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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: Alexander. on Saturday 29 October 22 16:06 BST (UK)

Title: Harry Hall football career
Post by: Alexander. on Saturday 29 October 22 16:06 BST (UK)
I have known for many years that my great uncle Harry Hall had been a professional footballer, however did not know anything more.

Finally made a breakthrough with the 1921 census, which shows his occupation as Footballer (Pro), Lincoln City F.C. (attached below).

On Wikipedia there are a couple of articles which appear a little confused:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Hall_(footballer,_born_1900) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Hall_(footballer,_born_1900))
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Hall_(footballer,_born_1893) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Hall_(footballer,_born_1893))

I think that my Harry was the first one, although the birth year and a few details are incorrect. However the second one also shows as played for Lincoln City, which I think may be an error.

My Harry was born in 1897 in Southwell, Nottinghamshire, and died 23 Jun 1924 in Beeston, Nottinghamshire. I have his death certificate, and occupation is shown as "engineers press operator", so apparently not still earning his living from football by that point.

Harry had married Maggie Everitt in 1922 in Nottingham, and they had one son, Frank born in 1923 who sadly died aged 4. When Frank was born in July 1923, Harry was recorded as a footballer but no other detail. I have not been able to trace what happened to Maggie after Harry's death.

I am curious to learn out more about Harry's football career, however it has been quite confusing, as there were a few footballers of the same name in the same period. I know for certain that he is not the Harry Hall who played for Sheffield United. From what I can tell it looks like Harry played for Lincoln City then Darlington, but I am not sure if he played professionally before this.

Thanks,

Alexander
Title: Re: Harry Hall football career
Post by: Spelk on Saturday 29 October 22 16:33 BST (UK)
Probably worth writing to the football clubs where you think he played. Enclose a stamped addressed envelope if using paper.
Worked for me when chasing up my G Uncle Bobby MUSGROVE who played for Barnsley, Durham City and possibly Leeds though Leeds United said that had no record of him.
Title: Re: Harry Hall football career
Post by: Alexander. on Saturday 29 October 22 16:55 BST (UK)
Good idea, I will try to contact those clubs.

Thanks,
Alexander
Title: Re: Harry Hall football career
Post by: Spelk on Saturday 29 October 22 17:01 BST (UK)
Some newspaper items -

Lincolnshire Echo 5 Oct 1923 -
In the Darlington ranks will be seen Harry Hall, the erstwhile Lincoln right winger ~~

Lincolnshire Echo of 8 Dec 1923 =
Harry Hall, ex-Lincoln City, has lost his place on the Darlington right wing to a local lad named Kirkham.

Lincolnshire Echo 6 Feb 1926 -
congratulations to Harry Hall, the ex-Lincolnshire forward, upon securing a place in the Manchester United first team this afternoon.
Hall was with Acrington Stanley last season, and has developed into a clever right winger,

The last one casts some doubt on when he died.
Title: Re: Harry Hall football career
Post by: CaroleW on Saturday 29 October 22 19:15 BST (UK)
There are 2 births in 1897 for a Harry Hall

If your Harry was b Southwell then he is the birth reg June qtr 1897 Southwell  mmn Kemp

There is also a Harry Hall birth Basford March qtr 1897  mmn Ambler

Also a March qtr 1896 birth in Worksop

Were his parents Charles Hall & Harriet Kemp?

Maggie Everitt was b 1897 Melton Mowbray

Did Maggie report his death?

Title: Re: Harry Hall football career
Post by: Alexander. on Saturday 29 October 22 20:31 BST (UK)
Lincolnshire Echo 6 Feb 1926 -
congratulations to Harry Hall, the ex-Lincolnshire forward, upon securing a place in the Manchester United first team this afternoon.
Hall was with Acrington Stanley last season, and has developed into a clever right winger,

The last one casts some doubt on when he died.

Yes this is where some of my confusion came from, but I think this last Harry Hall is the one who played for Sheffield. He lived in Newark where he died in 1961.

There are 2 births in 1897 for a Harry Hall

If your Harry was b Southwell then he is the birth reg June qtr 1897 Southwell  mmn Kemp

There is also a Harry Hall birth Basford March qtr 1897  mmn Ambler

Also a March qtr 1896 birth in Worksop

Were his parents Charles Hall & Harriet Kemp?

Maggie Everitt was b 1897 Melton Mowbray

Did Maggie report his death?

Yes, Harry was born 4 May 1897 in Southwell. Parents Charley Hall and Harriet Ann Kemp. I've had no problem tracing his parents, it's mainly Harry himself.

Maggie did register Harry's death (well she is recorded as "M. Hall, widow of deceased"). The address he died at in Beeston was his parents' address, so I know for certain that I have the right death record.

Maggie was born 6 Sep 1897 in Saltby, Leics according to her birth cert. I've tried searching the 1939 Register and GRO death indexes for any Maggie or Margaret with this birth date, but not come up with any that fit. She appeared as Maggie in all records, except the 1921 census which shows her as Margaret.

I have just ordered his son Frank's death certificate (1927) to see if that shows Maggie under a different surname, if she had remarried by that point.
Title: Re: Harry Hall football career
Post by: Alexander. on Wednesday 02 November 22 14:52 GMT (UK)
I have just received Frank's death certificate:

13 Aug 1927, Sanatorium, Gilroes R.D.
Frank Hall, male, 4 yrs, of Ullesthorpe R.D., son of Harry Hall, Professional Footballer (deceased)
Cause of death 1a Tuberculous meningitis, b Tuberculous hip joint. No P.M. Certified by H. Stanley Banks, M.B.
Registered 15 Aug 1927 by M. Everitt, aunt, of Rowsley House, Rowsley St, Leicester.

Was hoping Maggie might have been the informant, but no luck.

I know Frank is buried in Beeston cemetery in the same grave as his father, Maggie is not with them.

Will have to investigate the aunt M. Everitt - but got to go for now.
Title: Re: Harry Hall football career
Post by: Spelk on Wednesday 02 November 22 16:11 GMT (UK)
Sure is confusing as to which Harry Hall is which.

Lincolnshire Chronicle 13 May 1910 - Signing-On News -
Harry Hall, outside right, of Rotherham Town Club, has been secured to play with Huddersfield Town Club next season.

Lincolnshire Chronicle 14 Aug 1911 - Grimsby Town - ~~ The new forwards include Harry Hall, a West Yorkshire man and an outside-right, who was with Huddersfield Town last season. ~`

Ripley and Heanor News and Ilkeston Division Free Press, 17 Dec 1920 - Notes on Sport - Harry Hall, centre-forward, of Ilkeston, has been transferred to Sheffield Wednesday.

Sheffield Independent 1 Dec 1920 - Wednesday’s New Man - Wednesday left early yesterday afternoon for Cardiff, with a new centre-foward in Harry Hall, of Ilkeston Unites; who played with Sheffield United he year before the war.

Derby Daily Telegraph 28 January 1922 - Wednesday and Hall - We understand that Sheffield Wednesday would not refuse any reasonable offer for Harry Hall, the ex-Ilkeston Town Forward. ~~ Hall’s best position is centre forward.

Stapleford & Sandiacre News, 03 Mar 1923 - I hear that Harry Hall, late of Long Eton and Sheffield Wednesday, is now assisting Newark as a full back in the Central Alliance.
Title: Re: Harry Hall football career
Post by: hanes teulu on Wednesday 02 November 22 19:25 GMT (UK)
The "Star Green 'un" seems to be the best for match reports and naming the Lincoln team. Provided they were playing the "W" formation at the time and weren't pioneering 4,3,3 etc, I can see a Hall (no initial/given name) on the right wing from 30 April 1921 (his debut, having moved from Pinxton) to 15  April 1922. Some games in the reserves. Yet to check 1922/23 season or details of a transfer.

Added - he was in the team for the last game of the season 6 May 1922 against league champs Stockport County. Lincoln had been champs previous season.

Title: Re: Harry Hall football career
Post by: Alexander. on Saturday 05 November 22 17:48 GMT (UK)
Hi Spelk & hanes teule,

Thanks for these additional pieces.

I heard back from Darlington FC with a bit more information about Harry's time there (thanks for that suggestion Spelk). Confirms that he joined Darlington from Lincoln City in summer 1923 and played 14 games with them until December 2023.

Alexander
Title: Re: Harry Hall football career
Post by: hanes teulu on Saturday 05 November 22 18:39 GMT (UK)
Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail, 12 July 1923
NEW WINGER FOR DARLINGTON
Darlington have secured the services of Harry Hall, an outside right, who was associated with Lincoln City last season.
Title: Re: Harry Hall football career
Post by: Geoff-E on Tuesday 15 November 22 15:55 GMT (UK)
My WHO'S WHO of Lincoln City, 1892-1994 has

HALL, Harry
(1921-1922) the years he was on Lincoln's books
Outside right: 16 app.
1921: 5ft 8.5" 10st 10lb
Born c.1900
Career: Pinxton (Derbys Senior League)
            CITY April 1921 to close season 1922.
            Appreared for Darlington in season 1923/24

Appeared as an amateur in the final three matches of the 1920/21 Midland League season, signing professional shortly afterwards.  Described (1921) as "... a well known sprinter, clever dribbler and centres accurately".
Title: Re: Harry Hall football career
Post by: Alexander. on Wednesday 16 November 22 07:01 GMT (UK)
Hi Geoff, thanks very much for this information, very helpful.
Title: Re: Harry Hall football career
Post by: Alexander. on Saturday 19 November 22 18:04 GMT (UK)
We have no photos of Harry, and I was just searching the newspapers again for any more information. To my great surprise I found a photo of Lincoln City club in the Lincolnshire Chronicle in August 1921, which names all the players. It's not high resolution, but might be the only photo I will find of Harry.
Title: Re: Harry Hall football career
Post by: hanes teulu on Saturday 19 November 22 18:16 GMT (UK)
The photo - great find. It's possible to have these old photos "enhanced" on line on this site.
Title: Re: Harry Hall football career
Post by: MonicaL on Monday 21 November 22 21:00 GMT (UK)
Alexander, can I put up a possible Maggie for consideration.

There is this marriage:

Maggie K C Hall and Edward A McDonald
Marriage 1st Qrt 1933 Barrow upon Soar Leicestershire
Refs 7a/ 228

There are two male MacDonald birth entries in Leicester in 1934 and 1936 (I won't name in case still alive). Mother's maiden name EVERITT.

Can't see this Edward and Maggie in 1939 so far.

There is a death showing:

Maggie K C McDonald
Age 69, born c. 1898
Registration: 2nd Qrt 1967 Loughborough Leicestershire
Refs 3a/ 687

I am obviously connecting dots, could well be in error, but I thought this could be a possibilty for Maggie.

Monica
Title: Re: Harry Hall football career
Post by: MonicaL on Monday 21 November 22 21:27 GMT (UK)
Or then again, maybe not  ::)

I found the 1939 entry in Barrow upon Soar which gives Maggie a birth date of 26 July 1897.

There is a family tree on Ancestry for them www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/person/tree/176266333/person/412389241432/facts

So now, other than those two MacDonald/ Everitt births who could have any first name for mother, I think this possibility stops here  :-\ Added: A Ronald B McDonald and a Marie Everitt married in Leicester in 1932, likely parents to the two boys very likely.

Monica
Title: Re: Harry Hall football career
Post by: Alexander. on Tuesday 22 November 22 06:04 GMT (UK)
Hi Monica, thanks for looking into this. I too thought that Maggie might be possible but ruled her out for the reasons you say. The search continues!

Alexander
Title: Re: Harry Hall football career
Post by: softly softly on Tuesday 22 November 22 16:21 GMT (UK)
An offering from me re "Maggie,"

Born:

EVERITT, MARIE  KATHLEEN     mmn SMITH 
GRO Reference: 1906  M Quarter in LEICESTER  Volume 07A  Page 282

1st marriage to Henry Hall as "Maggie"

Marriages Dec 1922   
EVERITT    Maggie    Hall    Nottingham    7b   887

Son born

Henry dies.

2nd marriage for "Maggie"

Marriages Sep 1932 

Everitt    Marie K    Macdonald    Leicester    7a   516    
MacDonald    Ronald B    Everitt    Leicester    7a   516    

2 sons born 1934 R (Baird)   and 1936.

1939 register as MACDonald "Marie K" dob 2.12.1905

Death

Marie Kathleen Macdonald
2 Dec 1905   Feb 2001       Leicester   Leicestershire

John

Added ,sorry if some of this has been posted
Title: Re: Harry Hall football career
Post by: Alexander. on Wednesday 23 November 22 16:24 GMT (UK)
Hi John,
Unfortunately I don't think this is Maggie. I know that my Maggie was born in 1897 in Saltby, Leicestershire, daughter of Joseph Everitt and Emma (nee Burton). She is in Nottingham on the 1901-21 censuses.

Thanks,
Alexander
Title: Re: Harry Hall football career
Post by: paulmh on Wednesday 05 June 24 20:43 BST (UK)
Hi. I don't know if it was established who Harry Hall was and which clubs he played for. There was a Harry Hall who played for Sheffield United through the 1914-15 season - the year they won the FA Cup!

This Harry Hall was born in Q3 1893 in Newark. He signed for the Blades in April 1913 in a £65 deal from Long Eaton St Helens. Before this he played for Gainsborough Trinity, Newark, and Long Eaton Rangers. He made his United debut on 14th March 1914 in a 2-0 loss at Chelsea. He played a total of 7 times - this includes a WW1 appearance (his last in a United shirt) on 4th September 1915 - a 7-3 defeat at Lincoln City. He also may have appeared as a WW1 guest for Nottingham Forest.

His appearances at Bramall Lane were towards the end of the 1913-14 season. His final professional game for the Blades came on 1st April in a 1-0 loss in the FA Cup Semi-Final at Goodison Park.

After United he played for Long Eaton (1919), Worksop Town, Ilkeston United (Oct 1920), Sheffield Wednesday (signed for £300 in Dec 1920 to Feb 1922), Lincoln City, Gainsborough Trinity (again), Newark Town (Aug 1922), Long Eaton St Helens (again), Grantham Town (Feb 1924), and Ransome & Marles (Aug 1927).