Harry Bamford
Encyclopedia
Henry Charles "Harry" Bamford (8 October 1920 – 31 October 1958) was a professional footballer, who played for Bristol Rovers
for his entire professional career. He played as a right-back
for the club for thirteen years from 1945 until his death in 1958, making 486 league appearances and scoring five goals in the process.
He joined Rovers following the conclusion of World War II
, and had played for Bristol
ian non-league side St Philip's Marsh prior to this. Because of the war, his professional career began at the relatively late age of 25, but in spite of this he played in the second highest number of Bristol Rovers games of any players at the club, behind only Stuart Taylor
.
As well as being a player, Bamford also coached
at Clifton College
, and while riding his motorcycle
home from a coaching session at the college on 28 October 1958 he was involved in a collision with a car. He remained in hospital for three days before finally dying from his injuries on 31 October.
At the time of his death Bamford was still a regular in the Bristol Rovers side, and had played in the previous 59 consecutive games before his accident.
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....
for his entire professional career. He played as a right-back
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
for the club for thirteen years from 1945 until his death in 1958, making 486 league appearances and scoring five goals in the process.
He joined Rovers following the conclusion of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and had played for Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
ian non-league side St Philip's Marsh prior to this. Because of the war, his professional career began at the relatively late age of 25, but in spite of this he played in the second highest number of Bristol Rovers games of any players at the club, behind only Stuart Taylor
Stuart Taylor (footballer born 1947)
Stuart Taylor is an English former footballer who spent his entire professional playing career at Bristol Rovers....
.
As well as being a player, Bamford also coached
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
at Clifton College
Clifton College
Clifton College is a co-educational independent school in Clifton, Bristol, England, founded in 1862. In its early years it was notable for emphasising science in the curriculum, and for being less concerned with social elitism, e.g. by admitting day-boys on equal terms and providing a dedicated...
, and while riding his motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
home from a coaching session at the college on 28 October 1958 he was involved in a collision with a car. He remained in hospital for three days before finally dying from his injuries on 31 October.
At the time of his death Bamford was still a regular in the Bristol Rovers side, and had played in the previous 59 consecutive games before his accident.