Norman Creek (footballer)

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Frederick Norman Smith Creek (12 January 1898 – 26 July 1980) was an English amateur footballer who was associated with the Corinthians amateur team for many years. He made one appearance as a centre forward for the full England team and five for the England amateur team.

[edit] Career

Creek was born in Darlington and first played representative football for Darlington Grammar School. During the First World War he was in the Royal Flying Corps and was awarded the Military Cross.

After the cessation of hostilities, he went up to Cambridge University where he won his first "Blue" in 1920. Injury prevented him playing in 1921, but he earned his second blue the following year.^[1]

He first began playing for the Corinthians in 1919 and remained associated with the club until the 1930s. He signed amateur forms with Darlington and made two Football League appearances between 1922 and 1924.

His solitary appearance for the England team came on 10 May 1923, when he scored in a 4–1 victory over France^[2] although he also won five caps for the England amateur team, scoring four goals on his debut.

Between 1923 and 1954, he worked as a schoolteacher at Dauntsey's School, Wiltshire teaching "games" and Geography, during which time he also played cricket for Wiltshire. While at the school, he helped organise the Local Defence Volunteers.^[3]

He was also a cricket writer for the Daily Telegraph, and wrote various books including "A History of the Corinthian Football Club" (1933) and "Centre Half - Attack or Defence?".

In 1943 he was awarded the MBE.^[1] After retiring from playing he continued his association with the England amateur team as their manager. He was also managed the Great Britain Olympic football team during the 1950s and 1960s, whilst working for the Football Association.