Sam Shearer
Encyclopedia
Samuel Shearer was a Scottish footballer who played at inside-forward for Southampton
and Bradford Park Avenue
in the early 20th century.
in South Ayrshire
and started his football career in Scottish Junior Football
with Trabboch before being invited for a trial at Southampton
in the summer of 1908. He showed "considerable promise" in the trial matches and was rewarded with a professional contract.
He made his debut for the "Saints" in the opening match of the 1908–09 Southern League
season, a 3–1 draw at Brighton
, but after four appearances, he lost his place to Frank Jordan
in mid-September. Described as "naturally skillful", Shearer was able to keep the ball close to his feet and as a result incurred regular kicks and bruises to his ankles, but his individuality was never properly exploited by his team-mates. For the remainder of the season, Shearer was in-and-out of the side making a total of eleven appearances, mainly at inside-left, but also at inside-right and on the left wing.
In the summer of 1909, Saints signed Sam Brittleton
who took over at inside-left, before losing out in turn to Bob Carter
. Shearer was then third-choice for the inside-left berth, and it was only in the last month of the season that he made a sustained run in the side with five first-team appearances.
He returned to Scotland in the summer of 1910 to join Nithsdale Wanderers
of Dumfries
, before returning to England with Bradford Park Avenue
in December 1912. After making only one league appearance for Bradford, Shearer retired in 1913.
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
and Bradford Park Avenue
Bradford Park Avenue A.F.C.
Bradford Association Football Club, previously also known as Bradford and since its reformation in the 1970s now referred to as Bradford Park Avenue, is a football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England...
in the early 20th century.
Football career
Shearer was born in CoyltonCoylton
Coylton is a village in South Ayrshire, Scotland. It is located east of Ayr, and west of Drongan, on the A70. Sundrum Castle Holiday Park is located to the west of the village, in the grounds of Sundrum Castle, which partly dates to the 13th century...
in South Ayrshire
South Ayrshire
South Ayrshire is one of 32 council areas of Scotland, covering the southern part of Ayrshire. It borders onto East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway....
and started his football career in Scottish Junior Football
Scottish Junior Football Association
The Scottish Junior Football Association is an affiliated national association of the Scottish Football Association and is the governing body for the Junior grade of football in Scotland. The term "Junior" refers to the level of football played...
with Trabboch before being invited for a trial at Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
in the summer of 1908. He showed "considerable promise" in the trial matches and was rewarded with a professional contract.
He made his debut for the "Saints" in the opening match of the 1908–09 Southern League
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
season, a 3–1 draw at Brighton
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
, but after four appearances, he lost his place to Frank Jordan
Frank Jordan (footballer)
Frank Jordan was an English professional footballer who played at inside-left for several clubs during the years prior to World War I.-Football career:...
in mid-September. Described as "naturally skillful", Shearer was able to keep the ball close to his feet and as a result incurred regular kicks and bruises to his ankles, but his individuality was never properly exploited by his team-mates. For the remainder of the season, Shearer was in-and-out of the side making a total of eleven appearances, mainly at inside-left, but also at inside-right and on the left wing.
In the summer of 1909, Saints signed Sam Brittleton
Sam Brittleton
Samuel "Sam" Brittleton was an English footballer who played at inside-left for various clubs in the 1900s. He was the brother of England international Tom Brittleton.-Football career:...
who took over at inside-left, before losing out in turn to Bob Carter
Robert Carter (footballer)
Robert Carter was an English footballer, nicknamed Toddler because of his small stature. He was the father of footballing legend Raich Carter.-Club career:...
. Shearer was then third-choice for the inside-left berth, and it was only in the last month of the season that he made a sustained run in the side with five first-team appearances.
He returned to Scotland in the summer of 1910 to join Nithsdale Wanderers
Nithsdale Wanderers F.C.
Nithsdale Wanderers Football Club are a senior football club based in Sanquhar, Dumfries and Galloway. Their home ground is Lorimer Park and they currently play in the South of Scotland Football League....
of Dumfries
Dumfries
Dumfries is a market town and former royal burgh within the Dumfries and Galloway council area of Scotland. It is near the mouth of the River Nith into the Solway Firth. Dumfries was the county town of the former county of Dumfriesshire. Dumfries is nicknamed Queen of the South...
, before returning to England with Bradford Park Avenue
Bradford Park Avenue A.F.C.
Bradford Association Football Club, previously also known as Bradford and since its reformation in the 1970s now referred to as Bradford Park Avenue, is a football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England...
in December 1912. After making only one league appearance for Bradford, Shearer retired in 1913.