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Goalkeepers Index Page Last Updated
21 May 2025
 
 

Jimmy Ashcroft

Woolwich Arsenal FC

3 appearances, 2 goals against
2 clean sheets

P 3 W 2 D 1 L 0 F 7: A 2
67% successful
1906

captain: none
minutes played:
270

Timeline

  James Ashcroft
Birth Thursday, 12 September 1878 in Liverpool, Lancashire
  registered in West Derby & Toxteth Park October-December 1878
Baptism Sunday, 6 October 1878 at St. Oswald's Church in Liverpool
 

According to the 1881 census, James lives at 3 Pringle Street in West Derby. The youngest of five children to Henry and Elizabeth (née Preston). His father is a greengrocer.

 

According to the 1891 census, James is an errand boy, and the only one of the children to still be living at 80 New Road, West Derby, with his parents. His father is a labourer.
(His father died in early 1895)

 

According to the 1901 census, James is a plumber. Living with two Woolwich Arsenal trainers in 38 Conway Road, Plumstead, London. He is residing with the Shoebridge's.

Marriage to Bertha Abram, in Liverpool, summer 1901
  registered in West Derby & Toxteth Park July-September 1901
Children Jimmy and Bertha Ashcroft have four children together. Bertha Agnes (b.1903), Henry James (b.21 May 1909), John Herbert (b.1914) and Hazel Irene (b.6 August 1917).
 

Ashcroft had his medal haul stolen from his house in Conway Road on 9 April 1906.
According to the 1911 census, James is now married to Bertha and they have two children, Bertha and Henry. He is a Professional Footballer, and is visiting his in-laws, the Abram's, at this time, who live at 26 Dunluce Street in Walton, Liverpool.

  "J.Ashcroft, Goalk'r, Blackburn Rov., Open for Engagement; free transfer.—Willaston-rd, Walton, Liverp'l." - Athletic News, Monday, 21 April 1913
According to the 1921 census, James, now a plumber, is still married and they have two more children, John and Hazel They live at 16 Willaston Road in Walton along with his father & sister-in-law.
  According to the 1939 register, James, a master plumber, remains married to Bertha, and they live at Lomondive, on Long Lane in the Fazakerly area of Liverpool.
Death Tuesday, 6 April 1943, in the Pavilion, Walton Hospital, Rice Lane, Liverpool, Lancashire, of 'Pulminary tuberculosis'. Living at Jesmond Dene, Long Lane in Fazakerly
aged 64 years 207 days registered in Liverpool North April-June 1943
"DEATHS  ASHCROFTApril 6, in hospital, after long suffering, patienetly borne, aged 64 years, JAMES, the beloved husband of Bertha Ashcroft and dearly-loved father of Bertha, Hazel, Harry (H.M.F.), and Jack (H.M.F., overseas)...."

Obituary

"DEATH OF JIM ASHCROFT.
"The death has taken place in a Liverpool hospital, of Jimmy Ashcroft, the former Arsenal and Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper. A professional for over twenty years, he represented England on several occasions, assisted Liverpool during the last war, and finished his football career with Tranmere Rovers. He was a native of Liverpool."
- The Liverpool Echo, Thursday, 8 April 1943.
Funeral Friday, 9 April 1943, cremated at Anfield Crematorium, Priory Road, Liverpool.
"...Cremation at Anfield Crematorium, on Friday next, at 11 a.m. (Flowers, in bunches, for the hospital, please)." - The Liverpool Echo, Wednesday, 7 April 1913
"CONDOLENCE  ASHCROFTMrs. ASHCROFT and Family desire to thank relatives, friends and neighbours, Mr. Marriott and staff of the Pavilion, Walton Hospital, also Mrs. Paynter, Admin. staff, Stores Office, Store Accounts, Provision Section, Stocktakers, Mrs. Blaylock and staff of R.O.F., for the kind expressions of sympathy and beautiful floral tributes received during their recent sad bereavement." - The Liverpool Echo, Monday, 12 April 1913
Source

Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990].

Playing Career


Club(s)
Played his youth football with Wilbyn's United FC, Anfield Recreation Club and Garston Copper Works, all in Liverpool. 
"The Gravesend United goal will be entrusted to the charge of Ashcroft, late of Garston Copperworks, whom Everton were anxious to keep after a trial." - Athletic News, Monday, 28 August 1899.
He remained with Gravesend United FC, of the Southern League Division One and Thames & Medway Combination, for the 1899-1900 season, from where he was spotted and then signed by Woolwich Arsenal FC in June 1900
"It is stated that Everton are asking £150 for the transfer of Ashcroft, the Gravesend custodian recently signed by Woolwich Arsenal. Yet Ashcroft played as an amateur pure and simple when at Everton some years ago." - Athletic Chat, Wednesday, 6 June 1900.
He was eventually sold for £25. There was an enquiry from Everton to resign Ashcroft in March 1902, but he remained in Plumstead. He did return north eventually when he joined Blackburn Rovers FC on 2 May 1908, however, ill-health in the 1911-12 season meant he had little participation in the Championship winning side. He was released at the end of following season with an agreement from Cardiff AFC for him to be their player-manager should they be elected to the Football League. He also received offer from Raith Rovers FC, as well as an approach from Millwall FC, whom he reported to the FA after they failed to act on an agreement to sign him, but Ashcroft joined Lancashire Combination side, Tranmere Rovers FC. He signed for the Prenton Road club on 6 June 1913, at the same time as he was invited to become the new player-manager at Gillingham FC. Retirement soon followed. Guested for Liverpool FC during November 1916.

League honours
387 appearances
Woolwich Arsenal FC 1900-08 273 appearances
debut (division two): 15 September 1900 Burton Swifts FC 1 Woolwich Arsenal FC 0.
Blackburn Rovers FC 1908-13 114 appearances
debut: 1 September 1908 Blackburn Rovers FC 1 Bristol City FC 1.
last: 1 March 1913 Bolton Wanderers FC 1 Blackburn Rovers FC 1.
Club honours Kent Senior Cup winners 1899-1900;
Football League Division Two
third place 1902-03 (34ᵃ), runners-up 1903-04 (34ᵃ); Division One third place 1909-10 (35ᵃ), Champions 1911-12 (8ᵃ);
FA Cup semi-finalist 1905-06 (6ᵃ), 1906-07 (6ᵃ), 1910-11 (6ᵃ), 1911-12 (3ᵃ);
Individual honours Football League (two appearances);
Distinctions None
Height/Weight 5' 10½", 12st. [1906].

Source

Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990].

England Career

Player number One of five who became the 312th players (312) to appear for England. 35th goalkeeper to appear.
Position(s) Goalkeeper
First match No. 86, 16 February 1906, Ireland 0 England 5, a British Championship match at Solitude Ground, Cliftonville, Belfast, aged 27 years 157 days.
Last match No. 88, 7 April 1906, Scotland 2 England 1, a British Championship match at Hampden Park, Mount Florida, Glasgow, aged 27 years 207 days.
Major tournaments British Championship 1905-06;
Team honours British Championship shared 1905-06;
Individual honours The South (two appearances 4ᵍᵃ, January 1906-January 1907)
Distinctions Woolwich/Arsenal FC's first English international.

Beyond England

Elected secretary of the Football Player's Union on 27 January 1908. - An English Football Internationalists' Who's Who. Douglas Lamming (1990). Hatton Press, p.13/14.


The Numbers
parties Apps Comp
Apps
minutes Goals
Against
GA Av.
min
Comp GA Clean
Sheets
Cln
Sht Av
captain
3 3 3 270 2 135 min 2 2 66.7% none
The minutes here given can only ever be a guideline and cannot therefore be accurate, only an approximation.
P W D L F GA GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
3 2 1 0 7 2 +5 0 2 2.333 0.667 66.7 +2
All of his matches were in the British Championship competition and at an away venue

Opposition Record

Opposition P W D L F GA GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
Scotland 1 0 0 1 1 2 -1 0 0 1.00 2.00 0.0 -1
Wales 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 0 1 1.00 0.00 100.0 +1
Ireland 1 1 0 0 5 0 +5 0 1 5.00 0.00 100.0 +1

Tournament Record

British Championship Competition
Type P W D L F GA GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
BC 1905-06 3 2 1 0 7 2 +5 0 2 2.333 0.667 66.7 +2
BC All 3 2 1 0 7 2 +5 0 2 2.333 0.667 66.7 +2

All Competition
Type P W D L F GA GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
BC 3 2 1 0 7 2 +5 0 2 2.333 0.667 66.7 +2
3 2 1 0 7 2 +5 0 2 2.333 0.667 66.7 +2

Match History

 Club: Woolwich Arsenal F.C. - three full appearances (270 min) 2ᵍᵃ F.A. International Select Committee - three full appearances (270 min) 2ᵍᵃx

apps match match details comp res. rundown pos

Age 27 trial  
one appearance - The North vs. The South ⁰ᵍᵃ, January 1906;

1 86 17 February 1906 - Ireland 0 England 5
Solitude Ground, Belfast
BC AW   gk

one of five who became the 312th player (312) to appear for England
the first player from Woolwich Arsenal FC to represent England
the 35th goalkeeper to play for England - 21st competitive

2 87 19 March 1906 - Wales 0 England 1
Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff
BC AW   gk
3 88 7 April 1906 - Scotland 2 England 1
Hampden Park, Glasgow
BC AL cs:220min gk
ᵍᵃerror & shot
 

Age 28 trial  
one appearance - The South ⁴ᵍᵃ vs. The North, January 1907;

  
 
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