Bob Archer
Encyclopedia
Archie Archer was a football (soccer)
Left Half Back
.
Born in Swindon
, Archer became the first schoolboy of the town to be awarded an England
cap when he played for the team against Wales
at Watford
in 1913.
He lied about his age in 1916 to be admitted into the Army
for World War I
and was later invalided back into civilian life after being gassed.
His professional football career began at Bristol Rovers
before he transferred to his home club of Swindon Town
in 1920. Archer made his début for the club in March 1921 versus Northampton
.
It was not until the 1925-26 season that Archer became a first team regular, having been forced to play in various positions in the preceding seasons before deciding to play solely as a Left Half Back. He was ever present in the 1928-29 FA Cup
run that saw Swindon being beaten in the fifth round by Arsenal
and was also a member of the squad beat Manchester United
the following year.
His last appearance for the club was in a 4-0 defeat against Luton Town
on 28 February 1931. After retiring he ran a wet fish shop and remained in Swindon until his death in 1982.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
Left Half Back
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
.
Born in Swindon
Swindon
Swindon is a large town within the borough of Swindon and ceremonial county of Wiltshire, in South West England. It is midway between Bristol, west and Reading, east. London is east...
, Archer became the first schoolboy of the town to be awarded an England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
cap when he played for the team against Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
at Watford
Watford
Watford is a town and borough in Hertfordshire, England, situated northwest of central London and within the bounds of the M25 motorway. The borough is separated from Greater London to the south by the urbanised parish of Watford Rural in the Three Rivers District.Watford was created as an urban...
in 1913.
He lied about his age in 1916 to be admitted into the Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
for World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and was later invalided back into civilian life after being gassed.
His professional football career began at Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
before he transferred to his home club of Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
in 1920. Archer made his début for the club in March 1921 versus Northampton
Northampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
.
It was not until the 1925-26 season that Archer became a first team regular, having been forced to play in various positions in the preceding seasons before deciding to play solely as a Left Half Back. He was ever present in the 1928-29 FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
run that saw Swindon being beaten in the fifth round by Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
and was also a member of the squad beat Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
the following year.
His last appearance for the club was in a 4-0 defeat against Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
on 28 February 1931. After retiring he ran a wet fish shop and remained in Swindon until his death in 1982.