RootsChat.Com

England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Staffordshire => Topic started by: mastead on Monday 16 January 12 17:41 GMT (UK)

Title: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: mastead on Monday 16 January 12 17:41 GMT (UK)
Hello, i just wondered if anyone has any information on Stephen Smith  the footballer from Hazelslade who played for Aston villa.
He was the brother of my GG grandad
I have googled him and can only find his footballing stats
 
                                                              Thanks Lisa
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: MargP on Monday 16 January 12 18:12 GMT (UK)
Hi Lisa

Do you have his year and place of birth, is Hazleslade Cannock way, and who his parents were?

Margp
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: MargP on Monday 16 January 12 18:19 GMT (UK)
Hi Lisa

Is this him

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Smith_(footballer)

Margp
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: mastead on Monday 16 January 12 18:43 GMT (UK)
Thanks Margp, yes this is him he was born 14 Jan 1874
I have his football career it was his personal life i was after
Was he married and did he have any children

                                                     Thanks Lisa
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: mastead on Monday 16 January 12 18:45 GMT (UK)
His father was also called Stephen and his mother was Elizabeth formally Collyer
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: MargP on Monday 16 January 12 20:20 GMT (UK)
Hi

This is the only marriage I could find for a Stephen Smith in the area he lived it looks good to me

Susan Blastock
Birth Date: abt 1873 age: 22
Father's Name: Charles Blastock
Stephen Smith Age: 21
Father's Name: Stephen Smith
Marriage Date: 3 Jun 1895
Marriage Place: Hednesford, Staffordshire, England

Margp
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: MargP on Monday 16 January 12 20:38 GMT (UK)
Hi

This looks like Susan in 1901 all living at 3 Chapel St Hazel Slade

Susan Smith b 1874 Wednesbury
Stephen C Smith b 1896 Hazel Slade
William Smith b 1900 Hazel Slade
Samuel Alldritt b 1891 Visitor

I have found Stephen Smith b 1874 in Blackpool in 1901 census as a Footballer

Margp
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: mastead on Monday 16 January 12 20:58 GMT (UK)
OOOh thanks Margp, i wonder which one it is ?
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: MargP on Monday 16 January 12 21:37 GMT (UK)
Hi

Stephen Smith b 1874, in the 1901 census was staying at the Station Hotel Blackpool it looks like all the football team were there, so they may have been playing an away game.

Margp
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: mastead on Monday 16 January 12 21:39 GMT (UK)
Thanks Margp,  I think thats the right one i might research a bit and find out what match they were playing lol
I dont know if he married then
Thanks for all your help
                                         Lisa
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: MargP on Monday 16 January 12 21:59 GMT (UK)
Yes he did marry and had children see my posts 5 and 6

Margp
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: mastead on Monday 16 January 12 22:21 GMT (UK)
Lol sorry blonde moment
I have discovered that all the Aston villa football team were stopping at the Station hotel Blackpool
although i dont know why, they played Birmingham city away on 23/3/1901 and then at home on 27/3/1901 and on the sat 30/3/1901 they were at home to Sheffield united
perhaps they were having a rest at the seaside!!!
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: MargP on Monday 16 January 12 22:26 GMT (UK)
Hi Lisa

I would contact all the all the Football teams he played for, to see if they have any information on him.

Margp

Edit  I would also contact Birmingham and Staffordshire Archives
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: MargP on Monday 16 January 12 22:48 GMT (UK)
Lol sorry blonde moment
I have discovered that all the Aston villa football team were stopping at the Station hotel Blackpool
although i dont know why, they played Birmingham city away on 23/3/1901 and then at home on 27/3/1901 and on the sat 30/3/1901 they were at home to Sheffield united
perhaps they were having a rest at the seaside!!!
Hi Lisa the 1901 census was taken on the 31 March 1901 so he either went after the match or the next day, as you say probably for a rest, far from the perks the footballers get today.

Margp
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: MargP on Tuesday 17 January 12 08:33 GMT (UK)
Hi Lisa

Have you seen this link on him

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/ASTONsmithS.htm

Marg
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: paulmh on Sunday 05 February 12 21:32 GMT (UK)
Hello, i just wondered if anyone has any information on Stephen Smith  the footballer from Hazelslade who played for Aston villa.
He was the brother of my GG grandad
I have googled him and can only find his footballing stats
 
                                                              Thanks Lisa


I am by not a fan of Aston Villa but I am a football nut who has lots of reference books etc on various teams - I have the 'Who's Who of Aston Villa' by Tony Matthews on my bookshelf. The information given on Smith was:

Smith, Stephen
Outside-Left   194 apps 42 goals
Born: Abbotts Langley, 14 January 1874
Died: Benson, Oxfordshire, 19 May 1935

Career: Cannock and Rugeley Colliery, Cannock Town, Rugeley Ceal FC, Hednesford Town (September 1891), Aston Villa (August 1893), Portsmouth (May 1901), New Brompton (July 1906; then player/manager, December 1906-May 1908), lived in Portsmouth until 1932; then manager of Roke Stores, Benson (Oxfordshire).

Smith was an accomplished winger, very tricky, who could pass a ball with pinpoint accuracy and produce a stunning shot. A player who rose to big occasion, he was signed by Fred Rinder after doing a ten-hour shift as a haulage machine operator at the coal-face. He shared the left-wing berth with Albert Woolley when Villa won the League title in 1893-94, and the figured prominently when the same prize was won four times in five seasons between 1896 and 1900. He also gained two FA Cup-winner’s medals (1895, 1897) and was capped by England against Scotland in 1895. He helped Pompey (Portsmouth) win the Southern League in 1902.

- I have other reference books at my disposal and I am sure that given a day or two I can help further!
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: mastead on Monday 06 February 12 09:23 GMT (UK)
Thanks for that Paulmh, I cant believe ive got such an interesting ancestor lol,
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: millymcb on Monday 06 February 12 11:39 GMT (UK)
Hi Mastead. I wonder if he played against my ancestor Arthur Lockett

And Paul - would you be able to see if you have anything on him in any of your books.  I've got various references from the internet and a newspaper report from when he played for England in 1903. Plus his military records and marriage/children - but if there is a little write up about him in a book that would be interesting.
Arthur Lockett - born 1877 Audley, Staffordshire

1900 & 1902 Stoke
1902 & 1904 Aston Villa
19051907 Preston North End 
Watford
Mardy (post war)

Thanks

Milly
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: paulmh on Monday 06 February 12 13:53 GMT (UK)
(Source: Who’s who of Stoke City By: Tony Matthews)

Lockett, Arthur Henry
Outside-Left   73 Apps 7 goals
Born: Alsagers Bank near Stoke-on-Trent, 13 August 1877
Died: Crewe, 1957

Career: Crewe Alexandra, Stoke (May 1900), Aston Villa (£40, April 1903), Preston North End (September 1905), Watford (July 1908), Port Vale (May-December 1912).

Regarded as a ‘swift winger’ with energy and pace, Arthur Lockett, and England international capped against February 1903 (won 4-0), he also represented the Football League the following year. A player who loved to dribble with the ball, he struck five goals in 41 games for Villa and five in 64 for Preston but failed to make the first XI with Port Vale.

========================================================

(Source: Who’s who of Aston Villa By: Tony Matthews)

Lockett, Arthur Henry
Outside-Left   41 Apps 5 goals
Born: Alsagers Bank near Stoke-on-Trent, 13 August 1877
Died: Crewe, 1957

Career: Crewe Alexandra, Stoke (May 1900), Aston Villa (April 1903), Preston North End (September 1905), Watford (July 1908-May 1912); returned to North Staffs, then non-league football, retired 1915.

A very swift and talented winger, Lockett’s only fault was that he held on to the ball a fraction too long at times. Nethertheless, he had an excellent career, amassed more than 350 appearances and scored over 25 goals. Capped by England in February 1903 in a 4-0 win over Ireland, he also represented the Football League.


* Lockett played for the Football League on 10 October 1903 against the Scottish League in Glasgow; the English league winning 2-1 with goals from Bloomer and Sagar. Lockett played at no: 11.

Sadly I don’t have any reference books on Watford and my one on Preston doesn’t cover this era! There are other sources which I can review though and shall do soon.




Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: paulmh on Monday 06 February 12 14:11 GMT (UK)
STEPHEN SMITH

Further to my research into the Football League games; I found on 13 April 1895 the English Football League beat Scottish League 4-1 in Glasgow, Devey and an hat-trick from Becton scored. There is a Smith, S listed as playing at number 11. This could be the same Stephen Smith who turned out for Villa.

There is also a same Smith S who played (no 11) for the Football League in Birmingham against Scottish League on 8 April 1898. Beats scored for English League in a 1-2 defeat.

My official resources tell me that Smith represented the FL twice, therefore I can only assume that these are the two games he played in!
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: paulmh on Monday 06 February 12 14:23 GMT (UK)
Source England: The Football Facts (Dean Hayes)

Stephen Smith
Outside-Left
Born: Abbots Bromley, 14 January 1874
Died: 19 May 1935

Clubs: Cannock Town, Rugeley, Ceal FC, Aston Villa, Portsmouth, New Brompton

Caps: 1

6 April 1895 v Scotland
Result: 3-0
Goals: 1


Arthur Lockett
Outside-Left
Born: Alsagars Bank, 3 October 1875
Died: 1957

Clubs: Alsagars FC, Crewe Alexandra, Stoke, Aston Villa, Preston North End, Watford.

Caps:

2 March 1903 v Wales
Result: 2-1


Again I have further resources but will have to wait a day or two to dig them out. I also have access to online newspapers and may be able to find a few out but will email you them if you PM me your email address please.
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: mastead on Monday 06 February 12 16:30 GMT (UK)
Hi Paulmh, thanks for the fantastic information, do you know if there is any info on his son who was also said to be a professional footballer he was Stephen Smith also.
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: paulmh on Monday 06 February 12 21:04 GMT (UK)
Hi Paulmh, thanks for the fantastic information, do you know if there is any info on his son who was also said to be a professional footballer he was Stephen Smith also.

When was he born? There are a few Stephen Smith's who played in the Football League.
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: mastead on Monday 06 February 12 22:07 GMT (UK)
He was Stephen C Smith born 1896 in Hazelslade, Staffs
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: paulmh on Monday 06 February 12 22:20 GMT (UK)
He was Stephen C Smith born 1896 in Hazelslade, Staffs

There is a Stephen Charles Smith; born Hednesford 27 March 1896. He was an Outside-Left and played for Portsmouth, West Ham, Charlton, Southend, Orient, QPR and Mansfield Town.

Would that be him?
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: millymcb on Monday 06 February 12 22:50 GMT (UK)
Hi Paul - thanks for the fascinating footy facts on Arthur Lockett.. I've got the Times match report for the England Ireland game in 1903 which mentions him by name.  He was good in the first half apparently ;D

But I don't have any club match reports. 

it's fascinating to think of his ordinary family being able to read about him in the papers

Milly
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: millymcb on Tuesday 07 February 12 00:22 GMT (UK)
 ???

Can I just check please? ... Your post has Arthur Lockett England cap 2 March 1903 v Wales Score 2-1

As far as I can tell he only got one cap 14 Feb 1903 v Ireland score 4-0

Is that a typo or is it wrong in the book? Or maybe it's another cap no one knows about?


Thanks

Milly
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: paulmh on Tuesday 07 February 12 11:11 GMT (UK)
???

Can I just check please? ... Your post has Arthur Lockett England cap 2 March 1903 v Wales Score 2-1

As far as I can tell he only got one cap 14 Feb 1903 v Ireland score 4-1

Is that a typo or is it wrong in the book? Or maybe it's another cap no one knows about?


Thanks

Milly

It was 14 Feb, I was looking at the wrong player when I was typing it out.
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: millymcb on Tuesday 07 February 12 11:34 GMT (UK)
Thanks - just the one cap then...but still good ;D

Milly
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: mastead on Tuesday 07 February 12 18:49 GMT (UK)
Hi Paul
 thanks for your info, yes that sounds like the one, only i cant find him on wikipedia
do you know if there is any pictures of him , Lisa
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: juiceanca on Tuesday 07 February 12 21:43 GMT (UK)
1911 census details deleted - please see http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,355484.0.html
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: paulmh on Monday 13 February 12 07:05 GMT (UK)
I said I had further information that I had yet to dig out. It is from a book called ‘An English Football Internationalists’ Who’s Who’ By: Douglas Lamming (1990) – both Stephen Smith and Arthur Lockett are listed in this book.

LOCKETT, Arthur
(Stoke, 1903, 1)
Born: Alsagers Bank nr. Stoke-on-Trent
Died: 1957
1903: Height: 5ft 8ins      Weight: 11st 7lbs

Career: Alsagers Bank FC, Crewe Alexandra, Stoke May 1900, Aston Villa April 1903 (£400), Preston North End September 1905, Watford cs 1908-12. Other honour” Football League (1 app).

Outside-Left. Greatly talented amd possessing tremendous speed. Like many of his kind, though, had van inclination to bamboozle the same opposition twice, thus holding up an attack. Attracted a sizeable fee by 1900s standards from Villa.




SMITH, Stephen
(Aston Villa, 1895, 1)
Born: Abbots Bromley, Staffs. 14 January 1874
Died: 19 May 1935
1895: Height: 5ft 4ins      Weight: 11st 6lbs

Career: Cannock Town, Rugeley, Ceal FC (Hednesford), Aston Villa cs 1893, Portsmouth May 1901, New Brompton cs 1906, serving as player/manager November 1906-cs 1908. Other honours: Football League (2 apps). (Villa) Football League Champions 1894, 1896, 1897, 1899, 1900. Portsmouth (Southern League), 1902.

Outside-Left. Squat in build and no doubt hardened by previous labours at Hednesford Colliery. ‘With great speed he also passes very accuratley and is further a safe shot at goal,’ was an early verdict. Played a ‘blinder’ in his International but, even so, was never picked again. Partnered his brother, William while at Pompey; and his son, Stephen Jnr., also a left-winger, assisted 4 London clubs as well Southend during the ‘Twenties. An Oxfordshire shopkeeper for the last 3 years of his life.

* There was some information which escaped my research but now I have it; New Brompton are now comminly known as Gillingham FC. When Smith played for them they were in the Southern League (non-league).
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: mastead on Monday 13 February 12 09:19 GMT (UK)
Wow, so William was also a footballer, i didnt realise i was from such a sporty family it must have completely missed my generation lol although i do like football.
Thank you so much for your interesting information its brought another branch of my tree to life. Lisa
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: millymcb on Monday 13 February 12 12:27 GMT (UK)
....inclination to bamboozle the same opposition twice, thus holding up an attack. 


Thanks for all this info Paul....  I wonder what the "bamboozle the same opposition twice" bit is all about ;D

Milly
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: mastead on Monday 13 February 12 12:40 GMT (UK)
Millymcb, i wonder if they knew each other lol, My family are also all from Ardwick in Manchester and i also have Steele in my family. Lisa
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: paulmh on Monday 13 February 12 21:38 GMT (UK)
....inclination to bamboozle the same opposition twice, thus holding up an attack. 


Thanks for all this info Paul....  I wonder what the "bamboozle the same opposition twice" bit is all about ;D

Milly

Sheffield United used to have a player like that, Peter Ndlovu - he used bamboozle the defence. He'd successfuly out wit his opponent by breezing past them then he'd decide to backtrack and go round them again!

You may wish to take a look at my website: http://footballresearches.weebly.com - I'll try and write up a piece on these players for the site.
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: paulmh on Monday 13 February 12 21:50 GMT (UK)
Wow, so William was also a footballer, i didnt realise i was from such a sporty family it must have completely missed my generation lol although i do like football.
Thank you so much for your interesting information its brought another branch of my tree to life. Lisa

What can you tell me about William; place & dob please? I think I have him in my records just needs confirmation.
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: millymcb on Monday 13 February 12 23:43 GMT (UK)
....inclination to bamboozle the same opposition twice, thus holding up an attack. 


Thanks for all this info Paul....  I wonder what the "bamboozle the same opposition twice" bit is all about ;D

Milly

Sheffield United used to have a player like that, Peter Ndlovu - he used bamboozle the defence. He'd successfuly out wit his opponent by breezing past them then he'd decide to backtrack and go round them again!

You may wish to take a look at my website: http://footballresearches.weebly.com - I'll try and write up a piece on these players for the site.

If a job's worth doing it's worth doing twice ;D

Thanks - I'll take a look at your website...and it will be nice for him to get a write up.

Milly
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: millymcb on Monday 13 February 12 23:45 GMT (UK)
Millymcb, i wonder if they knew each other lol, My family are also all from Ardwick in Manchester and i also have Steele in my family. Lisa

They may well have played against each other - although it looks like he may have moved down south by the time Arthur got going

I have Smiths and Steeles... you never know!

Milly
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: mastead on Tuesday 14 February 12 07:48 GMT (UK)
Hi Paul,
               William Smith was born in Rugeley, Staffs in 1876 and died in 1955 Gosport.

                                       Hope this helps Lisa
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: paulmh on Tuesday 14 February 12 09:55 GMT (UK)
Hi Paul,
               William Smith was born in Rugeley, Staffs in 1876 and died in 1955 Gosport.

                                       Hope this helps Lisa

My geography isn't great so I need some help on this please. I have a William Smith you played for Portsmouth who looks to match. However he was born in Bilston in 1872 (my source doesn't always get the year of birth correct); there is no mention of death date either.

I believe I have the right person but would like to confirm it first before I carry on.
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: mastead on Tuesday 14 February 12 16:50 GMT (UK)
Hi Paul, i have checked and there is about 18miles between Hazel slade, Rugeley and Bilston so it could be right,  but the date of birth is deffinately 1876

                                                                                     Lisa
Title: Re: Stephen Smith Footballer
Post by: paulmh on Wednesday 15 February 12 05:51 GMT (UK)
Hi Paul, i have checked and there is about 18miles between Hazel slade, Rugeley and Bilston so it could be right,  but the date of birth is deffinately 1876

                                                                                     Lisa

Okay, cheers! It says that he played for Portsmouth FC so I'll take a look there before they go under, lol. Seriously - as a football fan I hope they'll be okay, its the fans I always feel sorry for.