John Anderton
Encyclopedia
John Anderton is an English former professional footballer who played in the Football League
for Torquay United
in the 1950s.
Anderton was born in Skelmersdale
. He began his career as a junior with Everton
, turning professional in March 1951. Over the next three seasons,after suffering several injuries,he failed to make the first team at Goodison Park
, and in July 1954 moved to Torquay United
. His league debut came at right back on 22 September 1954 against Shrewsbury Town
at Plainmoor
, but he finally got his break towards the end of the season when he replaced Harry Smith at left back, playing the final 11 games of the season. He began the following season as first choice, but had to share the spot with Bill Towers
and Smith, making 24 appearances as the Gulls finished in fifth place. He scored on the opening day of the following season, netting the first in a 4–1 home win against Ipswich Town
on 18 August 1956, but suffered a serious injury in the same game, and this proved to be his only appearance of the season as Torquay went on to lose out in the final table to Ipswich on goal average, Smith regaining his place in the side as regular left-back. Returning the following season from injury he made just three more appearances for Torquay before leaving league football in 1959 to join Dover FC helping them to victory in the Kent Senior Cup that season. He subsequently played for Hastings United.
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 Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
in the 1950s.
Anderton was born in Skelmersdale
Skelmersdale
Skelmersdale is a town in West Lancashire, England. It lies on high-ground on the River Tawd, to the west of Wigan, to the northeast of Liverpool, south-southwest of Preston. As of 2006, Skelmersdale had a population of 38,813, down from 41,000 in 2004. The town is known locally as Skem.The...
. He began his career as a junior with 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...
, turning professional in March 1951. Over the next three seasons,after suffering several injuries,he failed to make the first team at Goodison Park
Goodison Park
Goodison Park is a football stadium located in Walton, Liverpool, England. The stadium has been home to Everton F.C. since its completion in 1892 and is one of the world's first purpose-built football grounds...
, and in July 1954 moved to Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
. His league debut came at right back on 22 September 1954 against Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
at Plainmoor
Plainmoor
Plainmoor is a suburb of Torquay, Devon, but is best known as the name of the stadium in which Torquay United Football Club currently play.-History:...
, but he finally got his break towards the end of the season when he replaced Harry Smith at left back, playing the final 11 games of the season. He began the following season as first choice, but had to share the spot with Bill Towers
Bill Towers
William Harry Towers was an English professional footballer. He was born in Leicester.Bill Towers signed for Leicester City from local side Bentley Eng. in January 1945, making 4 league appearances in the first post-war Football League season...
and Smith, making 24 appearances as the Gulls finished in fifth place. He scored on the opening day of the following season, netting the first in a 4–1 home win against Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
on 18 August 1956, but suffered a serious injury in the same game, and this proved to be his only appearance of the season as Torquay went on to lose out in the final table to Ipswich on goal average, Smith regaining his place in the side as regular left-back. Returning the following season from injury he made just three more appearances for Torquay before leaving league football in 1959 to join Dover FC helping them to victory in the Kent Senior Cup that season. He subsequently played for Hastings United.