Jack Froggatt
Encyclopedia
'Jolly' Jack Froggatt was an English
football player.
. Froggatt's uncle, Frank and cousin, Redfern Froggatt
both played for Sheffield Wednesday
, with the latter racking up 434 games for The Owls.
Previously working in his fathers butcher shop, the Sheffield-born winger signed for Pompey as a centre-half
but managed to persuade manager Jack Tinn
to play him as an outside-left
. Froggatt crowned his Pompey debut in 1945 with a second-half goal at The Dell in a War League South match with Southampton
and went on to become a regular goalscorer. He had alarming speed, excellent ball control and was very strong in the air, making him one of the most versatile players Pompey have ever had.
A stocky player, who was known for his robust running and sharp shooting, 'Jolly Jack' earned his first England
cap on 6 November 1949, where he scored on his international debut, from the outside-left position in a 9-2 victory over Northern Ireland
at Maine Road
.
For his Club, Froggatt formed part of the formidable trio with Jimmy Scoular
and Jimmy Dickinson
, which was often seen as the most powerful half-back line in immediate post-war football as Pompey
won consecutive first division titles in 1948–49
and 1949–50
.
With Dougie Reid taking the number 5 shirt in Froggatt's last season, Froggatt reverted to the wing again. Reluctantly leaving in March 1954, the winger went on to play 143 matches for Leicester City
, scoring 18 goals. In September 1957 Froggatt went on to sign for Kettering Town
for a fee of £6000.
Froggatt made his debut at Rockingham Road
in November 1957 in the 3-1 win over Barry Town in front of 3,819, he scored his first goal for the club against Cheltenham Town two weeks later in the home 2-1 win.
During his Poppies career Froggatt scored three hat-tricks, the first in the 6-4 thriller against Spalding United in the FA Cup
1st Qualifying round in October 1958. His second hat-trick was scored in April 1959 in the Southern League North West Division against Kidderminster Harriers as the Poppies ran out 4-3 victors at Rockingham Road during their promotion season. His final trio came against Gloucester City
on 15 April 1961 as Kettering ran out a 6-1 score line in the Southern League Division One, a Championship season as the Poppies returned to the Southern League Premier.
Froggatt was the player/manager of the club from January 1958, replacing Harry Mather
until September 1961. Under his tenure in the hot seat he saw promotion, a relegation and a Championship season. Froggatt was succeeded by Wally Akers
, but he still continued to play for the Poppies. His final league game for the Poppies came in the 1-3 defeat by Chelmsford City on 23 March 1963.
Froggatt's 20-year football career came to an end on 6 May 1963, a benefit match against one of his former clubs, Portsmouth. 1,800 turned out to see Pompey race into a 4-0 lead after just 35 minutes, before goals from Dennis Randall, Froggatt and George Armour made the score more respectable.
Retiring from football, Froggatt returned to Portsmouth to become a publican. For 22 years, he kept the Manor House in Cosham
, The Milton Arms near Fratton Park
and a hotel in Partridge Green
, West Sussex
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
football player.
Career
Coming from a footballing family, Froggatt started his football career in 1945, whilst in the RAFRoyal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
. Froggatt's uncle, Frank and cousin, Redfern Froggatt
Redfern Froggatt
Redfern Froggatt was a footballer for Sheffield Wednesday and England.Redfern was the son of former Sheffield Wednesday captain Frank Froggatt, and the cousin England international Jack Froggatt. In 1942 'Red' was signed from Sheffield YMCA but did not become a regular in the Wednesday side until...
both played for 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...
, with the latter racking up 434 games for The Owls.
Previously working in his fathers butcher shop, the Sheffield-born winger signed for Pompey as a centre-half
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....
but managed to persuade manager Jack Tinn
Jack Tinn
Jack Tinn was the manager of the English football club Portsmouth F.C. from 1927-1947. Under Tinn's stewardship Portsmouth won the FA Cup for the first time in their history when they beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-1 at Wembley in 1939. The FA Cup was kept safe under his bed throughout the war...
to play him as an outside-left
Outside forward
Outside forward is a position in association football which refers to a footballer who plays as an advanced forward on the right or left wing - as an outside right or outside left. Typically as part of a 2-3-5 formation or one of its variants...
. Froggatt crowned his Pompey debut in 1945 with a second-half goal at The Dell in a War League South match with 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...
and went on to become a regular goalscorer. He had alarming speed, excellent ball control and was very strong in the air, making him one of the most versatile players Pompey have ever had.
A stocky player, who was known for his robust running and sharp shooting, 'Jolly Jack' earned his first 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 on 6 November 1949, where he scored on his international debut, from the outside-left position in a 9-2 victory over Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
at Maine Road
Maine Road
Maine Road was a football stadium in Moss Side, Manchester, England that was home to Manchester City F.C. from its construction in 1923 until 2003...
.
For his Club, Froggatt formed part of the formidable trio with Jimmy Scoular
Jimmy Scoular
James "Jimmy" Scoular was a Scottish football player and manager. Known as a tough, combative player with precise passing skills, Scoular made over 600 appearances in The Football League with Portsmouth, Newcastle United and Bradford Park Avenue, as a player-manager, and attained nine caps for...
and Jimmy Dickinson
Jimmy Dickinson
James William 'Jimmy' Dickinson was an English football player.Dickinson holds the record for number of league appearances for Portsmouth...
, which was often seen as the most powerful half-back line in immediate post-war football as Pompey
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
won consecutive first division titles in 1948–49
1948-49 in English football
The 1948–49 season was the 69th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Portsmouth won the First Division title for the first time with a team of no recognised stars and very few international players. They won the league by five points from Manchester United and Derby...
and 1949–50
1949-50 in English football
The 1949–50 season was the 70th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Portsmouth retained the First Division title by one of the narrowest margins in history ahead of Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C....
.
With Dougie Reid taking the number 5 shirt in Froggatt's last season, Froggatt reverted to the wing again. Reluctantly leaving in March 1954, the winger went on to play 143 matches for Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
, scoring 18 goals. In September 1957 Froggatt went on to sign for Kettering Town
Kettering Town F.C.
Kettering Town Football Club are a football club originating in Kettering, Northamptonshire but currently based in the nearby village of Irthlingborough. The club play in the Conference National after winning the Conference North in 2007–08...
for a fee of £6000.
Froggatt made his debut at Rockingham Road
Rockingham Road
Rockingham Road, known as the Elgoods Brewery Arena for sponsorship purposes, is a football stadium in Kettering, Northamptonshire, England. It was home to Kettering Town F.C. until 2011, who play in the Conference National....
in November 1957 in the 3-1 win over Barry Town in front of 3,819, he scored his first goal for the club against Cheltenham Town two weeks later in the home 2-1 win.
During his Poppies career Froggatt scored three hat-tricks, the first in the 6-4 thriller against Spalding United in the 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...
1st Qualifying round in October 1958. His second hat-trick was scored in April 1959 in the Southern League North West Division against Kidderminster Harriers as the Poppies ran out 4-3 victors at Rockingham Road during their promotion season. His final trio came against Gloucester City
Gloucester City A.F.C.
Gloucester City Association Football Club is an English semi-professional association football club currently based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire in South West England, via groundshare agreement....
on 15 April 1961 as Kettering ran out a 6-1 score line in the Southern League Division One, a Championship season as the Poppies returned to the Southern League Premier.
Froggatt was the player/manager of the club from January 1958, replacing Harry Mather
Harry Mather
Harold "Harry" Mather was an English professional footballer who played as a full back.-References:* at the Post-War Players Database*...
until September 1961. Under his tenure in the hot seat he saw promotion, a relegation and a Championship season. Froggatt was succeeded by Wally Akers
Wally Akers
Walter William George "Wally" Akers was an English professional association football player either side of the Second World War.-Playing career:...
, but he still continued to play for the Poppies. His final league game for the Poppies came in the 1-3 defeat by Chelmsford City on 23 March 1963.
Froggatt's 20-year football career came to an end on 6 May 1963, a benefit match against one of his former clubs, Portsmouth. 1,800 turned out to see Pompey race into a 4-0 lead after just 35 minutes, before goals from Dennis Randall, Froggatt and George Armour made the score more respectable.
Retiring from football, Froggatt returned to Portsmouth to become a publican. For 22 years, he kept the Manor House in Cosham
Cosham
Cosham is a northern suburb of Portsmouth lying within the city boundary but off Portsea Island. It is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 along with Drayton and Wymering and Bocheland , Frodington and Copenore on the island.The name is of Saxon origin and means "Cossa's homestead"...
, The Milton Arms near Fratton Park
Fratton Park
Fratton Park is a football stadium in the English city-port of Portsmouth. It has been the home of professional club Portsmouth F.C. since its construction in 1898.-Description:...
and a hotel in Partridge Green
Partridge Green
Partridge Green is a village in the Horsham District of West Sussex, England. It lies on the B2135 road 2.4 miles northwest of Henfield....
, West Sussex
West Sussex
West Sussex is a county in the south of England, bordering onto East Sussex , Hampshire and Surrey. The county of Sussex has been divided into East and West since the 12th century, and obtained separate county councils in 1888, but it remained a single ceremonial county until 1974 and the coming...
.