professional footballer who made 281 appearances in the Football League playing as a right back for Sheffield Wednesday, Huddersfield Town, Derby County and Doncaster Rovers....
and Jackie Marriott
Jackie Marriott
John Leonard "Jackie" Marriott is an English former professional footballer who played in the Football League as an outside right for Sheffield Wednesday, Huddersfield Town and Scunthorpe United.-External links:...
to Huddersfield (they were respectively eight and four years younger).
At the age of 31 however, Staniforth's career was far from over. It must have seemed like deja vu. Like his arrival at Huddersfield, Wednesday had just been relegated from the First Division and were promoted in his first season. Also he teamed up again with former Huddersfield defender Don McEvoy
Don McEvoy
Donald William "Don" McEvoy was a professional footballer, who played principally for Huddersfield Town, his home-town club, and Sheffield Wednesday and latterly for Lincoln City and Barrow, who were then in the Fourth Division...
. He went on to make 102 appearances for Wednesday over four seasons during which they were promoted twice and relegated once.
In October 1959 he moved to Barrow
Barrow A.F.C.
Barrow A.F.C. are an English football club founded in 1901 based in the town of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria. Following promotion at the end of the 2007–08 season, they currently play in the Conference National. The club spent over fifty years in the Football League between 1921 and 1972, and have...
as player-manager, later to be joined by McEvoy as a player. He retired from playing after 38 games and resigned as manager in 1964. Later he had two spells on the coaching staff at Hillsborough.
He died in Barrow in October 1988, aged 64.