| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | John Thomas Alderson[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1891-11-28)28 November 1891 | ||
| Place of birth | Crook, County Durham, England | ||
| Date of death | 17 February 1972(1972-02-17) (aged 80)[2] | ||
| Place of death | Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England | ||
| Position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Crook Juniors | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| Crook Town[1] | |||
| Shildon Athletic | |||
| 1912 | Middlesbrough | 0 | (0) |
| 1913 | Barcelona | 0 | (0) |
| 1913–1918 | Newcastle United | 1 | (0) |
| 1918–1924 | Crystal Palace | 192 | (0) |
| 1924–1925 | Pontypridd | ||
| 1925–1929 | Sheffield United | 122 | (0) |
| 1929–1930 | Exeter City | 36 | (0) |
| 1930–1931 | Torquay United | 0 | (0) |
| Worcester City | |||
| Crook Town | |||
| International career | |||
| 1923 | England | 1 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1913 | Barcelona (player-coach) | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
John Thomas Alderson (28 November 1891 – 17 February 1972) was an English professionalfootballer who played as agoalkeeper, making one appearance for the fullEngland national team.
Born inCrook, County Durham, Alderson played from a number of amateur sides, before moving toMiddlesbrough. After failing to establish himself on Teesside, he was briefly the player-coach ofBarcelona. He then joinedNewcastle United, where his career was interrupted by the outbreak ofWorld War I. Following the war, he had a successful spell atCrystal Palace and another atSheffield United, making over 100 appearances for each club.
Jack Alderson began his footballing career as a junior with his local side Crook Juniors,[1] beginning his senior career withCrook Town. He moved toShildon Athletic, before joiningFootball League sideMiddlesbrough.
While making guest appearances for West Auckland Wanderers during a set of friendlies againstBarcelona in December 1912, club presidentJoan Gamper was impressed with his performances and signed him as player-coach. However, he never made his debut for Barcelona, as he was transferred toNewcastle United for £30. Despite not coaching the club, he remains Barcelona's youngest ever manager at the age of 21.[3] On 25 January 1913, he made only appearance for Newcastle in a 3–1 win againstArsenal.[4][5]
With the outbreak ofWorld War I and with league football abandoned, Alderson served as agunner in theRoyal Garrison Artillery, whilst remaining on the books at Newcastle.[6][7] Based atWoolwich, he played a number of wartime games forCrystal Palace as a guest player and at the end of the war, signed for Palace from Newcastle for a fee of £50. He was an ever-present in the first post-war season, 1919–20,[8] as Palace finished third in theSouthern League. At the end of the season, Palace, along with all the other Southern League clubs formed the newFootball League Third Division, Alderson playing in their first everFootball League game, a 2–1 win away toMerthyr Town on 28 August 1920. He remained a constant in the Palace side as they were promoted as champions in their debut season.
Although Palace struggled in theSecond Division, Alderson was a success and won his onlyEngland cap on 10 May 1923, playing in a 4–1 win againstFrance in Paris. In 2005, Palace's centenary year, Alderson was voted their third best goalkeeper of all time, being beaten only by the more recent playersNigel Martyn (winner) andJohn Jackson (runner-up). Following a dispute with Crystal Palace over a benefit match Alderson moved toPontypridd in 1924, having played 205 first team games for Palace.[9]
WithFA Cup holdersSheffield United looking for a replacement keeper, they turned to Alderson who had a reputation as a spectacular shot stopper and penalty saver. The football committee (who ran the club at the time) were not completely convinced however, and sanctioned the £500 move only if the player was under thirty.[6] Club secretaryJohn Nicholson was tasked with verifying the matter and the fee was duly paid to Crystal Palace who still retained his registration.[6] Alderson arrived atBramall Lane with the local press citing him as 29 – this being far from the truth as he was in fact 34.[6]
Despite his confusing transfer, Alderson was a success at United, playing 137 games in four years, although he was often considered eccentric and unreliable by his teammates, particularly his liking for entertaining the fans during a game by touching the ground without bending his knees.[6]
Moving to the South coast, Alderson joinedExeter City in 1929, before moving to local rivalsTorquay United, but withJoe Wright as first choice keeper andLaurie Millsom as an able understudy,[10] Alderson left without making a first team appearance.
He subsequently played forWorcester City, before rejoining Crook Town,[1] where he ended his playing career.
