Horace Glover
Encyclopedia
Horace Victor Glover was an English professional footballer who played at left-back for Southampton
and West Ham United
in the decade prior to World War I.
and trained as an architect's assistant, playing football on an amateur
basis for Hastings & St Leonards
. Jimmy Yates
, the former Sheffield United
and Southampton
player was in his second spell at Hastings and recommended Glover to Southampton.
Glover moved along the south coast to join Southampton in the Southern League
in May 1906, to replace Arthur Hartshorne
who had left in the summer. Glover made his debut at left-back in the opening match of the 1906–07 season, a 1–0 defeat at Swindon Town
. He soon established a reputation for "strong, decisive tackling and excellent distribution" and became a permanent fixture at the left of the defence, rarely missing a match over the next two seasons. In 1907, he scored twice in the opening five matches and his form in defence brought him to the attention of Football League clubs, who made "tempting offers" in an attempt to persuade the "Saints" to sell him. In the Cup
, he helped Southampton reach the FA Cup Semi Finals in March 1908, where they went out to Wolverhampton Wanderers
, having beaten First Division Everton
en route.
A series of injuries resulted in him missing large parts of the 1908–09 season, when John Robertson
generally stood in for him, but by the start of the following season he was restored to fitness and, now the team's captain, he again became the automatic first-choice at left-back.
In September 1911, he was persuaded to move to London, to join Southern League rivals, West Ham United
, where he was re-united with his former Southampton team-mate Fred Harrison, who had moved to Upton Park
in the spring. Glover made his debut for the "Hammers" in a 5–0 victory over Reading
on 23 September, but only spent one season in West Ham's first-team making 29 Southern League and five FA Cup
appearances. In the FA Cup
, Glover was part of the West Ham team that defeated Middlesbrough
of the First Division
in the Second Round in February 1912.
After a blank season, when Harry Forster, who had spent six years in the First Division
with Sunderland
, took over at left-back, Glover joined Boscombe for a season before retiring.
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
and West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
in the decade prior to World War I.
Football career
Glover was born in Ashford, KentAshford, Kent
Ashford is a town in the borough of Ashford in Kent, England. In 2005 it was voted the fourth best place to live in the United Kingdom. It lies on the Great Stour river, the M20 motorway, and the South Eastern Main Line and High Speed 1 railways. Its agricultural market is one of the most...
and trained as an architect's assistant, playing football on an amateur
Amateur
An amateur is generally considered a person attached to a particular pursuit, study, or science, without pay and often without formal training....
basis for Hastings & St Leonards
Hastings United F.C.
Hastings United is a semi-professional English football club who currently play in the Isthmian League Premier Division and are affiliated to the Sussex County Football Association and the Hastings Football Association....
. Jimmy Yates
Jimmy Yates
Jimmy Yates was an English professional footballer who played as a right winger in the 1900 FA Cup Final for Southampton.-Playing career:...
, the former Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
and Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
player was in his second spell at Hastings and recommended Glover to Southampton.
Glover moved along the south coast to join Southampton in the Southern League
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
in May 1906, to replace Arthur Hartshorne
Arthur Hartshorne
Arthur Hartshorne was an English footballer, known for his hard-tackling ability.-Playing career:Hartshorne played for Moxley White Star and Wolverhampton Wanderers before joining Port Vale in June 1902. He was a regular throughout the 1902–03 season, but was sold to local rivals Stoke in April...
who had left in the summer. Glover made his debut at left-back in the opening match of the 1906–07 season, a 1–0 defeat at 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...
. He soon established a reputation for "strong, decisive tackling and excellent distribution" and became a permanent fixture at the left of the defence, rarely missing a match over the next two seasons. In 1907, he scored twice in the opening five matches and his form in defence brought him to the attention of Football League clubs, who made "tempting offers" in an attempt to persuade the "Saints" to sell him. In the Cup
FA Cup 1907–08
The 1907–08 FA Cup was the 37th staging of the world's oldest association football competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup...
, he helped Southampton reach the FA Cup Semi Finals in March 1908, where they went out to Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
, having beaten First Division Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
en route.
A series of injuries resulted in him missing large parts of the 1908–09 season, when John Robertson
John Nicol Robertson
John Nicol Robertson was a Scottish professional footballer who played at half-back for various clubs in the early 20th century, spending most of his career with Southampton.-Football career:...
generally stood in for him, but by the start of the following season he was restored to fitness and, now the team's captain, he again became the automatic first-choice at left-back.
In September 1911, he was persuaded to move to London, to join Southern League rivals, West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
, where he was re-united with his former Southampton team-mate Fred Harrison, who had moved to Upton Park
Boleyn Ground
The Boleyn Ground, more commonly referred to as Upton Park due to its location in Upton Park, London is the football stadium of West Ham United.-History:...
in the spring. Glover made his debut for the "Hammers" in a 5–0 victory over Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
on 23 September, but only spent one season in West Ham's first-team making 29 Southern League and five 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...
appearances. In the FA Cup
FA Cup 1911–12
The 1911–12 FA Cup was the 41st season of the world's oldest association football competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup...
, Glover was part of the West Ham team that defeated Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
of the First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
in the Second Round in February 1912.
After a blank season, when Harry Forster, who had spent six years in the First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
with Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
, took over at left-back, Glover joined Boscombe for a season before retiring.