1920s MORE PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLERS FROM EVENWOOD JUNIORS

THERE IS A POST RELATING TO ARTHUR PURDY ELSWEWHERE ON THE SITE. WE BELIEVE HIM TO BE EVENWOOD’S FIRST PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLER.

JOSEPH BOWMAN, FROM EVENWOOD, WHO PLAYED IN THE SAME EVENWOOD JUNIORS TEAM, FOLLOWED HIM INTO A FOOTBALL CAREER.

OTHER TEAM MEMBERS FROM THAT ERA ALSO ENJOYED CAREERS IN THE PROFESSIONAL GAME. HERE’S SOME DETAILS:

23 February 1949: An article in the Teesdale Mercury warned that the existence of Evenwood Juniors was under threat. It also reported that the club had produced a number of players who had gone on to play the game as professional footballers. Don Ashman (Middlesbrough, QPR, Darlington), Gordon Wilson (Hull City, Luton Town, Norwich City, Barrow), Jake Iceton (Hull, Fulham, Aldershot, Orient), Arthur Purdy (Tottenham Hotspurs, Luton Town, Southend United, Durham City, Blackpool, Norwich City) were named. These players had appeared for Evenwood Juniors during their trophy winning seasons of 1920-21 and 1921-22. Purdy followed Iceton as goalkeeper. Not mentioned in the article was Joseph Bowman (Doncaster Rovers, Chesterfield) who played in both seasons.

In 1949, Fred Bussey was the club secretary and it was stated that he “will be pleased to accept any assistance to keep the flag flying.” About 56 years later, Evenwood Town F.C. suffered similar circumstances – interest had dwindled and the club folded in 2005.

Information about the above named professional footballers is given below.

Donald “Don” ASHMAN (1902-1984)

Don Ashman played left half for the Juniors, 1920-21. His professional career took him to Middlesbrough (1924-32), QPR (1932-35) and Darlington (1935-36). He was born 9 October 1902 at Staindrop, the son of Frederick and Lavinia Ashman and brother of Claude, Maria, Reginald, Percival, Elsie and Lettice. In 1911, his father Frederick worked as a groom,[1] previously, he had been a professional jockey.

Above: 1920-21 season: Don Ashman

After Evenwood Juniors, Don played for Cockfield of the Northern League and was a member of its team that won the first Northern League Cup, 1923-24.[2] Second Division Middlesbrough paid Cockfield £10 to secure his services. Described on Boro’s website as a, “composed half-back…blessed with energy and stamina,” Ashman established himself as a first team regular when Middlesbrough won the 1926-27 Second Division title. He appeared less frequently, 15 games, the following season as Boro failed to keep its First Division status. In 1928-29, Middlesbrough won the Second Division title again but Ashman did not feature greatly. He played regularly during the 1929-30 season, 31 games in the First Division. In total, Don Ashman made 160 appearances, scoring 2 goals.

At the end of the 1931-32 season, he was transferred for a fee of £500 to Queens Park Rangers, then a member of the Third Division South. Between 1932 and 1935, he made 78 appearances, mainly playing as left back.

Ashman was granted a free transfer and joined Darlington of the Third Division North for the 1935-36 season whilst running a newsagent’s shop in Barnard Castle. The Evening Chronicle reported:[3]

“This ex-Middlesbrough left full back – he was at Ayresome Park no fewer than eight seasons – has been with Queens Park Rangers since then. He belongs to the Darlington district and he appreciates the opportunity of turning out for the Feethams Club because he has started a little business in Barnard Castle.”

After 14 games for Darlington he lost his place to Charles Allen, was released and then retired from football.[4]

In June 1929, Don Ashman married Alice Simpson at Cockfield. In 1939, he was recorded as a newsagent in Barnard Castle living at 21 Horse Market. He was a member of the War Voluntary Reserve (Ambulance Driver).[5]

Jacob “Jake” ICETON (1903-1981)

Jacob “Jake” Iceton was goalkeeper for Evenwood Juniors, 1920-21. His professional career took him to Hull City (1925-26), Fulham (1930-35), Aldershot (1935-36) and Clapton Orient (1936-39), now known as Leyton Orient.[6] He was born at West Auckland 22 October 1903, the son of Arthur and Mary Ann Iceton and brother of Joseph and John. In 1911, his father Arthur worked as a blacksmith and the family lived at Millbank, West Auckland.[7]

After Evenwood Juniors, Jake played for Cockfield of the Northern League and was a member of its team that won the first Northern League Cup, 1923-24.[8] His first venture into the professional world was with Second Division Hull City for the 1925-26 season. He did not break through into the first team and returned to south west Durham to play for Shildon.

In the summer of 1930, Jake joined Fulham and made his football league debut in August 1930 v Watford, in the Third Division South. A regular in goal during his first 2 seasons at Craven Cottage, he played 38 matches in their 1931-32 campaign which saw them promoted to the Second Division.

1931-32 Fulham Third Division South League Champions, Jake Iceton, goalkeeper

Iceton lost his place to Alf Toothill in December 1932. Fulham finished 3rd and narrowly missed out on promotion to League One, then the top flight division. He played for the next 3 seasons and after 99 appearances joined Aldershot in the 1935 close season.

Iceton had a single season at Aldershot before returning to London to join Clapton Orient in the summer of 1936. He broke into the O’s first team in December 1937 being the first choice keeper until January 1939 when he lost his place to Stan Hall.

1937 Jake Iceton, Clapton Orient

Having made 44 appearances, he left to join Worcester City in the Birmingham & District League. His career effectively ended with the outbreak of the Second World War.[9]

In 1933, Jacob Iceton married Mary E. Wardle.[10] In 1939, the family lived at Morton Avenue, Droitwich, Worcestershire where Jacob worked as a general labourer. It looks as though Jacob Iceton returned to his native County Durham. He died aged 77 in 1981, registered in Western Durham.[11]

Gordon Gill WILSON (1904-1947)

Gordon Wilson was a left back for Evenwood Juniors, 1920-21. He played professional football for Hull City (1926-31), Luton Town (1931-32), Norwich City (1932-34) and Barrow (1934-35).

Gordon Gill Wilson was born 18 June 1904, the son of William and Susan Wilson, the brother of Annie, Thomas, Abigail, Moses, Luke, Mary, Susannah, Catherine, Albert and Isabelle. In 1911, his father William was a coal miner and the family lived at West Auckland.[12]

After Evenwood Juniors, he played for Bishop Auckland of the Northern League and Scotswood of the Northern Alliance before joining Second Division Hull City in April 1926. Hull’s manager Bill McCracken regularly raided the leagues in the North East for talent. Gordon Wilson played left back when the regular defender Matt Bell was injured. Aged 21, he made his debut v Wolverhampton Wanderers, 1 May 1926. Between 1925 and 1931, he made 28 appearances scoring 1 goal. His longest run in the team came between March and April 1929 when he started 11 consecutive games and scored his only goal v Middlesbrough. Gordon’s final game for Hull was 21 March 1931 v Crewe Alexandra in Division Three North.

In June 1931, Wilson joined Luton Town in Division Three South, making 7 appearances before in May 1932, being transferred to Norwich City, also of the Division Three South.

He spent 2 seasons at Norwich, making only 1 appearance in each season. Norwich City won the league in 1933-34 but Gordon was not a regular team member.

In June 1934, he was transferred to Barrow in Division Three North and spent half a season as a regular starter, playing his last game in January 1935.[13]

Above: Gordon Wilson, Hull City

In 1924, Gordon married Gladys Carrick, registered at Auckland.[14] By 1939, Gordon Wilson was back home in West Auckland, living at 19 Station Road and working as a colliery labourer.[15] He died 15 October 1947, aged 43 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Gordon Wilson is buried at West Auckland cemetery.[16]

Joseph “Joe” BOWMAN (1902-1941)

Joe Bowman was a left back and played for Evenwood Juniors in both successful seasons, 1920-21 and 1921-22. He played professional football for Doncaster Rovers (1924-1932) and Chesterfield (1932-1936).

Joseph Bowman was born 7 November 1902, the son of Etty Madge Parkin (nee Bowman). His step father was Thomas Henry Parkin and half-brother was Harry Parkin. In 1911, the family lived with Etty’s father Joseph Bowman, a 67 years old widower and banksman at the local colliery. They lived at Chapel Street, Evenwood.

Joe Bowman joined Doncaster Rovers in 1924, then in Division Three North. Between 1924 and 1932, he made 201 appearances in all competitions, scoring 1 goal.

Above: Season 1924-25, Joe Bowman, Doncaster Rovers

Joe was transferred to Chesterfield in Division Two during the 1931-32 season, making his debut v Tottenham Hotspurs in a 3-3 draw on 13 February 1932. He made 31 appearances in total, playing his last game against Stoke City on 15 April 1933.

Above: Season 1930-31: Doncaster Rovers, Joe Bowman 3rd row, standing 5th right.

After Chesterfield he moved into non-league football including playing for Broad Oaks Works.[17]

In 1924, Joseph Bowman married Eva Rewcastle at West Auckland.[18] By 1939, Joe and Eva lived at 140 Hunloke Avenue, Chesterfield.[19] They had 2 children Joan and Joseph. In 1941, Joe Bowman died aged 38. [20]

Arthur PURDY (1904-1970)

Arthur Purdy followed Jake Iceton as goalkeeper for the 1921-22 season. The peak of his professional career was the 1928 – 29 season when he made 21 appearances in goal for Blackpool in the Second Division and they finished a creditable 8th. He signed for Tottenham Hotspurs in 1923, playing for their reserves, before joining Luton Town and making his Football League debut in October 1925. Arthur also played for Southend United, Durham City, Blackpool and Norwich City making a total of 95 appearances between 1925 and 1930.

Above: Season 1925 – 26: Arthur Purdy is in the back row, third left.

Arthur was born 23 July 1904 at Evenwood, the son of Robert and Mary Purdy. There were at least 2 brothers, Robert and William. The family lived at West View, Evenwood. Arthur’s father, Robert worked as Randolph Colliery as an engineman. Older brothers Robert and William both worked at Randolph as, “drivers”.[21]

In 1927, Arthur Purdy married Eleanor Turvey at Rochford, Essex.[22] In 1939, Arthur lived with his “in-laws”, Albert and Sarah Turvey and their son Leonard. He worked as a bus driver. Arthur Purdy died 25 October 1970, aged 66, at Thirsk, North Yorkshire. Eleanor Purdy died in 1974, also at Thirsk.

[1] 1911 census

[2] “Northern Goalfields Revisited “2000 B. Hunt & M. Amos p.119 & 120

[3] 15 August 1935 Evening Chronicle

[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Ashman

[5] 1939 England & Wales Register

[6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jake_Iceton

[7] 1911 census

[8] “Northern Goalfields Revisited “2000 B. Hunt & M. Amos p.119 & 120

[9] https://www.vintagefootballers.com/product/iceton-jake-image-1-clapton-orient-1936/

[10] England & Wales Marriage Index 1916-2005 Vol.10a p.461 Auckland Q3 1933

[11] England & Wales Death Index 1916-2007 Vol.1 p.1373 Durham Western Q2 1981

[12] 1911 Census – no specific address was recorded.