Jack Pickering
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| Jack Pickering | ||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | John Pickering | |
| Date of birth | December 18, 1908 | |
| Place of birth | Sheffield, England | |
| Date of death | 1977 | |
| Playing position | Inside-Left | |
| Senior clubs1 | ||
| Years | Club | App (Gls)* |
| 1925-1948 | Sheffield United Total |
344 (101) 344 (101) |
| National team | ||
| 1933 | England | 1 (0) |
|
1 Senior club appearances and goals |
||
John (Jack) Pickering (born December 18, 1908 in High Green, Sheffield – died 1977) was an English footballer who played for Sheffield United between 1925-1948. He played in the position of Inside-Left. He was known to players and fans as Jack Pickering.
Pickering learned his football at Barnsley Grammar School from where he came directly to United at the age of 17, in 1925.[1] He was a tall, long striding attacking player, and was instantly seen as a successor to Billy Gillespie. Jack was a part-time player, first working as a bookmaker and then an accountant.
He was a clever manipulator of the ball and a master of the long cross field pass which had been a feature of Sheffield United’s play in the 1890’s.[2] An intelligent player, he generally lay far back behind, directing his fellow forwards with discriminating passes. Pickering scored two goals in the FA Cup 5th round tie against Leeds United at Bramall Lane on February 15, 1936, in a match watched by a record crowd of 68,287.
He possessed a strong shot and played in 39 matches in season 1935-36, scoring 17 goals as United reached the 1936 FA Cup Final. Pickering partnered striker Bobby Barclay in the final against Arsenal at Wembley Stadium, and both impressed with their stylish distribution and approach play. But it was not to be United’s day and they lost the match 1-0.
In season 1938-39, Pickering was partnered with Jimmy Hagan in possibly one of the Blades' most exciting teams of the 1900s. When World War II broke out, United were standing at the top of the First Division - the season was cancelled after just 3 matches. He made his final appearance for Sheffield United against Portsmouth at Bramall Lane on January 1, 1948. In total he had made 367 (344 league) appearances and scored 110 goals (101 league) in all competitions, in a career exclusively with United. He won one England cap against Scotland at Hampden Park on April 1, 1933.[3]
[edit] References and notes
- ^ Young, Percy A. (1962). Football in Sheffield. ISBN 0-9506272-4-0
- ^ Clarebrough, Denis. (1989) Sheffield United F.C., The First 100 years. ISBN 0-950-8588-1-1
- ^ England Match Details (accessed 19 December 2006)
[edit] Sheffield United Career
Note: Season 1939-40 was abandoned after 3 matches due to outbreak of World War II.
Pickering continued to make appearances in regional League and Cup competitions between 1939-46.
| Season | Division | League Apps | League Goals | FA Cup Apps | FA Cup Goals | Total Apps | Total Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1926–27 | Division One | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1927–28 | Division One | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 1928–29 | Division One | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 4 |
| 1929–30 | Division One | 38 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 40 | 14 |
| 1930–31 | Division One | 23 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 4 |
| 1931–32 | Division One | 34 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 36 | 11 |
| 1932–33 | Division One | 39 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 41 | 13 |
| 1933–34 | Division One | 28 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 12 |
| 1934–35 | Division Two | 32 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 34 | 8 |
| 1935–36 | Division Two | 35 | 14 | 4 | 3 | 39 | 17 |
| 1936–37 | Division Two | 39 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 42 | 9 |
| 1937–38 | Division Two | 37 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 40 | 12 |
| 1938–39 | Division Two | 24 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 28 | 6 |
| 1939–40 | Division Two | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1946–47 | Division One | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 344 | 101 | 23 | 9 | 367 | 110 |
