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17 January 2025
 
 

Alf Common

Sheffield United FC, Middlesbrough FC

 3 appearances, 2 goals

P 3 W 2 D 1 L 0 F 6: A 3
83% successful
1904-07

captain: none
minutes played: 270

Timeline
  Alfred Common
Birth Tuesday, 25 May 1880 at 27 North Milburn Street, Bishop Wearmouth, Sunderland, County Durham.
  registered in Sunderland April-June 1880
Baptism Wednesday, 16 June 1880 in Deptford, County Durham.
 

According to the 1881 census, Alfred is the youngest of five children to Robert Ridley and Sarah Ann (née Towers), living at 27 North Milburn Street in Bishop Wearmouth. His father is a ship riveter.
 

According to the 1891 census, Alfred now has three younger siblings, and with their parents, they all still live at 27 North Milburn Street. His father still an iron ship riveter.
 

According to the 1901 census, Alfred is now an apprentice riveter at the shipyard, still living with his parents, still at 27 North Milburn Street. Alfred is one of the seven children at home.
Marriage to Ann Cook, on Wednesday afternoon, 23 July 1902 at St. Mark's Church, Millfield, Sunderland, County Durham
  registered in Sunderland July-September 1902
"MARRIAGES ...COMMON—COOK—.At St. Mark's Church, on the 23rd inst., by the Rev. A. R. Stogdon, vicar, Alfred Commonm, third son of Robert Ridley Common, to Annie Cook, only daughter of John Usher Cook, both of Sunderland." - Sunderland Daily Echo, Thursday, 24 July 1902, page two
"MARRIAGE OF MR ALF. COMMON.—Mr Alfred Common, the well-known football player, formerly of Sunderland A.F.C., but now a member of the Sheffield United team, which won the English Cup last season, was married by the Rev. A. R. Stogdon at St. Mark's Church, Millfield, yesterday afternoon, to the only daughter of Mr John Usher Cook, of Crowtree Road. The ceremony was witnessed by a large number of people, and the newly-married pair have been the recipients of many presents." - Sunderland Daily Echo, Thursday, 24 July 1902, page four
Children Alf and Annie Common had at two children together, Gladys Cook (b.11 November 1904) and Alfred John Cook (b.21 December 1914).

According to the 1911 census, Alfred, now married and a professional footballer, employed by Woolwich Arsenal FC, is visiting his hometown, but staying with the Reed family at 246 High Street West in Sunderland.
His mother died just before the birth of their son in late 1914.
 

According to the 1921 census, Alfred is a licensed victualler, still married and with one son, also called Alfred. They live at The Cleaver Hotel in Skinnergate, Darlington, with two servants.
His father died in Sunderland in early 1929
  "The former well-known Middlesbrough footballer and athlete, Alfred Common, who is landlord of the Cleaves Hotel, Darlington, was fined £5 at the local court on Thursday with supplying rum on his licensed premised during prohibited hours, and two farmers, Robert Robson, of Gawford and Robert Lee, of Heighington, were fined 10s. each for consuming he spirit." - Leeds Mercury, Saturday, 31 March 1923
"Transfer of a Licence ...The Darlington Magistrates yesterday granted the transfer of the licence of the Alma Hotel, Cockerton, to Mr. Alf Common. Alderman T. Crooks, the presiding Magistrate, observed there was a conviction recorded against Mr. Common in a house he had previously held, and there had been quite a keen contest among the Magistrates as to whether he should be given this licence. It had been decided by a majority of the Bench to grant it. He was requested, however, to warn Mr. Common to be very careful in the management of his business in the future." - Sunderland Daily Echo, Friday, 22 May 1925
  According to the 1939 register, Alfred, a retired boilermaker, and Ann, remain married and are living at 326 Coniscliffe Road in Darlington, with Gladys C. and Alfred J.C.
His wife, Ann, died on 6 May 1945
Death Wednesday, 3 April 1946, at his home at 326 Coniscliffe Road, Darlington, County Durham.
"Alfred Common, for whom the first four-figure transfer fee in football's history was paid, died at Darlington, last night." - Hartlepool Mail, Thursday, 4 April 1946
aged 65 years 313 days registered in Darlington April-June 1946

Obituary
"ALF COMMON DEAD—FIRST £1000 SOCCER TRANSFER PLAYER.
"Death of Alf Common, one of Sunderland's famous forwards in the early part of this century, at his home in Darlington is reported. Common, native of Millfield, was the first player in the history of football to reach the £1,000 mark for transfer fee. Previous to this Common had left Sunderland for Sheffield United on the understanding that if he re-transferred Sunderland would have the option of taking him back, and they did so at a fee of £325. While at Sheffield, Common won an English Cup winners' medal, and he was also capped twice against Wales and once against Ireland. The thousand pound fee was for transfer to Middlesbrough, with whom he stayed five seasons, leaving in 1909-10 for Woolwich Arsenal. Later he appeared with Preston North End. Some years ago Common returned to Sunderland to live and was a member of Roker Park Bowling Club. His wife's ill-health caused him to go back to Croft area." - Sunderland Echo & Gazette, Thursday, 4 April 1946.
Funeral April 1946 at West Cemetery (left) in Darlington, alongside his wife and son, Alfred John Cook.
Probate "COMMON Alfred of 326 Conniscliffe-road Darlington died 3 April 1946 Administration Durham 13 September to Alfred John Cook Common inland revenue valuer. Effects £1679 6s. 8d." [2024 equivalent: £59.661]
Source

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

Playing Career

Club(s)

 Playing initially for St. Cuthbert Swifts FC and then South Hylton FC Juniors, he was soon playing for Jarrow FC.  After a brief stay, he joined Sunderland AFC in 1900. Then, on 24 October 1901...
 "A member of the Sheffield United committee and the worthy secretary paid a visit to Sunderland last Thursday in the hope of persuading the leaders of the League to part with A. Common, one of their forwards, who has not been playing much of late. Common was not on the transfer list or anything of that sort, and at first their overtures were met with a flat refusal. However, by dint of great persuasion, and the payment of a heavy transfer fee the deputation from Bramall Lane succeeded in their object, and Common is a player who ought to prove a valuable addition to the attack." - Athletic News, Monday, 28 October 1901.
Afterwards, despite interest from Aston Villa FC and a £550 offer from Blackburn Rovers FC, on 1 June 1904, following weeks of negotiations, Common returned to Wearside for a record transfer fee.
 "We are officially informed that the transfer of [Albert] Lewis and Common, of Sheffield United, to Sunderland, cost the latter club £500. Sheffield United had originally asked £700 for Common alone." - Sunderland Daily Echo, Saturday, 4 June 1904.
 He was determined to play for Sunderland again, so he could manage his father-in-law's business. Then...
 "Alfred Common was this morning transferred to Middlesbrough. It has been known that Middlesbrough were desirous of having Common for some weeks, but negotiations were not brought to a head until this morning. It is understood that Middlesbrough have paid a stiff price for their new inside-right. [As part of the contract, Sunderland play a friendly match at Middlesbrough on Saturday, paying their own expenses, and the Middlesbrough club taking the whole of the gate.]" - Nottingham Evening Post [Daily Mirror], Tuesday, 14 February 1905.
 "It was reported, and inquiries went to confirm the belief, that the sum paid by Middlesbrough for Common's transfer was £1,000." - Daily Express, Wednesday, 15 February 1905.
[2024 equivalent: £103,162].
"It was decided that 'after the 1st January, 1908, no club shall be entitled to pay or receive any transfer fee or other payment exceeding 350 upon or in respect of the transfer of any player'" - The Morning Post, Tuesday, 30 May 1905. [The transfer limit was withdrawn three months later].
Common was awarded the 'Boro captaincy, but...
 "Alfred Common, captain of Middlesbrough Football Club, and an International, has been fined £10 and deprived of the captaincy by the directors for misconduct when at Blackpool on Sunday, and at Manchester after the match on Monday evening." - The Leeds and Yorkshire Mercury, Saturday, 14 September 1907.
He moved on to Woolwich Arsenal FC on 2 July 1910 for £250.
"Followers of the Woolwich Arsenal football club will be interested to learn that Alfred Common, who has returned from a five weeks' stay in the United States, has been offered the position of sporting coach to Pennsylvania University. The terms have not yet been arranged, but Common states that he will go back to the States as soon as possible with a view of closing the offer." - The Morning Leader, Saturday, 19 August 1911
Common was then sold for £250 to Preston North End FC on the afternoon of Thursday, 19 December 1912, after first refusing to to make the move, after a 'near relative' objected. He retired in 1914 at the age of 33.

League honours
385 appearances 124 goals		 Sunderland AFC 1900-01 eighteen appearances, six goals.
debut: 15 September 1900 Wolverhampton Wanderers FC 2 Sunderland AFC 2.
Sheffield United FC 1901-04 67 appearances, 22 goals
debut: 2 November 1901 The Wednesday FC 1 Sheffield United FC 0.
Sunderland AFC 1904-05 twenty appearances, six goals
debut: 3 September 1904 Preston North End FC 3 Sunderland AFC 1.
Middlesbrough FC 1905-10 168 appearances, 58 goals
debut: 25 February 1905 Sheffield United FC 0 Middlesbrough FC 1.
Woolwich Arsenal FC 1910-12 77 appearances, 23 goals
debut: 1 September 1910 Woolwich Arsenal FC 1 Manchester United FC 2.
Preston North End FC 1912-13 35 appearances, nine goals
debut (division two): 21 December 1912 Blackpool FC 0 Preston North End FC 1.
last: 20 December 1913 Manchester City FC 1 Preston North End FC 1.
Club honours Football League Division One runners-up 1900-01 (14ᵃ 4ᵍ), Champions 1901-02 (4ᵃ 2ᵍ); Division Two winners 1912-13 (21ᵃ 7ᵍ);
FA Cup winners 1901-02 (9ᵃ 3ᵍ);
Individual honours Football League (one appearance).
Distinctions First to achieve a £500 transfer fee and first to achieve a £1000 transfer fee.
Played cricket and bowls for local amateur clubs.
Height/Weight 5' 8" [1902], 5' 8½", 13st. 0lbs [1903], 5' 9" [1904].
Source

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

England Career
Player number One of seven who became the 290th players (294) to appear for England.
Position(s) Inside right/left, centre-forward.
First match No. 80, 29 February 1904, Wales 2 England 2, a British Championship match at The Racecourse, Mold Road, Wrexham, aged 23 years 280 days.
Last match No. 87, 19 March 1906, Wales 0 England 1, a British Championship match at The Cardiff Arms Park, Temperance Street, Cardiff, aged 25 years 298 days.
Major tournaments British Championship 1903-04, 1905-06;
Team honours British Championship winner 1903-04, shared 1905-06;
Individual honours The North (two appearances, January 1904-January 1906);
Distinctions England's Joint-Top Goalscorer (two 1904)

Beyond England
A boilermaker by trade, he had a Trade Union Membership (no. 63905) from 18 June 1902 until his resignation on 1 February 1930. In 1936, Alf applied who became the chief F.A. Coach of Secondary Schools in Durham, but the job went to Dave Edgar. Other unsuccessful applicants included Dickie Downs and Jack Young. So most of the rest of Common's life was spent in the victualler trade, first as licensee of the Cleaver Hotel, in Darlington's Skinnergate, for 11 years, followed by a further 18 at the Alma Hotel (more recently known as the Beer Engine and the Brown Trout) in Cockerton, from which he retired in 1943. - An English Football Internationalists' Who's Who. Douglas Lamming (1990). Hatton Press, p.71./Darlington Northern Echo article 18 August 2007


The Numbers
parties Appearances comp. apps minutes goals ave.min comp. goals captain
6 3 3 270 2 135 min 2 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
3 2 1 0 6 3 +3 0 1 2 1 83.3 +2
All of his matches were played in the British Championship competition and at an away venue

Tournament Record

British Championship Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
BC 1903-04 2 1 1 0 5 3 +2 0 0 2.50 1.50 75.0 +1
BC 1905-06 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 0 1 1.00 0.00 100.0 +1
BC All 3 2 1 0 6 3 +3 0 1 2.00 1.00 83.3 +2

All Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
BC 3 2 1 0 6 3 +3 0 1 2.00 1.00 83.3 +2
3 2 1 0 6 3 +3 0 1 2 1 83.3 +2

Match History

 Club: Sheffield United F.C. - two full appearances (180 min) 2ᵍ F.A. International Select Committee - three full appearances (270 min) 2ᵍx

apps match match details comp res. rundown pos

Age 23 trial  
one appearance - The South vs. The North, January 1904;

1 80 29 February 1904 - Wales 2 England 2
The Racecourse, Wrexham		 BC AD   ir

one of seven who became the 290th player (294) to appear for England
one of two who became the thirteenth Sheffield United FC player to represent England

2 81 12 March 1904 - Ireland 1 England 3
Cliftonville Gardens, Belfast		 BC AW 16
65		 ir
82 9 April 1904 - Scotland 0 England 1, Celtic Park, Glasgow BC AW reserve
 

 Club: Middlesbrough F.C. - one full appearance (90 min)  

Age 25 trial  
one appearance - The North vs. The South, January 1906;

86 17 February 1906 - Ireland 0 England 5, Solitude Ground, Belfast BC AW reserve
3 87 19 March 1906 - Wales 0 England 1
Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff		 BC AW   cf
 

the second Middlesbrough FC player to represent England

Age 26
91 1 April 1907 - England 1 Scotland 1, St. James' Park, Newcastle upon Tyne BC HD reserve
 


  

 
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