Stoke City players

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

I've just got hold of this photo of 5 Stoke players, possibly pre-war, possibly just after.

From left to right:-

Stan Matthews (Stoke 1932-47)
Unknown
Freddie Steele (1933-49)
Tommy Sale (1930-36 and 1938-46)
Frank Baker (1936-49)

So my question to you guys and any Stoke historian out there, is who is the player 2nd from left?

The names are written on the back but this chap's name appears to be SMMY which I don't think is a real name! The writing isn't the best. Matthews, for example, looks like Hattmess.



Any help gratefully received. Thank you.

[Ruud Van Driver]

Hi Pete,

Stab in the dark but it could be Clement Smith? At least the first two letters are correct in the poor handwriting and the dates fit for all five players.

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

Superb photo that one Pete. Look at the state of that pitch - Photo was obviously taken before the game!

All the best,

Mal
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[Pete’s Picture Palace]

Brilliant Ruud, thank you. I'll go with that, he was 5'7" and an inside forward according to my book. He was also at Stoke from 1937-9 so fits perfectly and was born in 1912 so was 25-27 and looks about 40 in the photo!