Tim Coleman

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John George "Tim" Coleman (October 26, 1881 – November 20, 1940) was an English footballer.

Coleman was born in Kettering, Northamptonshire, and first played for local non-league sides, Kettering Town and Northampton Town. He was signed by Second Division Woolwich Arsenal in the summer of 1902, and immediately became a regular goalscorer for the club.

Coleman made his debut against Preston North End on September 6, 1902, and in his first season was top scorer with 17 goals in 30 matches, as Arsenal finished third. The following season he broke his own record and scored 23 goals in 28 games, which along with strike partner Tommy Shanks' 25 goals, helped Arsenal to second spot and thus promotion to the First Division. Coleman found 1905-06, his first season at the top, tough going (he only scored five goals), but the following season he scored 15 in 34 matches. Coleman's season was topped with Arsenal reaching the FA Cup semi-finals (which they lost to Newcastle United, and his one and only cap for England, against Ireland on February 16, 1907.

Despite their success on the pitch, Woolwich Arsenal were suffering from financial difficulties, and willingly accepted a bid of £700 for Coleman from Everton midway during the 1907-08 season. In total, Coleman had played 196 games for Arsenal, scoring 84 goals. Coleman was a regular during the two and a half seasons he spent at Goodison Park, helping the Toffees to runners-up spot in 1908-09, and scoring 30 goals in 71 appearances. While at Everton, he was notable for being one the few players, along with most of the Manchester United side, to maintain their membership of the Players Union (the forerunner of the Professional Footballers Association), in defiance of Football Association rules. After a standoff, the FA backed down.

Coleman later had spells at Sunderland (1910–11), Fulham (1911–14) and Nottingham Forest (1914–15). With the advent of World War I and the suspension of first-class football, Coleman retired from the professional game, although he still played in non-league football, most notably for Tunbridge Wells. He later worked as a coach, and moved to the Netherlands. He died in November 1940, at the age of 59.

[edit] References

• Harris, Jeff & Hogg, Tony (ed.) (1995). Arsenal Who's Who. Independent UK Sports. ISBN 1899429034.