| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 26 November 1915 | ||
| Place of birth | Colwyn Bay, Wales | ||
| Date of death | 12 April 2005 (aged 89) | ||
| Place of death | Codsall, Wolverhampton, UK | ||
| Position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| ? — 1937 | Llandudno F.C. | - | (0) |
| 1937 — 1946 | Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. | - | (0) |
| 1946 — 1952 | Liverpool F.C. | 165 | (0) |
| 1952 — 1953 | New Brighton AFC | - | (0) |
| 1953 — 1955 | Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. | - | (0) |
| Total | (0) | ||
| International career | |||
| 1946 — 1949 | Wales national football team | 7 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
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Cyril Sidlow (26 November 1915 – 12 April 2005) was a Welshfootballgoalkeeper. He played for several football clubs, most notablyWolverhampton Wanderers (commonly referred to as Wolves) andLiverpool.
Sidlow was born inColwyn Bay,Conwy,North Wales. He played forLlandudno,Colwyn Bay andWolverhampton Wanderers.Major Frank Buckley[1] signed Sidlow to the Wolves in 1937. Sidlow was the first choice Wolves keeper beforeWorld War II, but the signing ofBert Williams after the war limited his chances. His career included a notable international match between England and Wales at Ninian Park where the Wolves supplied both the England keeper (Williams) and Welsh keeper (Sidlow).[2]
Wolves had two international goalkeepers, which led to Sidlow being surplus to requirements. In February 1946, Liverpool managerGeorge Kay signed him for a then-record £4,000. Sidlow made his debut for Liverpool on 31 August 1946 in a league match atBramall Lane and kept his first clean sheet for the club, withLen Carney scoring a late goal for the Reds in the 90th minute.
At 24, Sidlow's career was curtailed with the beginning of the World War II. He was almost 31 when he re-signed for the Reds. Sidlow, withCharlie Ashcroft andRay Minshull, were the goalkeepers vying for the number one jersey atAnfield for the 1946/47 season: the first competitive season following the war. Even with the competition, Sidlow was given the position, which he held for 34 of the 42 games in a season that saw Liverpool win their first championship in 24 years. Much of this win is owed to Sidlow as the final game of the season was a must-win for the Reds. Sidlow's former employers, the Wolves, needed just a point to win the title and Liverpool had to face them atMolineux. The Reds were a point back on their hosts and needed a victory to win the league title. After a comprehensive 5–0 win at Anfield, the Wolves were favorites to win the game and take the title. But goals fromJack Balmer andAlbert Stubbins — plus Sidlow and the backline keeping Wolves down to one goal — meant the Championship trophy would be heading toMerseyside. His performance in this pivotal game against his former club is often considered the high point of Sidlow's Liverpool career.
Sidlow tasted disappointment with the Reds too when they reached their firstWembley final in 1950.Arsenal, the opposition, took theFA Cup back toHighbury after a 2–0 win. Sidlow's Liverpool days were drawn to a close during the1950/51 after he originally begun the season as first choice. Charlie Ahcroft and Russell Crossley took over for four games before Sidlow came back in to play his last match for the club. Anfield was the place andNewcastle United were the visitors. Things didn't go well for Sidlow and the Reds asThe Magpies went back toSt James' Park with the points after a 4–2 win. Crossley came back into the side, and Sidlow retired in the August 1952. Upon retirement from the top level, he went on to play forNew Brighton.
Sidlow earned seven caps playing forWales during his career.
Sidlow died at 89 in 2005. After his death, his daughter sponsored a local award in Perton and Codsall, where her father lived until his death, to recognize local players' achievements.[3]