Oldest Living Former Blades Player?

[drblade]

Just doing a bit of research trying to find the date of publication for a picture of Derek Hawksworth and notice from the Wikipedia that the old boy is still alive (93 years old).

255 appearances, 88 goals (1950-58).

He played an integral part in United's 7–3 defeat of the pigs at the Lane on 8 September 1951, scoring an equaliser and a fourth goal.

Anyone know of any (living) older former players?

UTB

 

[Silent Blade]

Just doing a bit of research trying to find the date of publication for a picture of Derek Hawksworth and notice from the Wikipedia that the old boy is still alive (93 years old).

255 appearances, 88 goals (1950-58).

He played an integral part in United's 7–3 defeat of the pigs at the Lane on 8 September 1951, scoring an equaliser and a fourth goal.

Anyone know of any (living) older former players?

UTB

After Colin Collindridge's passing I did think Derek became the oldest living Blade but someone pointed out that Fred E Smith (Big Fred) is still alive?

Fred Smith (footballer, born May 1926) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[dazzlingblade]

Jags????

On a serious note though, it does appear it's Smith, I can't find anyone else, although it's hard to find too much info

 

[dazzlingblade]

Actually it looks like Fred passed away in 2005 sadly

Fred Smith (footballer, born February 1926) - Wikiwand

Frederick Adamson Smith was a Scottish footballer who played at inside forward for various clubs, most particularly Sheffield United and Millwall, in the 1940s ...

www.wikiwand.com

Edit, scrap that, appears to be a different Fred Smith???

 

[coaxingstar71]

Tommy Hoyland won't be far off. Still in good health from what I can make out.

 

[Silent Blade]

Actually it looks like Fred passed away in 2005 sadly

Fred Smith (footballer, born February 1926) - Wikiwand

Frederick Adamson Smith was a Scottish footballer who played at inside forward for various clubs, most particularly Sheffield United and Millwall, in the 1940s ...

www.wikiwand.com

Edit, scrap that, appears to be a different Fred Smith???

That is "Little Fred". We had two players called Fred Smith, both played in the same line up a few times during the 1951-52 season.

 

[Chabuddy G]

Judging on how he played for us Dean Hammond must have been well over 70 when he donned the red and white

 

[Silent Blade]

Tommy Hoyland won't be far off. Still in good health from what I can make out.

He, Kevin Lewis, Billy Russell and Gerry Summers are the only players still alive from the team that lost to Norwich in the FA Cup 6th round in 1959

 

[drblade]

That is "Little Fred". We had two players called Fred Smith, both played in the same line up a few times during the 1951-52 season.

Looks like it is big Fred then.

 

[Silent Blade]

Looks like it is big Fred then.

Not sure, there are quite a few players that couldnt be traced after they had finished playing pro football.

 

[1973Blade]

On another note, the oldest former professional footballer is Arthur Smith, who was playing in the 1930s!

Arthur Smith (footballer, born 1915) - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[drblade]

Not sure, there are quite a few players that couldnt be traced after they had finished playing pro football.

Shame they didn’t stay in touch with the club (or vice versa).

Hope all our old boys are keeping well and dodging Covid.

 

[Silent Blade]

On another note, the oldest former professional footballer is Arthur Smith, who was playing in the 1930s!

Arthur Smith (footballer, born 1915) - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

I had been trying to find out if any players who have played at least 100 league appearances that lived to be 100 but I have not been able to find any. It was estimated last September that there were over 13,000 centenarians in UK still alive.

 

[1973Blade]

I had been trying to find out if any players who have played at least 100 league appearances that lived to be 100 but I have not been able to find any. It was estimated last September that there were over 13,000 centenarians in UK still alive.

You may be able to find one amongst this list?

List of centenarians (sportspeople) - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[Bill puntin]

He, Kevin Lewis, Billy Russell and Gerry Summers are the only players still alive from the team that lost to Norwich in the FA Cup 6th round in 1959

I thought billy Russell passed away last year hope I'm wrong.

 

[Silent Blade]

You may be able to find one amongst this list?

List of centenarians (sportspeople) - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Thanks, Zach March had the most appearances but not 100 appearances

 

[tincan]

You'd think the club would do something for them like a presentation to the crowd for all the 90year olds where possible. Once a blade always a blade sort of thing.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

On another note, the oldest former professional footballer is Arthur Smith, who was playing in the 1930s!

Arthur Smith (footballer, born 1915) - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Looks like the Smiths have some good genes...

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

I had been trying to find out if any players who have played at least 100 league appearances that lived to be 100 but I have not been able to find any. It was estimated last September that there were over 13,000 centenarians in UK still alive.

Is this your Captain Tom challenge? You’ll have to go some to raise as much money...

 

[metalblade]

One of our old players gets on the tram after games and gets off at Crystal Peaks, forgot his name tho but he must be into his 80's

 

[LSM]

I've just stumbled across this. Graham Bailey is your oldest player, he turned 101 yesterday! He's also Huddersfield Town's oldest living player.

Heritage: An Interview with Town's Oldest Living Player

As part of the HTSA's Heritage Project, author Lee Morris tracked down Town's oldest living player, centenarian Graham Bailey.

www.htsa-web.com

HAPPY 101ST BIRTHDAY TO GRAHAM BAILEY

Town's oldest living player celebrates today

www.htafc.com

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

I've just stumbled across this. Graham Bailey is your oldest player, he turned 101 yesterday! He's also Huddersfield Town's oldest living player.

Heritage: An Interview with Town's Oldest Living Player

As part of the HTSA's Heritage Project, author Lee Morris tracked down Town's oldest living player, centenarian Graham Bailey.

www.htsa-web.com

HAPPY 101ST BIRTHDAY TO GRAHAM BAILEY

Town's oldest living player celebrates today

www.htafc.com

Great post. Love the story about the under-the-counter payments. We may not win anything, but at least we’re honest...

 

[LSM]

Great post. Love the story about the under-the-counter payments. We may not win anything, but at least we’re honest...

He was invited to the Spurs game last season by Sheffield United, but lockdown happened and he couldn't go. I hope both our teams meet next season (with fans) and he gets to go to the game. That would be brilliant.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

He was invited to the Spurs game last season by Sheffield United, but lockdown happened and he couldn't go. I hope both our teams meet next season (with fans) and he gets to go to the game. That would be brilliant.

Glad to see the club has been in contact. And at least it would be one good thing to come out of relegation...

 

[coaxingstar71]

According to 'The Complete Record', played 20 League games, 2 FA Cup games and 1 County Cup game for us.

 

[Silent Blade]

I hadnt realised Graham Bailey is still alive. Since Colin Collindridge's death I thought Derek Hawksworth (now 93) was our oldest surviving player!

 

[LSM]

BOOTHY VISITS GRAHAM BAILEY

Club Ambassador takes shirt to Town’s oldest living player

www.htafc.com

 

[XM657]

Great post. Love the story about the under-the-counter payments. We may not win anything, but at least we’re honest...

I've stated before United were run by Chapel folk, certainly in the thirties and up to mid '70's to my knowledge.
So owt dodgy was out the window, probably rightly so but also at the same time ambition was limited.
We settled into being a well run but stayed club.
When being ambitious, '70's, they over reached themselves hence the decline never seen before at the club to it's lowest level.
I hadn't realised Teddy Davidson was religious and if had been previously told had forgotten, but it does figure.

 

[1973Blade]

I hadnt realised Graham Bailey is still alive. Since Colin Collindridge's death I thought Derek Hawksworth (now 93) was our oldest surviving player!

By coincidence Derek Hawksworth passed away a couple of days ago.

Derek Hawksworth - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[1973Blade]

Ex-Bradford City and Avenue great Derek Hawksworth dies | Bradford Telegraph and Argus

www-thetelegraphandargus-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org