|
|
|
Arthur
Bridgett |
Sunderland AFC
11 appearances, 3 goals
P 11 W 10 D 1 L 0 F
56:
A 8
95% successful
1905-09
captain: none
minutes played: 990 |
|
 |
|
Timeline |
| |
George Arthur
Bridgett |
|
Birth |
Wednesday, 11 October 1882 in
Forsbrook, Staffordshire. |
|
|
registered as George Arthur in Cheadle October-December 1882 |
|
Education |
Attended St. Peter's School, Stoke |
|
|
According to the 1891 census, George Arthur is
the third of
five children to Edwin and Hannah (née Bailey) Bridgett, living at 8 Commercial
Buildings in Kirkham Street in Penkhull, Stoke-upon-Trent. His father is a
stone mason. |
|
|
His father died on 17 March 1899.
According to the 1901 census, George A. the oldest of
the five children living with his widowed mother. He is an
upholsterer living at 82 London Road in Stoke-upon-Trent. His mother is a
furniture dealer. |
|
"FOOTBALLER AND PREACHER |
An
address given at Letton, near Sunderland, by Arthur
Bridgett, the international forward, on 'The Creed I Believe In,'
was attended by 1,400 miners. He intends giving further addresses on
religious subjects." -
Torquay Times, Friday, 8 April 1908. |
|
|
"Mr. Arthur Bridgett, the well-known international
football player, of the Sunderland Club, gave an address on 'Reason and
Religion' at one of the largest Wearside Nonconformist churches on Sunday." -
The Times/Daily Mirror, Wednesday, 30 December 1908. |
|
|
MAXWELLTOWN MEN'S OWN.
———————
MR ARTHUR BRIDGETT,
SUNDERLAND,
INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALLER,
WILL Address a MASS MEETING OF MEN ONLY in the MAXWELLTOWN UNITED
FREE CHURCH, on SUNDAY, 26th SEPTEMBER, at 2.45 p.m.
SOLOS by Mr JAS. F. HANNAY and Mr DAVID M'NAUGHT. |
Every Man will be made welcome. |
-
Dumfries and Galloway Standard, Wednesday, 22 September 1909.
|
|
"VISIT OF MR. ARTHUR |
BRIDGETT
"Mr. Arthur Bridgett will visit Alnwick on Dec. 19th and deliver
his popular lecture on 'Football and Christianity' at Bondgate Church, at
3.30." -
Alnwick Guardian and County Advertiser, Saturday, 13 November 1909. |
|
"BRIDGETT AT DARLINGTON |
Mr. Arthur Bridgett,
the Sunderland International footballer, addressed a large gathering of
members of the 'D.M.O.' in the Union Street Congregational Church,
Darlington, yesterday afternoon." -
Sunderland Daily Echo, Monday, 24 January 1910. |
|
"A FOOTBALLER'S SERMON |
Arthur Bridgett,
the Sunderland and International footballer, addressing a men's meeting at
Birmingham yesterday afternoon, maintained that football was a game which
was calculated to help forward the manhood of the nation, though he was
conscious of the danger of its being made the be-all and end-all of life.
What was wanted was that boys and men should not only play to win, but
that they should play the game in the spirit of Christianity, than which
there could be no higher sportsmanship." -
The Halifax Daily Guardian, Monday, 14 February 1910. |
|
"FOOTBALLER AND PREACHER |
Arthur
Bridgett, the famous Sunderland international outside-left, will
give an address to the members of the Wesleyan Brotherhood in the Corn
Exchange on Sunday, May 8th." -
The Berwick Advertiser, Friday, 15 April 1910. |
|
"FOOTBALLERS' SUNDAY |
The
fourth annual footballers' service will be held at the Victoria Hall on
Sunday next. Mr. J. C. Clegg, Mr. Arthur
Bridgett, of the Sunderland team, and others will take part. The
service, to which all footballers are cordially invited, will begin at
three o'clock." -
The Sheffield Daily Independent, Thursday, 3 November 1910. |
|
|
According to the 1911 census, his brother Edwin and sister Mary are
living in the Whitburn area of South Shields. Arthur Bridgett, a
professional footballer, is residing in the Engsleigh Palace Hotel, Gordon
Street in London. |
|
"BROTHERHOOD. |
—Mr. Arthur
Bridgett, of Sunderland, paid a visit to the West Pelton and
District Brotherhood on Sunday. The meeting was held in the Grand Picture
Hall, Newfield, and their was a large company of men present to hear him.
Mr. Bridgett gave a very interesting address." -
The Durham Chronicle, Friday, 2 June 1911. |
|
|
THOMPSON
MEMORIAL HALL.
GEORGE CLARKE'S MISSION.
The MEMBERS of the MEN'S BIBLE CLASS
will MEET at the HALL at 2 p.m. on
SUNDAY FIRST and MARCH to
DOCK STREET CHAPEL for UNITED
BROTHERHOOD MEETING.
MR GEORGE CLARKE Will Speak on "THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE."
MR ARTHUR BRIDGETT
WILL PRESIDE. |
- Sunderland Daily Echo, Friday, 8 December 1911.
|
|
"A FOOTBALL SUNDAY |
Arthur
Bridgett, the Sunderland left-winger, presided at the Central Hall
Brotherhood, Westgate Road, Newcastle, yesterday, the day being marked as
Football Sunday. Mr. J. D. Taylorson, of Sunderland, also gave a brief
address." - Sunderland Daily Echo, Monday, 15 January 1912. |
|
Marriage |
to Gertrude May
Forrester, in early 1918 in Staffordshire |
|
|
registered in Stoke-on-Trent January-March 1918 |
|
Children |
Arthur and
Daisy Bridgett have nine children together. Kenneth George
(b.26 October 1918), Arthur Woodrow (b.10 May 1920),
Joan (b.18 August 1921), Samuel Frances Charles
(b.1923), Edwin Reginald (b.16 July 1924),
Geoffrey Charles (b.1926), Jean C. (b.13 August
1927), Colin J. (b.1932) and Peter J.H.
(b.1941). |
|
|
His mother died on 11 October 1918, fifteen days
before the birth of his first child.
Neither can be found on the 1921 census.
He does, however, appear in the 1921 Kelly's Directory of
Staffordshire, as a fishmonger living at 16 High Street in Stoke-on-Trent.
By 1932, he is living at 26 High Street. |
|
"MOTOR CASES AT FENTON |
There
were further motor prosecutions at Fenton Police Court this (Tuesday)
morning, when George Arthur Bridgett, 16, High-street, Stoke, was fined
20s., and Wilfred Tomkinson, Ivy House, Madeley Heath, 25s., for failing
to have two independent brakes in good working order on their motor-cars.
Bridgett said he had full control over his car with foot-brake and
reverse, but it was pointed out that he must conform to the law." -
The Staffordshire Sentinel, Tuesday, 14 October 1924. |
"BANKRUPTCY OF FORMER
,%20Arthur.png) |
FOOTBALLER—Failure of Fish Business
"The
affairs of a former Stoke, Sunderland and South Shields footballer were
investigated at Hanley Bankruptcy Court to-day, when George Arthur Bridgett,
fishmonger, now living at 81, Fletcher-road, Stoke, appeared for public
examination. His liabilities were shown in his statement of affairs to be
£762 15s. 1d., due to eighteen unsecured creditors. His assets were
stated to be £11 5s. In reply to the Official Receiver (Mr. P. M.
Milward) debtor said that he was 52 years of age. He was married and had
eight children, the eldest being 16. In 1911 he acquired a fishmonger's
business at 26, High-street, Stoke, and he had had it ever since, until he
closed it in September this year. As a youth, he was employed as a
fishmonger's assistant by his mother. It was during his career as a
professional footballer, he said, that he bought the business in Stoke,
from his brother, as a going concern. He paid £150 for it. He was at
Sunderland when he bought it, and for three years his brother managed his
business for him. He took control when he gave up football, in 1915. He
married in 1918. He had been helped in the business by his wife, In 1915
he had a capital of £1,000, representing savings from his football earnings,
and all this had been used in the business...Debtor said he attributed his
failure to heavy overhead expenses and increased competition. The
examination was closed" - The Staffordshire Sentinel, Thursday,
15 November 1934. |
|
|
According to the 1939 register, Arthur and Gertrude M.
remain married and are living at Top Rock in Ashley, Newcastle-under-Lyme.
He is a fish salesman and a car/lorry contract driver. |
|
Death |
Monday, 26 July 1954 at
The Bungalow, Ashley, Market Drayton, Staffordshire |
|
age 71 years 289 days |
registered in Newcastle-under-Lyme July-September 1954 |
|
Obituary |
"Death
Of Arthur Bridgett
"A former Sunderland winger and English
international, Mr. Arthur Bridgett, who was well-known in football circles
prior to World War 1, died at his home in Ashton, near Market Drayton,
yesterday. He was 72. Mr. Bridgett first played for Stoke City. He later
joined Sunderland and during the 10 seasons he was with the Wearside club
he won international honours. He played against Scotland, Ireland, and
Wales between 1905 and 1909 and also appeared for his country against
Austria, Hungary, and Belgium in 1908-09."
- The Sunderland Echo, Tuesday, 27 July 1954 |
Funeral
Wednesday, 28 July 1954
Carmountside Crematorium, Newcastle-under-Lyme |
|
"LATE MR. A. BRIDGETT
"The funeral took place at Carmountside
Crematorium of Mr. Arthur Bridgett, aged 72, of The Bungalows, Ashley,
near Market Drayton, the former international footballer. Many considered
him the finest outside-left of his day. He played for Stoke City,
Sunderland, South Shields and Port Vale. Family mourners were: Mrs. D. M.
Bridgett (widow); Mr. Kenneth Bridgett, Mr. Arthur Bridgett, Mr. Samuel
Bridgett, Mr. Wedwin Bridgett, Mr. Geoffrey Bridgett, Mr. Colin Bridgett,
Mr. Peter Bridgett (sons); Mrs. J. Fallon, Miss J. Bridgett (daughters);
Mr. F. Forrester, Mr. R. Forrester, Mrs. A. Forrester, Mrs. J. Bridgett
and Mrs. E. Bridgett." - The Staffordshire Sentinel,
Friday, 30 July 1954. |
|
|
Daisy Bridgett died on 26 December 1978. |
|
Source |
 Douglas Lammings' An
English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990] & |
|
Playing Career |
Club(s) |
Played his
junior football with the Stoke school sides, namely St Peter's, before
joining Burslem Park Boys' FC as a left half-back and Trentham FC. Joined Stoke FC as an amateur in October 1902. Within months,
he had signed professional forms with Sunderland AFC, where he remained
for over ten years, becoming the club captain
from the 1907-08 season. Left the Wearside club to take up management with
first South Shields AFC as player-manager on 10 July 1912 for £175.
He acted as emergency goalkeeper on 1 March 1913 in an away match with
Seaham Harbour FC (Shields won 4-1). He
moved onto North Shields FC. Guested for Port Vale FC during the war
years, whom he signed for again on 9 November 1923, featuring for the club
in the Football League as a 41 year-old. Left the Valiants in
February 1924 and joined the Sandbach Ramblers. A year later, he was
playing for Ashton National FC, a Cheshire club. |
League honours
341 appearances, 115 goals |
Stoke FC 1902 seven appearances
debut: 27 September
1902 Stoke FC 0 Sheffield United FC 1.
Sunderland AFC 1903-12 320 appearances, 108 goals
debut:
17 January 1903 Sunderland AFC 0 Sheffield United FC 0.
Port Vale FC 1923-24 fourteen appearances, seven goals
debut (division two): 10 November 1923 Port Vale FC 1 Clapton Orient FC 0.
last
(division two): 9 February 1924 Port Vale FC 0 Bristol City FC 2. |
|
Club honours |
Staffordshire Junior Cup runners-up 1901-02;
Football League Division One third place 1902-03 (14ᵃ 2ᵍ),
1908-09 (34ᵃ 11ᵍ), 1910-11 (37ᵃ 7ᵍ); |
|
Individual honours |
Football League
(two appearances). |
|
Distinctions |
Bridgett made a
religious commitment as to never play on the most religious of days, that
is Good Friday or Christmas Day. |
|
Height/Weight |
5'
8¾",
12st 0lbs, [1903],
5'
8½",
11st 8lbs, [1905] |
|
Source |
Douglas Lammings' An
English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990] & South Shields FC
local history. |
|
England Career |
|
Player number |
311th player to
appear for England. |
|
Position(s) |
Outside-left |
|
First match |
No. 85, 1 April 1905, England 1 Scotland 0, a
British Championship match at The Sports Arena, Crystal Palace, Sydenham, London, aged
22 years 172 days. |
|
Last match |
No. 104, 1 June 1909, Austria 1 England 8, an
East-European tour match at
Hohe Warte Stadion, Döbling, Wien,
aged 26 years 233 days. |
|
Major tournaments |
British Championship 1904-05, 1907-08, 1908-09; |
|
Team honours |
British
Championship winners 1904-05, 1908-09,
shared 1907-08, |
|
Individual honours |
The North (reserve in February 1905; two
appearances, January 1907-January 1909);
The Professionals
(reserve in December 1906); |
|
Distinctions |
Whilst at Sunderland, he was the most-appearanced
Englishman until Dave Watson broke the record in 1975. |
|
Beyond England |
|
nothing available, but by all accounts, he was a fishmonger, owning a shop
on Stoke High Street between 1911 and 1934.. -
An English Football Internationalists' Who's Who. Douglas Lamming
(1990). Hatton Press, p.45./FindMyPast.co.uk |
|
The Numbers |
| parties |
Apps |
comp. apps |
minutes |
|
goals ave.min |
comp. goals |
captain |
|
13 |
11 |
4 |
990 |
3 |
330
min |
0 |
none |
|
The minutes here given
can only ever be a guideline and cannot therefore be accurate, only an
approximation. |
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
FTS
|
CS |
FAv |
AAv |
Pts% |
W/L |
|
11 |
10 |
1 |
0 |
56 |
8 |
+48 |
0 |
5 |
5.091 |
0.727 |
95.4 |
+10 |
Venue
Record
|
Venue |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
FTS
|
CS |
FAv |
AAv |
Pts% |
W/L |
|
Home |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
+7 |
0 |
3 |
2.33 |
0.00 |
100.0 |
+3 |
|
Away |
8 |
7 |
1 |
0 |
49 |
8 |
+41 |
0 |
2 |
6.125 |
1.00 |
93.8 |
+7 |
Competition Record
|
Competition |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
FTS
|
CS |
FAv |
AAv |
Pts% |
W/L |
|
British Championship |
4 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
8 |
1 |
+7 |
0 |
3 |
2.00 |
0.25 |
87.5 |
+3 |
|
Friendly |
7 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
48 |
7 |
+41 |
0 |
2 |
6.857 |
1.00 |
100.0 |
+7 |
Tournament Record
|
British Championship Competition |
|
Type |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
FTS |
CS |
FAv |
AAv |
Pts% |
W/L |
|
BC 1904-05 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
+1 |
0 |
1 |
1.00 |
0.00 |
100.0 |
+1 |
|
BC 1907-08 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
=0 |
0 |
0 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
50.0 |
=0 |
|
BC 1908-09 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
+6 |
0 |
2 |
3.00 |
0.00 |
100.0 |
+2 |
|
BC All |
4 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
8 |
1 |
+7 |
0 |
3 |
2.00 |
0.25 |
87.5 |
+3 |
|
All Competition |
|
Type |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
FTS |
CS |
FAv |
AAv |
Pts% |
W/L |
|
BC |
4 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
8 |
1 |
+7 |
0 |
3 |
2.00 |
0.25 |
87.5 |
+3 |
|
4 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
8 |
1 |
+7 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
0.25 |
87.5 |
+3 |
Match History
|
apps |
match |
match details |
comp |
res. |
rundown |
pos |
|
|
England
Football Online