Football Programmes Centre

SeasideMark · Joined: 24 Oct 2014 Posts: 612

Quite a few names in this RAF v Army friendly from 1945 were linked with professional clubs. Did any return to their footballing careers after demob? Please let me know if any ring a bell with anyone.
Thanks, Mark

bisphamseasider · Joined: 02 Jun 2009 Posts: 2731 Location: Blackpool

I presume the goalkeeper for the RAF is George James (Jimmy) Strong who made 264 appearances for Burnley from 1946 to 1952.

bisphamseasider · Joined: 02 Jun 2009 Posts: 2731 Location: Blackpool

In the RAF team

Thorpe could be Sam Thorpe who signed for Sheffield United in April 1945 but only made 2 appearances for them in 47/8 season.

Can't be certain of anymore but there was a Jeff Gulliver (full back) who played for Reading 1946 to 1950 and Swindon in 1951, and there is just one Glidden (Gilbert Swinburne) an inside forward, who also played for Reading, from 1936 to 1949.

SeasideMark · Joined: 24 Oct 2014 Posts: 612

Great stuff Bispham - very helpful. Thanks Thumbs Up

bisphamseasider · Joined: 02 Jun 2009 Posts: 2731 Location: Blackpool

Just one from the Army team for now.

Steele at centre forward is most probably Freddie Steele who had a great scoring record at Stoke from 1934 to 1948.

He made 224 appearances and scored 140 goals. He also gained 6 England caps.

He went on to play for Mansfield and Stoke and kept scoring goals (Mansfield 39 from 53 games and Port Vale 12 from 25 games).