Jerry Best
Encyclopedia
Jeremiah 'Jerry' Best was an English
football player who began his career in England before moving to the American Soccer League
. He led the league in scoring in 1930. In 1931, he returned to England where he finished his career. He was born in Mickley
, England
.
Best began his professional career in December 1919 with Newcastle United
. He played only two games before being transferred Leeds United
in July 1920 for L100. While he began the season as the starting left inside forward, he lost his position to Basil Wood. He left the team in 1921 and spent several years playing non-league football before moving to the United States in 1924 to sign with the Providence F.C. of the American Soccer League
. In his first season in the league, he scored twenty-goals in twenty-nine games. In 1925, he moved to the New Bedford Whalers
where he remained for the next four seasons. In 1929, moved to the Fall River Marksmen
for two games. He then jumped to the Pawtucket Rangers
for the remainder of the season. In the summer of 1930, Best rejoined the Whalers, leading the league in scoring with thirty-five goals in twenty-seven games in the fall 1930 season. In 1931, he moved back to England, signing with Clapton Orient for two seasons. In 1933, he transferred to Darlington
where he became one of the club’s all time leading scorere. He finished his career with Hull City
in the 1936–37 season
.
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 who began his career in England before moving to the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
. He led the league in scoring in 1930. In 1931, he returned to England where he finished his career. He was born in Mickley
Mickley
Mickley is a small hamlet near Prudhoe and Stocksfield in the English county of Northumberland. It lies south of the river Tyne and is accessible via the A695. The neighbouring villages of Mickley Square and High Mickley are usually included under the general name of Mickley. This village once...
, England
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...
.
Best began his professional career in December 1919 with Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
. He played only two games before being transferred Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
in July 1920 for L100. While he began the season as the starting left inside forward, he lost his position to Basil Wood. He left the team in 1921 and spent several years playing non-league football before moving to the United States in 1924 to sign with the Providence F.C. of the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
. In his first season in the league, he scored twenty-goals in twenty-nine games. In 1925, he moved to the New Bedford Whalers
New Bedford Whalers
New Bedford Whalers was the name of three United States soccer teams based in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The first Whalers played in the Southern New England Soccer League between 1914 and 1918. The second Whalers played in the American Soccer League between 1924 and 1931 before merging into Fall...
where he remained for the next four seasons. In 1929, moved to the Fall River Marksmen
Fall River Marksmen
Fall River Marksmen was a United States soccer club, based in Fall River, Massachusetts. They originally played as Fall River United before becoming known as the Marksmen after their owner, Sam Mark. During the 1920s and early 1930s they were one of the most successful soccer clubs in the United...
for two games. He then jumped to the Pawtucket Rangers
Pawtucket Rangers
J. & P. Coats was an American soccer club team of the J. & P. Coats Company based in Pawtucket, Rhode Island having been founded in 1900.The club played won the Rhode Island League in 1914 then was an inaugural member of the semi-pro Southern New England Soccer League...
for the remainder of the season. In the summer of 1930, Best rejoined the Whalers, leading the league in scoring with thirty-five goals in twenty-seven games in the fall 1930 season. In 1931, he moved back to England, signing with Clapton Orient for two seasons. In 1933, he transferred to Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
where he became one of the club’s all time leading scorere. He finished his career with 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...
in the 1936–37 season
1936-37 in English football
The 1936–37 season was the 62nd season of competitive football in England.-Honours:Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour...
.
As a player
DarlingtonDarlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
- Third Division (North) CupFootball League Third Division North CupThe Football League Third Division North Cup was a football knockout competition open to teams competing in Football League Third Division North. The competition was first held in 1933-34 and ran until the 1938-39 season.-Format:...
winner: 1933–341933-34 in English footballThe 1933–34 season was the 59th season of competitive football in England.-Honours:Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour... - Third Division (North) Cup runner-up: 1935–361935-36 in English footballThe 1935–36 season was the 61st season of competitive football in England.-Events:Sunderland AFC won the league, and in doing so they remain the last team to win the English League while wearing striped jerseys...