John Sewell (footballer)
Encyclopedia
John David Sewell was a professional footballer who had a long career in the English Football League
, before continuing as player and coach in the North American Soccer League
(NASL) during the 1970s. Nicknamed "The Duke", Sewell boasts the distinction of never having been booked during his English playing career.
A key man at centre-half in the Kent League team at Bexleyheath, Sewell was transferred to Charlton Athletic
on January 5, 1955. Almost immediately, however, he spent two years in national service, and finally made his league debut for Charlton at right-half against Sheffield Wednesday in January 1957, a year in which the club struggled (and ultimately failed) to avoid relegation from the First Division. After not making the first team the following season, he was named again to the squad in December, 1958 – this time at full-back, a position he played for the rest of his career.
on October 25, 1963. Between 1963 and 1971, he made 258 appearances for Palace, scoring nine goals, mainly from the penalty spot. He became club captain in 1967-68, when Alan Stephenson left to join West Ham
, and in 1969, led Palace to the First Division for the first time in the club’s history.
In 1970, his last season with Palace, he scored his best remembered goal in the closing seconds of a Division One match against league leaders Leeds United. The visitors were a goal up when the ball came to Sewell, thirty yards from goal, who chose to hit a speculative lob back into the penalty area. The Leeds goalkeeper, Gary Sprake
, caught the ball at his goal line, and then inexplicably dropped it behind him into his own net.
In 1971, Sewell received a testimonial for his services to Palace, against Belgian club RFC Bruges. It was his last game in a Palace shirt. That same year, he joined an exodus of players leaving Selhurst Park to join their former coach George Petchey at Leyton Orient
.
for the St. Louis Stars
. Sewell spent four seasons (1972–1975) playing with the Stars, seeing time in 58 games and scoring 4 goals. In 1975, he was named NASL Coach of the Year, for his success guiding a St. Louis squad comprised almost exclusively of home-grown American players, an oddity in the era of Pelé
, Franz Beckenbauer
, and other high-priced imports. At the end of the 1977 season, the Stars moved to Anaheim, California
where the team became known as the California Surf
. Sewell made the move to California with the team and continued to coach through the end of the 1981 season.
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...
, before continuing as player and coach in the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
(NASL) during the 1970s. Nicknamed "The Duke", Sewell boasts the distinction of never having been booked during his English playing career.
Early career
As a young athlete, Sewell played fly-half at rugby and was twice selected to play for England Schools’ Under 15 team. On leaving school, he first became a sprinter with Blackheath Harriers, and then signed as a professional footballer for Bexleyheath & Welling in 1954.A key man at centre-half in the Kent League team at Bexleyheath, Sewell was transferred to Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
on January 5, 1955. Almost immediately, however, he spent two years in national service, and finally made his league debut for Charlton at right-half against Sheffield Wednesday in January 1957, a year in which the club struggled (and ultimately failed) to avoid relegation from the First Division. After not making the first team the following season, he was named again to the squad in December, 1958 – this time at full-back, a position he played for the rest of his career.
Crystal Palace
Sewell made 204 first team appearances for Charlton, scoring five goals, before signing for London rivals Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
on October 25, 1963. Between 1963 and 1971, he made 258 appearances for Palace, scoring nine goals, mainly from the penalty spot. He became club captain in 1967-68, when Alan Stephenson left to join West Ham
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...
, and in 1969, led Palace to the First Division for the first time in the club’s history.
In 1970, his last season with Palace, he scored his best remembered goal in the closing seconds of a Division One match against league leaders Leeds United. The visitors were a goal up when the ball came to Sewell, thirty yards from goal, who chose to hit a speculative lob back into the penalty area. The Leeds goalkeeper, Gary Sprake
Gary Sprake
Gareth Sprake is a Welsh former professional footballer. A goalkeeper, he played for Leeds United and Birmingham City and also won 37 caps for Wales....
, caught the ball at his goal line, and then inexplicably dropped it behind him into his own net.
In 1971, Sewell received a testimonial for his services to Palace, against Belgian club RFC Bruges. It was his last game in a Palace shirt. That same year, he joined an exodus of players leaving Selhurst Park to join their former coach George Petchey at Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
.
NASL
After just one season, however, Sewell left for America to play in the fledgling North American Soccer LeagueNorth American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
for the St. Louis Stars
St. Louis Stars (soccer)
The St. Louis Stars were a soccer team based in St. Louis, Missouri that played in the original NASL from 1967 to 1977.-History:The St. Louis Stars, founded in 1967 as a team in the NPSL were the first ever professional soccer team in St. Louis. The team was headed by Bob Hermann who later went on...
. Sewell spent four seasons (1972–1975) playing with the Stars, seeing time in 58 games and scoring 4 goals. In 1975, he was named NASL Coach of the Year, for his success guiding a St. Louis squad comprised almost exclusively of home-grown American players, an oddity in the era of Pelé
Pelé
However, Pelé has always maintained that those are mistakes, that he was actually named Edson and that he was born on 23 October 1940.), best known by his nickname Pelé , is a retired Brazilian footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time...
, Franz Beckenbauer
Franz Beckenbauer
Franz Anton Beckenbauer is a German football coach, manager, and former player, nicknamed Der Kaiser because of his elegant style, his leadership, his first name "Franz" , and his dominance on the football pitch...
, and other high-priced imports. At the end of the 1977 season, the Stars moved to Anaheim, California
Anaheim, California
Anaheim is a city in Orange County, California. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was about 365,463, making it the most populated city in Orange County, the 10th most-populated city in California, and ranked 54th in the United States...
where the team became known as the California Surf
California Surf
The California Surf were a soccer club based in Anaheim, California who played in the North American Soccer League from 1978 to 1981. Their home field was Anaheim Stadium.They originally were the St. Louis Stars...
. Sewell made the move to California with the team and continued to coach through the end of the 1981 season.