Joe French (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Joseph "Joe" French was an English professional footballer who played at centre-half for Southampton
and New Brompton in the 1900s.
and was playing football in the local parks, where he was spotted by Harry Haynes
who was coming to the end of his football career. French was given a trial by the Southern League
champions Southampton
in the summer of 1899 which led to a professional
contract.
French spent most of his time at The Dell in the reserves but was a "capable understudy" to England
international Arthur Chadwick
. French made his first-team debut playing at centre-half on 31 March 1900 in a 3–2 victory over Bedminster
, when Chadwick was one of several players who had been "rested" having played in the FA Cup semi-final against Millwall
on the previous Saturday, followed by his England debut against Wales
on Monday 26 March and the FA Cup semi-final replay on Wednesday 28 March, when the "Saints" won 3–0 to reach the Cup Final
for the second time in three seasons.
As Chadwick was still away on England duty, French retained his place for two further matches, before Chadwick's return to the side at the start of a run of four defeats, as a consequence of which Southampton fell away in the league, eventually finishing in third place.
French made three further appearances in September/October 1900, before relinquishing the centre-half shirt to new signing Bert Lee
, who was to go on to make nearly 300 appearances for the "Saints".
In the summer of 1901, French was transferred to fellow Southern League side, New Brompton where he made 17 appearances before returning to Southampton to play for Freemantle
.
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 New Brompton in the 1900s.
Football career
French was born in SouthamptonSouthampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
and was playing football in the local parks, where he was spotted by Harry Haynes
Harry Haynes
Harry Haynes was an English footballer who played as a full back for Wolverhampton Wanderers, Small Heath and Southampton in the 1890s.-Midlands:...
who was coming to the end of his football career. French was given a trial by 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...
champions 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...
in the summer of 1899 which led to a professional
Professional sports
Professional sports, as opposed to amateur sports, are sports in which athletes receive payment for their performance. Professional athleticism has come to the fore through a combination of developments. Mass media and increased leisure have brought larger audiences, so that sports organizations...
contract.
French spent most of his time at The Dell in the reserves but was a "capable understudy" to 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...
international Arthur Chadwick
Arthur Chadwick
Arthur Chadwick was a professional footballer whose playing career included spells at Portsmouth and Southampton, before going on to be manager at Exeter City, Reading and Southampton...
. French made his first-team debut playing at centre-half on 31 March 1900 in a 3–2 victory over Bedminster
Bedminster F.C.
Bedminster F.C. was an English football club based in Bristol. The club was established in 1887 as Southville and played at Ashton Gate. They were founder members of the Bristol & District League in 1892, which became the Western League in 1895...
, when Chadwick was one of several players who had been "rested" having played in the FA Cup semi-final against Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
on the previous Saturday, followed by his England debut against Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
on Monday 26 March and the FA Cup semi-final replay on Wednesday 28 March, when the "Saints" won 3–0 to reach the Cup Final
1900 FA Cup Final
The 1900 FA Cup Final was contested by Bury and Southampton at Crystal Palace. Bury won 4–0, with goals by Jasper McLuckie , Willie Wood and John Plant. This final was the last of the 19th Century and the first victory in the FA Cup for Bury, who beat a team who similarly had never reached...
for the second time in three seasons.
As Chadwick was still away on England duty, French retained his place for two further matches, before Chadwick's return to the side at the start of a run of four defeats, as a consequence of which Southampton fell away in the league, eventually finishing in third place.
French made three further appearances in September/October 1900, before relinquishing the centre-half shirt to new signing Bert Lee
Bert Lee (footballer)
Ernest Albert "Bert" Lee was an English professional footballer who played in the 1902 FA Cup final for Southampton, and also made one appearance for England in 1904...
, who was to go on to make nearly 300 appearances for the "Saints".
In the summer of 1901, French was transferred to fellow Southern League side, New Brompton where he made 17 appearances before returning to Southampton to play for Freemantle
Freemantle F.C.
Freemantle Football Club were a football club based in the Freemantle area of Southampton who were active at the end of the nineteenth century. During their brief heyday, they were rivals to Southampton Football Club...
.