Ernie Blenkinsop
Encyclopedia
Ernie Blenkinsop was an English footballer who played as a defender
at left back. He spent the majority of his career at Sheffield Wednesday
, where he won two Football League titles. He also attained 26 caps playing for England
.
, near Barnsley
, South Yorkshire
, England. He followed his father down the coal mine, working at nearby Brierley Colliery, and playing local football for Cudworth Village Club FC alongside his brother. In 1921 he was signed by Hull City, and the transfer fee was reported to be £100 and a barrel of beer for his team-mates. After two seasons and only 11 first-team appearances for Hull City
, he was spotted by Sheffield Wednesday
boss Bob Brown
whilst playing in a reserve fixture as a forward. Brown liked what he saw and promptly took him from East to South Yorkshire
in 1922.
Brown played Blenkinsop at number 3, which proved to be a shrewd move as his umcompromising defensive quailities plus his adept control and pinpoint passing ensured that he would became a Wednesday legend and one of the best left-backs to ever don the blue and white striped shirt.
Ernie become a major force behind the rise of the Hillsborough
club from languishing at the foot of the 2nd Division to being promoted as champions at the end of the 1925–26 season (42 appearances), they then followed this up by becoming back-to-back champions of England in 1928–29 and 1929–30 (41 and 45 appearances respectively).
Blenkinsop caught the eye of the Football Association
selectors who choose him to play for England
in a friendly match in France on 17 May 1928, at the Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir, Colombes
, Paris, it turned out to be a debut to remember as the English taught the French
a lesson in football, beating them by a resounding 5–1 scoreline.
Ernie was given the ultimate accolade when he was handed the captaincy of England for another friendly on 9 December 1931 at the Arsenal
Stadium, Highbury
. The visitors were Spain
, with England, again, handing out footballing lessons as they thrashed the Spanish 7–1. Ernie went on to captain England five times, winning four and losing the other. Ernie also set a record whilst playing for his country, all of his caps came in consecutive England fixtures; they played a total of 26 matches between 17 May 1928 and 1 April 1933, with Blenkinsop appearing in them all. This record was subsequently beaten by Roger Byrne
who appeared in 33 consecutive England games from his debut to his death in the Munich Air Disaster
. However, Blenkinsop remains in second place.
Between 1922 and 1934 Blenkinsop made 424 appearances for Wednesday, scoring 5 goals. Then, much to the derision of the Wednesday faithful, Ernie was surprisingly transferred to Liverpool
for £5000 in April 1934, with manager George Patterson
hoping to recreate the England full-back partnership Blenkinsop and Tom Cooper had together. Blenkinsop's debut came on the 17 March 1934 in a 1st Division match at Anfield
, the prolific Gordon Hodgson
scored all four goals in the 4–1 victory making it a day to remember for Ernie and fellow debutant Vic Wright.
Blenkinsop flitted in and out of the starting line-up but made the left-back spot his own during the 1935–36 season, however, this turned out to be the only season he could be called a 'regular.' Ernie, again, held the number 3 shirt at the beginning of the 1936–37 campaign but soon lost out to Benjamin Dabb and never really regained his place.
After 71 appearances in a red shirt, Blenkinsop was granted a transfer and moved to Welsh club Cardiff City
in November 1937. After a short spell at Ninian Park
Ernie moved north to Derbyshire
, where he played for Buxton. He then returned to Yorkshire, representing Halifax and Bradford City as a wartime guest.
Ernie died four days after his 67th birthday in April 1969, forever remembered as one of the greatest ever left-backs to play the beautiful game.
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
at left back. He spent the majority of his career at Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
, where he won two Football League titles. He also attained 26 caps playing for 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...
.
Life and playing career
Blenkinsop was born in CudworthCudworth, South Yorkshire
Cudworth is a semi-rural village on the outskirts of Barnsley in South Yorkshire, England. Cudworth has a busy village centre surrounded by some housing and green belt countryside...
, near Barnsley
Barnsley
Barnsley is a town in South Yorkshire, England. It lies on the River Dearne, north of the city of Sheffield, south of Leeds and west of Doncaster. Barnsley is surrounded by several smaller settlements which together form the Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley, of which Barnsley is the largest and...
, South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire is a metropolitan county in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England. It has a population of 1.29 million. It consists of four metropolitan boroughs: Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, and City of Sheffield...
, England. He followed his father down the coal mine, working at nearby Brierley Colliery, and playing local football for Cudworth Village Club FC alongside his brother. In 1921 he was signed by Hull City, and the transfer fee was reported to be £100 and a barrel of beer for his team-mates. After two seasons and only 11 first-team appearances for Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
, he was spotted by Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
boss Bob Brown
Robert Brown (football manager)
Robert Brown was an English association football player and manager in the early twentieth century.After an undistinguished career in semi-professional football in his native north-east England, Brown joined Sheffield Wednesday as a scout. In 1911 he joined Portsmouth as secretary, a job he held...
whilst playing in a reserve fixture as a forward. Brown liked what he saw and promptly took him from East to South Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
in 1922.
Brown played Blenkinsop at number 3, which proved to be a shrewd move as his umcompromising defensive quailities plus his adept control and pinpoint passing ensured that he would became a Wednesday legend and one of the best left-backs to ever don the blue and white striped shirt.
Ernie become a major force behind the rise of the Hillsborough
Hillsborough Stadium
Hillsborough Stadium is the home of Sheffield Wednesday football club, Sheffield, England. Football has been played at the ground since it was opened on 2 September 1899, when Wednesday moved from their original ground at Olive Grove. Today it is a 39,812 capacity all-seater stadium, making it the...
club from languishing at the foot of the 2nd Division to being promoted as champions at the end of the 1925–26 season (42 appearances), they then followed this up by becoming back-to-back champions of England in 1928–29 and 1929–30 (41 and 45 appearances respectively).
Blenkinsop caught the eye of the Football Association
The Football Association
The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association...
selectors who choose him to play for 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...
in a friendly match in France on 17 May 1928, at the Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir, Colombes
Colombes
Colombes is a commune in the northwestern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris.-History:On 13 March 1896, 17% of the territory of Colombes was detached and became the commune of Bois-Colombes ....
, Paris, it turned out to be a debut to remember as the English taught the French
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
a lesson in football, beating them by a resounding 5–1 scoreline.
Ernie was given the ultimate accolade when he was handed the captaincy of England for another friendly on 9 December 1931 at the 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...
Stadium, Highbury
Highbury
- Early Highbury :The area now known as Islington was part of the larger manor of Tolentone, which is mentioned in the Domesday Book. Tolentone was owned by Ranulf brother of Ilger and included all the areas north and east of Canonbury and Holloway Road. The manor house was situated by what is now...
. The visitors were Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
, with England, again, handing out footballing lessons as they thrashed the Spanish 7–1. Ernie went on to captain England five times, winning four and losing the other. Ernie also set a record whilst playing for his country, all of his caps came in consecutive England fixtures; they played a total of 26 matches between 17 May 1928 and 1 April 1933, with Blenkinsop appearing in them all. This record was subsequently beaten by Roger Byrne
Roger Byrne
Roger William Byrne was an English footballer and captain of Manchester United F.C.. He died at the age of 28 in the Munich air disaster....
who appeared in 33 consecutive England games from his debut to his death in the Munich Air Disaster
Munich air disaster
The Munich air disaster occurred on 6 February 1958, when British European Airways Flight 609 crashed on its third attempt to take off from a slush-covered runway at Munich-Riem Airport in Munich, West Germany. On board the plane was the Manchester United football team, nicknamed the "Busby Babes",...
. However, Blenkinsop remains in second place.
Between 1922 and 1934 Blenkinsop made 424 appearances for Wednesday, scoring 5 goals. Then, much to the derision of the Wednesday faithful, Ernie was surprisingly transferred to Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
for £5000 in April 1934, with manager George Patterson
George Patterson (football)
George Patterson was a football manager and secretary who was involved with Liverpool F.C. for much of the first half of the 20th century. After a playing career spent mostly with Marine F.C., Patterson joined Liverpool in 1908, as assistant to Tom Watson. After a spell as club secretary, he was...
hoping to recreate the England full-back partnership Blenkinsop and Tom Cooper had together. Blenkinsop's debut came on the 17 March 1934 in a 1st Division match at Anfield
Anfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
, the prolific Gordon Hodgson
Gordon Hodgson
Gordon Hodgson was a South African-born English sportsman, being best known for as a striker for Liverpool and also a first-class cricketer for Lancashire, he also excelled at baseball....
scored all four goals in the 4–1 victory making it a day to remember for Ernie and fellow debutant Vic Wright.
Blenkinsop flitted in and out of the starting line-up but made the left-back spot his own during the 1935–36 season, however, this turned out to be the only season he could be called a 'regular.' Ernie, again, held the number 3 shirt at the beginning of the 1936–37 campaign but soon lost out to Benjamin Dabb and never really regained his place.
After 71 appearances in a red shirt, Blenkinsop was granted a transfer and moved to Welsh club Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
in November 1937. After a short spell at Ninian Park
Ninian Park
Ninian Park was a football stadium in Leckwith, Cardiff, Wales. Until 2009, it was the home ground of Cardiff City F.C., who compete in the English Football League Championship...
Ernie moved north to Derbyshire
Derbyshire
Derbyshire is a county in the East Midlands of England. A substantial portion of the Peak District National Park lies within Derbyshire. The northern part of Derbyshire overlaps with the Pennines, a famous chain of hills and mountains. The county contains within its boundary of approx...
, where he played for Buxton. He then returned to Yorkshire, representing Halifax and Bradford City as a wartime guest.
Ernie died four days after his 67th birthday in April 1969, forever remembered as one of the greatest ever left-backs to play the beautiful game.