Harry Clayton (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Harry Clayton was an English professional footballer who played in several defensive positions. Born in Nelson, Lancashire
, he played four matches in the Football League
for Nelson
in the 1925–26 season.
in 1922. He never progressed to the first team, and signed for Lancashire Combination
club Chorley
in April 1924. The following month, Clayton joined his hometown team Nelson
, who played in the Football League Third Division North
. Throughout the 1924–25 season, he played solely in the reserve team at Nelson. The following campaign, he again featured often in the reserves, helping them to the Lancashire Combination title in 1926. He made his professional debut on 23 January 1926, deputising for Clement Rigg
in the left-back position in the 1–2 defeat away at Southport
. Clayton made three further appearances in the league in the 1925–26 season, two at right half-back and one at left half-back. His last senior game for Nelson was the 4–0 home win against Durham City
on 27 February 1926.
In the summer of 1926, Clayton returned to the Lancashire Combination with Morecambe
, where he played alongside fellow former Nelson defender Eddie Eastwood
. He played 45 league and cup matches in his first season with Morecambe, as the team finished third in the division and won the Combination Cup and the Lancashire Junior Cup. Two more seasons with Morecambe followed, before a transfer to Manchester Central
in June 1929. In early 1931, Clayton had a short spell with Central FC (Belle Vue), and later played for Bacup Borough
. He subsequently returned to his hometown and represented several factory teams, including James Clark Ltd. and Lustrafil, during the remainder of the 1930s.
Nelson, Lancashire
Nelson is a town and civil parish in the Borough of Pendle in Lancashire, England, with a population of 28,998 in 2001. It lies 4 miles north of Burnley on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal....
, he played four matches in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
for Nelson
Nelson F.C.
Nelson F.C. are an English football club, based in Nelson, Lancashire. They are currently members of the North West Counties Football League Division One, who played their home matches at Victoria Park, Lomeshaye Way. They are full members of the Lancashire County Football Association.-Early years:...
in the 1925–26 season.
Playing career
As a junior, Clayton played for Hebden Bridge, before joining the "A" team at StokeStoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
in 1922. He never progressed to the first team, and signed for Lancashire Combination
Lancashire Combination
The Lancashire Combination was a football league founded in the North West of England in 1891–92. It absorbed the Lancashire League in 1903. In 1968 the Combination lost five of its clubs to the newly formed Northern Premier League...
club Chorley
Chorley F.C.
Chorley Football Club are a football club from Chorley, Lancashire, England. They were founded as a rugby union club in 1875 but switched to football in 1883. They have reached the FA Cup second round twice in 1986–87 and 1990–91. Their best performance in the FA Trophy was in 1995–96 when they...
in April 1924. The following month, Clayton joined his hometown team Nelson
Nelson F.C.
Nelson F.C. are an English football club, based in Nelson, Lancashire. They are currently members of the North West Counties Football League Division One, who played their home matches at Victoria Park, Lomeshaye Way. They are full members of the Lancashire County Football Association.-Early years:...
, who played in the Football League Third Division North
Football League Third Division North
The Third Division North of The Football League was a tier in the English association football league system from 1921 to 1958. It ran parallel to Third Division South with clubs elected to the League or relegated from a higher division allocated to one or the other according to geographical position...
. Throughout the 1924–25 season, he played solely in the reserve team at Nelson. The following campaign, he again featured often in the reserves, helping them to the Lancashire Combination title in 1926. He made his professional debut on 23 January 1926, deputising for Clement Rigg
Clement Rigg
Clement Rigg was an English professional footballer who played as a full back. He played over 250 matches in the Football League for Nelson.-References:...
in the left-back position in the 1–2 defeat away at Southport
Southport F.C.
Southport Football Club are an English football club, based in Southport, Merseyside. They are currently in the Conference National, and play their home matches at Haig Avenue, which has a capacity of 6,008...
. Clayton made three further appearances in the league in the 1925–26 season, two at right half-back and one at left half-back. His last senior game for Nelson was the 4–0 home win against Durham City
Durham City A.F.C.
Durham City A.F.C. are an English football club that currently plays in the Northern Premier League Division One North. They are based in the city of Durham in North East England.-History:...
on 27 February 1926.
In the summer of 1926, Clayton returned to the Lancashire Combination with Morecambe
Morecambe F.C.
Morecambe Football Club is an English football club based in Morecambe, Lancashire. It plays its football in League Two, the fourth division of English football, having been promoted in 2007 for the first time in their history to the Football League. They played their home matches at Christie Park...
, where he played alongside fellow former Nelson defender Eddie Eastwood
Eddie Eastwood
Edmund "Eddie" Eastwood was an English professional association footballer who played as a full-back.Born in Nelson, Lancashire, he began his football career with local club Barrowford. In June 1920, he signed as an amateur for Nelson, who at the time played in the Central League...
. He played 45 league and cup matches in his first season with Morecambe, as the team finished third in the division and won the Combination Cup and the Lancashire Junior Cup. Two more seasons with Morecambe followed, before a transfer to Manchester Central
Manchester Central F.C.
Manchester Central were a short lived professional football club based in Manchester.The team was formed in 1928 by Manchester City Director, John Ayrton and the owner of Belle Vue, John Iles. Ayrton created Manchester Central because he felt East Manchester needed a League side...
in June 1929. In early 1931, Clayton had a short spell with Central FC (Belle Vue), and later played for Bacup Borough
Bacup Borough F.C.
Bacup Borough F.C. are an English football club based at West View in Bacup, Lancashire. They currently play in the North West Counties League Premier Division and are full members of the Lancashire County Football Association. They play at the The Brian Boys West View Stadium...
. He subsequently returned to his hometown and represented several factory teams, including James Clark Ltd. and Lustrafil, during the remainder of the 1930s.