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Players Index Page Last Updated
12 August 2025
 
 

Bert Freeman

Everton FC, Burnley FC

 5 appearances, 3 goals
 one goal on his debut

P 5 W 4 D 1 L 0 F 13: A 2
90% successful
1909-13

captain: none
minutes played: 450

Timeline
  Bertram Clewley Freeman
Birth Tuesday, 13 October 1885 on Grosvenor Road in Handsworth, Staffordshire
  registered in West Bromwich October-December 1885
 Grosvenor Road had its junction on Wellington Road, next to the Perry Barr football ground.
Education Attended Gower Street School, Aston.
 

According to the 1891 census, Bertram is the ninth of ten children to Thomas Holte and Sarah Jane (née Clewley), and they live at 274 Wheeler Street in Aston. His father is a jeweller, his mother a fancy draper. They have one servant.
 

According to the 1901 census, tool maker Bertram is just the fifth eldest of six children still living with their parents at 274 Wheeler Street. With one servant, his parents are drapers.
 

His mother died some time during 1911.
According to the 1911 census, Bertram Clewley is a footballer boarding with Sarah Annie Hallam, a widow, and her two sons, living at 53 Oxton Street in Walton, Liverpool. His fellow boarder is PC George Callow, of Liverpool police.
The Midlands Electoral Registers confirm the Freeman's lived at 32 Crompton Road in Handsworth, since at least 1920, until at least 1936, but also had a property at 42 Spencer Road in West Birmingham.
Marriage to Margaret Elizabeth Whitehead, on Wednesday, 4 June 1919 at Angle Street Baptist Chapel in Burnley, Lancashire. "daughter of the late E. Alderman Whitehead."
  registered in Burnley April-June 1919
Children Bert and Margaret Freeman have two children together. Bertram Edwin (b.23 July 1922) and Margaret
  According to the 1921 census, Bertram C, an electro-plate manufacturer, is now married to Margaret and living at 32 Crompton Road in Handsworth.
Kelly's Directory of Birmingham confirm Freeman at 32 Crompton Road until at least 1936.
His father died in 1936.
"The Whereabouts of Bert Freeman  I learn that Bert Freeman, the old Arsenal, Everton and Burnley player, whose feat of scoring 38 goals in First division matches in 1908-09 was a record until a couple of seasons back, now owns a cutlery shop in Birmingham." -  The Daily Chronicle, Tuesday, 6 October 1924
"ALDERMAN'S DAUGHTER'S  ACCIDENT.
"We are pleased to report that Mrs. Freeman, wife of Mr. 'Bert' Freeman, the former Burnley centre-forward and daughter of Alderman E. Whitehead. J.P., Burnley, has recovered from her accident on Tuesday night. Mrs. Freeman, who was on a visit from her home in Birmingham, ran after her child in St. James Street, and slipped on the road. The front wheel of a motor car, driven by William Foulds, Stonebridge, Colne, passed over her legs, fortunately without breaking them." -  Burnley Express, Saturday, 10 January 1925
  According to the 1939 register, Bertram C., still an electric plate manufacturer, and Margaret E. remain married and are living at 268 Perrywood Road in Birmingham, with their son, Bertram E.
Death Thursday, 11 August 1955 at his home at 268 Perry Wood Road, Birmingham, Warwickshire, following a long illness.
aged 69 years 302 days registered in Birmingham July-September 1955
Obituary
"BERT FREEMAN DEAD.
 "The death has taken place at Birmingham of Bert Freeman, the former Everton and English international centre forward, and the man who scored the goal for Burnley when they defeated Liverpool in the Cup Final of 1914 at Crystal Palace. Before the first war, Bert Freeman was one of the finest centre forwards in the country. With his twinkling feet and rather curious gait he was a terror to opposing defenders and was frequently leading marksmen for his club. His 38 goals for Everton in 1908-09 was a record at the time and stood until equalled by Joe Smith, of Bolton, and now Blackpool's manager, in 1920-21. Freeman started his football career in junior circles in Birmingham, later spending a short time with Aston Villa and Arsenal before joining the Goodison club. It was a big surprise in 1909 when Everton allowed him to go to Burnley. He remained with Burnley for eleven seasons, and then joined the old Wigan Borough side in 1921 for aq short spell. While with Burnley he played in over 300 games, including war-time football, scoring 174 goals. He played for England on five occasions prior to 1914, two of them while with Everton.
"Bert, who would have been 70 next year, leaves a widow, son and daughter. He had been in failing health for some time." - The Liverpool Echo, Friday, 12 August 1955
"Played for Villa
"Bert Freeman, the former Aston Villa and Burnley footballer, died at his home in Perrywood Road, Birmingham, yesterday, after a long illness. He scored the winning goal for Burnley in the 1914 Cup Final." - Coventry Evening Telegraph/Birmingham Daily Gazette, Friday, 12 August 1955
Funeral August 1955 at Perry Barr Crematorium, Walsall Road, Birmingham
Probate "FREEMAN Bertram Clewley of 268 Perry Wood-road Birmingham 22a died 11 August 1955 Probate Birmingham 5 September to Margaret Elizabeth Freeman widow. Effects £408 3s. 7d." [2025 equivalent: £9,298].
Source

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

Playing Career

Club(s)		 Played schoolboy football in Birmingham and turned out for Gower Street Old Boys FC, based in Aston. Where he also played for Aston Manor FC, during which he assisted the local league reserve side, that of Aston Villa FC. He was offered a professional contract in April 1904. Without playing a first team match, Woolwich Arsenal FC signed him on 24 November 1905. Everton FC then signed Freeman on 10 April 1908. Burnley FC bought Freeman, along with Harry Mountford for a £800 transfer fee on 13 April 1911. Freeman turned out for Birmingham FC as a guest during WW1. Following Burnley's Championship winning season, Freeman announced his intention to leave Turf Moor on 30 April 1921. He signed for Wigan Borough AFC on 27 September 1921 on a free transfer and was released by them in May 1922. Freeman played 'a few games' for Kettering Town FC in the 1923-24 season, retiring at the end of that season.

League honours
321 appearances, 200 goals		 Woolwich Arsenal FC 1905-08 44 appearances, 21 goals
debut: 25 November 1905 Nottingham Forest FC 3 Woolwich Arsenal FC 1.
Everton FC 1908-11 86 appearances, 63 goals
debut: 17 April 1908 Liverpool FC 0 Everton FC 0.
Burnley FC 1911-21 166 appearances, 103 goals
debut (division two): 15 April 1911 Burnley FC 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers FC 1.
Wigan Borough AFC 1921-22 25 appearances, thirteen goals
debut (division three north): 1 October 1921 Grimsby Town FC 1 Wigan Borough AFC 1.
last (division three north): 15 April 1922 Wigan Borough FC 1 Barrow FC 2.

Club honours		 Football League Division One runners-up 1908-09 (37ᵃ 38ᵍ), 1919-20 (28ᵃ 12ᵍ), Champions 1920-21 (3ᵃ); Division Two third place 1911-12 (33ᵃ 32ᵍ), runners-up 1912-13 (37ᵃ 31ᵍ);
FA Cup winners 1913-14 (8ᵃ 3ᵍ);
Individual honours Football League (four appearances);
Goalscoring records Football League Top Goalscorer 1908-09 (38), 1911-12 (32), 1912-13 (31);
Distinctions His tally of 38 league goals in 1908-09 was a new record. It was not equalled until 1920-21 (Joe Smith, Bolton Wanderers), and not surpassed until 1924-25 (Ted Harper's 43, Blackburn Rovers);
Height/Weight 5' 9½", 11st. 12lbs [1909].
Source

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

England Career
Player number One of three who became the 338th players (339) to appear for England.
Position(s) Centre-forward
First match No. 100, 15 March 1909, England 2 Wales 0, a British Championship match at the City Ground, Pavilion Road, Nottingham, aged 23 years 153 days.
Last match No. 113, 23 March 1912, Scotland 1 England 1, a British Championship match at Hampden Park, Mount Florida, Glasgow, aged 26 years 162 days.
Major tournaments British Championship 1908-09, 1911-12;
Team honours British Championship winners 1908-09, shared 1911-12;
Individual honours The North (one appearance, January 1909);
The Whites (one appearance, January 1910; withdrew in January 1912);
England Trial (one appearance, January 1913)
Distinctions None

Beyond England
Had the controlling interest in a cutlery business. - An English Football Internationalists' Who's Who. Douglas Lamming (1990). Hatton Press, p.102.


The Numbers
parties Apps comp. apps minutes goals ave.min comp. goals captain
9 5 5 450 3 150 min 3 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
5 4 1 0 13 2 +11 0 3 2.6 0.4 90 +4
All of his matches were played in the British Championship competition

Venue Record
Venue P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
Home 2 2 0 0 4 0 +4 0 2 2.00 0.00 100.0 +2
Away 3 2 1 0 9 2 +7 0 1 3.00 0.667 83.3 +2

Opposition Record

Opposition P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
Scotland 2 1 1 0 3 1 +2 0 1 1.50 0.50 75.0 +1
Wales 2 2 0 0 4 0 +4 0 2 2.00 0.00 100.0 +2
Ireland 1 1 0 0 6 1 +5 0 0 6.00 1.00 100.0 +1

Tournament Record

British Championship Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
BC 1908-09 2 2 0 0 4 0 +4 0 2 2.00 0.00 100.0 +2
BC 1911-12 3 2 1 0 9 2 +7 0 1 3.00 0.667 83.3 +2
BC All 5 4 1 0 13 2 +11 0 3 2.60 0.40 90.0 +4

All Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
BC 5 4 1 0 13 2 +11 0 3 2.60 0.40 90.0 +4
5 4 1 0 13 2 +11 0 3 2.6 0.4 90 +4

Match History
 Club: Everton F.C. - two full appearances (180 min) 1ᵍ F.A. International Select Committee - five full appearances (450 min) 3ᵍx

apps match match details comp res. rundown pos

Age 23 trial  
one appearance - The South vs. The North, 25 January 1909;

1 100 15 March 1909 - England 2 Wales 0
 City Ground, Nottingham		 BC HW  42 cf

one of three who became the 338th player (339) to appear for England
the fourteenth Everton FC player to represent England
the sixtieth player to score on his England debut

2 101 3 April 1909 - England 2 Scotland 0
Sports Arena, Crystal Palace		 BC HW   cf
102 29 May 1909 - Hungary 2 England 4, Millenáris Sportpálya, Buda-Pesth
tour		 AW withdrew
103 31 May 1909 - Hungary 2 England 8, Millenáris Sportpálya, Buda-Pesth AW
104 1 June 1909 - Austria 1 England 8, Hohe Warte Stadion, Wien AW
 

Age 24 trial  
one appearance - The Whites vs. The Stripes, January 1910;

 Club: Burnley F.C. - three full appearances (270 min) 2ᵍ  

Age 26 trial  
withdrew - The Whites vs. The Stripes, 22 January 1912;

3 111 10 February 1912 - Ireland 1 England 6
Dalymount Park, Dublin		 BC AW  50 cf

the fifth Burnley FC player to represent England

4 112 11 March 1912 - Wales 0 England 2
The Racecourse, Wrexham		 BC AW  41 cf
5 113 23 March 1912 - Scotland 1 England 1
Hampden Park, Glasgow		 BC AD   cf
 

Age 27 trial  
one appearance - The North vs. England, 20 January 1913;

115 17 March 1913 - England 4 Wales 3, Ashton Gate. Bedminster BC HW replacement reserve
 

     

 
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