John Friar

John Friar
Personal information
Full name John Friar[1]
Date of birth (1911-07-18)18 July 1911[1]
Place of birth Cambusnethan, Scotland[1]
Date of death 22 May 1979(1979-05-22) (aged 67)[1]
Place of death Bathgate, Scotland[1]
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[2]
Position(s) Right winger
Youth career
Carluke Rovers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1929–1931 Bradford City 0 (0)
1931–1932 Hibernian 25 (11)
1932–1933 Portsmouth 1 (1)
1933–1934 Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic 34 (11)
1934 Port Vale 18 (10)
1934–1936 Preston North End 26 (8)
1936–1939 Norwich City 82 (18)
1939 Ipswich Town 0 (0)
Total 186 (59)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

John Friar (18 July 1911 – 22 May 1979) was a Scottish footballer who played on the right-wing. He represented Carluke Rovers, Bradford City, Hibernian, Portsmouth, Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic, Port Vale, Preston North End, Norwich City, and Ipswich Town.

Career

Friar played for Carluke Rovers and Bradford City, before joining Hibernian. He made his debut on 8 August 1931, in a 1–0 win over Alloa Athletic at Easter Road, and scored his first goal for "Hibs" ten days later in a 3–1 win over Arbroath.[3] He scored a total of 11 goals in 25 Second Division appearances in the 1931–32 season.[3] He moved back to England in April 1932 when he signed with Portsmouth. In 1933, he and Jack Surtees were traded to Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic, with Len Williams moving in the opposite direction. He joined Port Vale in July 1934 and scored on his debut on 25 August, a 2–0 win over Sheffield United at The Old Recreation Ground.[1] He went on to score braces in home wins over Southampton, Manchester United and Bury, and boasted a total of ten goals in the opening 18 Second Division games of the season.[1] This record led him to be snapped up by First Division side Preston North End in December 1934, in exchange for Ted Critchley and a cash balance.[1] He later played for Norwich City and Ipswich Town.[1]

Career statistics

Source:[4]

Club Season Division League National Cup Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Bradford City 1929–30 Second Division 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Hibernian[5] 1931–32 Scottish Division One 25 11 0 0 0 0 25 11
Portsmouth 1932–33 First Division 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1
Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic 1933–34 Third Division South 34 11 2 0 2 2 38 13
Port Vale 1934–35 Second Division 18 10 0 0 0 0 18 10
Preston North End 1934–35 First Division 23 8 6 1 0 0 29 9
1935–36 First Division 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
Total 26 8 6 1 0 0 32 9
Norwich City 1935–36 Second Division 12 2 2 0 0 0 14 2
1936–37 Second Division 13 3 0 0 0 0 13 3
1937–38 Second Division 34 10 1 0 0 0 35 10
1938–39 Second Division 23 3 1 0 0 0 24 3
Total 82 18 4 0 0 0 86 18
Ipswich Town 1939–40 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career total 186 59 12 1 2 2 205 62

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. p. 107. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
  2. ^ "Norwich City. First Division no longer worlds away". Sunday Dispatch Football Guide. London. 23 August 1936. p. x – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b "Friar, John". fitbastats.com. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
  4. ^ John Friar at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
  5. ^ "Hibernian Player John Friar Details". www.fitbastats.com. Retrieved 13 February 2017.