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Ernest
Needham |
Sheffield United FC
16 appearances, 3 goals
one penalty kick scored, two penalty
kicks missed
P 16
W 11 D 3 L 2 F
55: A 14
78% successful
1894-1902
captain:
one
minutes played: 1440 |
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Timeline |
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Ernest Needham |
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According to the 1871
census, George and Mary (née Wright) are living at Sheffield Road
in Newbold. They already have four children, Sarah Alice, Emily Florence,
Wright and John. George is a butcher. |
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Birth |
Tuesday, 21 January 1873 in Sheffield Road, Newbold Moor,
Chesterfield, Derbyshire. |
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registered in Chesterfield January-March 1873. |
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Baptism |
Sunday, 23 March 1873 in Great Barlow, Derbyshire |
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According to the 1881
census, George & Mary are now living at Chesterfield Road in Staveley. George is now a coalminer, and although Sarah and Emily have
moved on, Wright, John and now Ernest and Herbert live with their parents.
What is clear is that this is the Needham family, but their name in
the census is stated as Crook(e)s. |
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|
According to the 1891
census, the Needham family, that is, parents George and Mary, daughter
Sarah Alice and three sons, John, Ernest and Herbert, all live at
Barnfield Villas in Staveley. His father remains a coalminer, a vocation
Ernest has also taken up. |
|
Marriage |
to May
Jones, on Tuesday, 31 January 1893 at St John the Baptist Church, Staveley,
Derbyshire |
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registered in Chesterfield January-March 1893. |
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Children |
Ernest and May
Needham had two daughters together,
Minnie (b.1893)
and Florence Mary (b.5 November 1894) |
"SERIOUS ILLNESS OF ERNEST NEEDHAM
"Followers of football all
over the country will regret to learn that Ernest Needham, the popular and
well known International half-back, and member of the Sheffield United
team, is lying at his home in Staveley seriously ill with inflammation of
the bowels. He should have gone to Bolton on Saturday with the team to
meet the Wanderers at Pike's Lane, and to journey thence to Scotland.
However, he failed to put in an appearance, and this, in the case of so
reliable a man as Needham, was felt to presage something out of the
common. As a matter of fact a telegram was sent to the club office in
Sheffield, but through an oversight none was sent to Bolton. Two
representatives of the United Committee (Mr Stones and Mr T A Tomlinson)
visited him at Staveley on Sunday, and reported somewhat seriously as to
his condition. Dr Court, who has been called in, states that the illness
arises evidently from severe exposure or chill, and on being reminded of
the blizzard at Birmingham when Needham, with others, became unconscious
through exposure stated that the present seizure was quite likely to arise
from that As a matter of fact Needham has never ceased to speak of his
experience in that match, and has many times expressed his belief that he
had not fully recovered. The doctor, we may add, has enjoined perfect rest
for the present. We are pleased to learn that Needham is improving."
- The Derbyshire Times, Wednesday, 2 January 1895 |
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(His mother died in 1900)
According to the 1901
census, Ernest is now married to May and they have two children, Minnie
and Florence. They live with his in-laws, the Jones' family, parents
William and Lucy, sons George and Arthur. They all live at 6 Hartington
Cottages in Staveley. Ernest is stated as a professional footballer.
(His father died 1 February 1904 in Narborough) |
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According to the 1911
census, Ernest is a professional cricketer, as well as footballer. He and
May still have Minnie and Florence, but also a six year old nephew lives
with them. Frank Jones. They live at Edge Mount on Chesterfield Road in
Staveley. |
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According to the 1921
census, Ernest is a fitters labourer (for the Staveley Coal & Iron
Company). He and
May still have Minnie and Florence, but also a four year old granddaughter lives
with them. Kathleen Dorothy. They live at The Mount on Chesterfield Road in Staveley. |
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"A
sportsmen's service, the proceeds of which will be devoted to Staveley
Town Football Club, is to be held in Staveley Primitive Methodist Church
next Sundey afternoon. Ernest Needham will be the speaker, and the lessons
will be read by Jack Tremelling, present captain of the Staveley Midland
League team." - The Sheffield Daily Independent, Thursday, 27
February 1930 |
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"Yesterday
was the 61st birthday of Ernest Needham of Staveley. 'Nudger' as he is
still known to his pals, is a familiar figure in Sheffield, rarely missing
a home match." - The Daily Independent, Monday, 22 January
1934 |
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"Ernest
Needham who lives at Staveley, celebrated his 62nd
birthday on Monday." - The Express, Saturday, 26 January 1935 |
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"At a
meeting of the Derbyshire F.A. last night, it was reported that under the
Football Association scheme for coaching the secondary schools, Ernest
Needham, of Sheffield United, and A. T. Jones, the former Notts County and
Notts Forest player, had given lessons." - The Daily
Independent, Thursday, 14 March 1935 |
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"ERNEST
NEEDHAM UNDERGOES OPERATION AT CHESTERFIELD
"Ernest Needham, the old
international footballer and former captain of Sheffield United, was admitted
to Chesterfield Royal Hospital during the week-end to undergo an operation
for internal
trouble. The operation was performed on Tuesday. Upon inquiry at the
hospital last (Thursday) night The Derbyshire Times was informed
that Needham's condition was unchanged" - The Derbyshire
Times, Friday, 6 March 1936 |
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Death |
Sunday, 8 March 1936
at The Royal Hospital, Chesterfield,
Derbyshire. |
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aged
63 years 47 days |
registered in Chesterfield January-March 1936. |
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Obituary |
"ERNEST NEEHAM DEATH OF FORMER
SHEFFIELD UNITED CAPTAIN
"The death of Ernest Needham, the former Sheffield United captain and
half-back, which occurred in the Chesterfield Royal Hospital, yesterday,
severs another link with the early days of football. He was aged 63.
Needham was admitted to hospital ten days ago, suffering from an internal
complaint which developed after an attack of bronchitis and pleurisy.
Needham, although not a big man, was one of the best half-backs who ever
played for England. His career began with Staveley, at that time a very
strong club, and afterwards he went to Sheffield United."
- Derby Evening Telegraph, Monday, 9 March 1936 |
,%20Ernest.jpg) |
Funeral:
Thursday, 12 March 1936 at Staveley Parish Church,
buried at Staveley cemetery (left),
Inkersall Road, Staveley, Chesterfield,
Derbyshire
"Many of his old football
colleagues and contemporary players were present at the funeral yesterday
at Staveley Parish Church of Mr. Ernest Needham, the old Sheffield United
captain. Staveley itself was a town of mourning for the funeral. Blinds
were drawn everywhere and large numbers of people lined the streets as the
cortege passed, to pay their last tribute to the famus footballer.
Staveley Parish Church was filled. A short and simple service was
conducted by the Rector of Staveley (the Rev. H. H. Dibben), assisted by
the Rev. R. J. Fielder. Another curate, the Rev. S. Douglas, was at the
organ. Six of the famous players' nephews acted as bearers. Members of
Staveley Working Men's Club, including Mr. T. T. Nuttall (vice-chairman)
and Mr. G. Isaacs (secretary), lined the path from the church gates to the
porch." - The Daily
Independent, Friday, 13 March 1936 |
Various Probates:
"NEEDHAM
Ernest of Chesterfield-road Staveley
Derbyshire
died 8 March 1936 at the Royal Hospital
Chesterfield Derbyshire Probate
London
1 May 1936 to May Needham
widow and Wright Needham retired coal miner.
Effects £4489 10s. 8d."
[2023 equivalent: £259,945] |
"NEEDHAM
Ernest of Edgemount 121 Chesterfield-road Staveley
Derbyshire
died 8 March 1936 at the Royal Hospital
Chesterfield Derbyshire Administration (with Will)
London
28 March 1952 to Minnie
Needham and Florence Mary Needham spinsters.
Effects £50."
[2023 equivalent: £1,187].
Former Grant P..R 1 May 1936. |
"NEEDHAM
Ernest of Edgemount 121 Chesterfield-road Staveley
Derbyshire
died 8 March 1936 at the Royal Hospital
Chesterfield Derbyshire Administration (with Will) (limited)
London
2 December 1957 to Kathleen
Doorthy Chapman married woman .
Effects £2200."
[2023 equivalent: £43,667].
Former Grant P..R 1 May 1936 and 28 March 1952. |
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May Needham died in the 1951 summer
in Staveley. |
|
Source |
 Douglas Lammings' An
English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990] & |
|
Biographies |
Association Football -
Ernest Needham (1901)
Association
Football - Ernest Needham and Michael Robinson
(reprint, Soccer Books, 4 November 2003) |
|
Playing Career |
|
Club(s) |
Began his
career playing with Waverley FC, and then joined neighbours Staveley
Wanderers FC in 1889. In the 1890-91 season, Needham was playing with
Staveley Town FC, joining Sheffield United FC in April 1891, where he
remained until his retirement in 1909. |
League History
464 appearances,
52 goals |
Sheffield United FC 1892-1910 225 appearances,
three goals.
debut: 3 September 1892 Sheffield United FC 4 Lincoln City
AFC 2.
last: 22 January 1910 Bolton Wanderers FC 1 Sheffield United FC 0. |
|
Club honours |
Football
League Division Two runners-up 1892-93 (20ᵃ 5ᵍ);
Football League Division One
runners-up 1896-97 (29ᵃ 6ᵍ), 1899-1900 (25ᵃ),
Champions 1897-98
(29ᵃ 8ᵍ), fourth place 1902-03 (26ᵃ 1ᵍ), 1906-07 (33ᵃ 4ᵍ).
FA Cup winners 1898-99
(9ᵃ 3ᵍ), 1901-02 (8ᵃ 1ᵍ), runners-up 1900-01 (7ᵃ); |
|
Individual honours |
Football
League (ten appearances);
Sheffield FA; |
|
Distinctions |
Had a brother and
nephew, George Wright Needham, who were also professionals.
Also played
cricket for Derbyshire between 1901 and 1912
(scored two centuries in a match vs. Essex, 1908). |
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Height/Weight |
5'
5¾", 11st.
5lbs [1899],
5'
5½", 10st.
8lbs [1901]. |
|
Source |
Douglas Lammings' An English
Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990] & ENFA. |
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England Career |
|
Player number |
217th
player to appear for England. |
|
Position(s) |
Left-half |
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First match |
No. 52,
7 April 1894, Scotland 2 England 2, a British Championship at Celtic Park,
Kerrydale Street, Parkhead, Glasgow, aged 21 years
76 days. |
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Last match |
No. 74, 3 March 1902, Wales 0 England 0,
a British Championship match
at
The
Racecourse, Mold Road, Wrexham, aged
29 years 41 days.
 |
|
Major tournaments |
British Championship
1893-94, 1894-95, 1896-97, 1897-98, 1898-99, 1899-1900, 1900-01, 1901-02; |
|
Team honours |
British
Championship winners 1894-95, 1897-98, 1898-99,
1900-01; |
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Individual honours |
The
Professionals (three appearances March 1893-March 1896)
The Whites
(withdrew in March 1894)
The North
(two appearances February 1899-March 1901, withdrew in March 1900 &
February 1902) |
|
Distinctions |
most appearanced Englishman at Sheffield United FC. |
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Beyond England |
|
Later a steel worker. -
An English Football Internationalists' Who's Who.
Douglas Lamming (1990). Hatton Press, p.184. |
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The Numbers |
|
parties |
Apps |
comp. apps |
minutes |
 | goals ave.min |
comp. goals |
penalty
kicks |
captain |
|
17 |
16 |
16 |
1440 |
3 |
480
min |
3 |
1 |
one |
|
2 |
|
minutes are an approximation, due to the fact that many matches rarely stick to exactly ninety minutes long, allowing time for injuries and errors. |
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P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
FTS
|
CS |
FAv |
AAv |
Pts% |
W/L |
|
16 |
11 |
3 |
2 |
55 |
14 |
+41 |
1 |
9 |
3.438 |
0.875 |
78.1 |
+9 |
|
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 |
10 |
8 |
1 |
1 |
11 |
7 |
+4 |
0 |
6 |
1.10 |
0.70 |
85.0 |
+7 |
|
Away |
6 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
44 |
7 |
+37 |
1 |
3 |
7.333 |
1.167 |
66.7 |
+2 |
Captain Record
|
Venue |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
FTS
|
CS |
FAv |
AAv |
Pts% |
W/L |
|
Home |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
+6 |
0 |
1 |
6.00 |
0.00 |
100.0 |
+1 |
|
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
+6 |
0 |
1 |
6 |
0 |
100 |
+1 |
Tournament Record
|
British Championship Competition |
|
Type |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
FTS |
CS |
FAv |
AAv |
Pts% |
W/L |
|
BC 1893-94 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
=0 |
0 |
0 |
2.00 |
2.00 |
50.0 |
=0 |
|
BC 1894-95 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
+3 |
0 |
1 |
3.00 |
0.00 |
100.0 |
+1 |
|
BC 1895-96 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
=0 |
0 |
0 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
00.0 |
=0 |
|
BC 1896-97 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
11 |
2 |
+9 |
0 |
2 |
2.667 |
0.667 |
66.7 |
+1 |
|
BC 1897-98 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
1 |
+5 |
0 |
1 |
3.00 |
0.50 |
100.0 |
+2 |
|
BC 1898-99 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
19 |
3 |
+16 |
0 |
1 |
6.333 |
1.00 |
100.0 |
+3 |
|
BC 1899-1900 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
-1 |
0 |
1 |
1.50 |
2.00 |
50.0 |
=0 |
|
BC 1900-01 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
11 |
2 |
+9 |
0 |
2 |
2.667 |
0.667 |
83.3 |
+2 |
|
BC 1901-02 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
=0 |
1 |
1 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
50.0 |
=0 |
|
BC
All |
16 |
11 |
3 |
2 |
55 |
14 |
+41 |
1 |
9 |
3.438 |
0.875 |
78.1 |
+9 |
|
All Competition |
|
Type |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
FTS |
CS |
FAv |
AAv |
Pts% |
W/L |
|
BC |
16 |
11 |
3 |
2 |
55 |
14 |
+41 |
1 |
9 |
3.438 |
0.875 |
78.1 |
+9 |
|
16 |
11 |
3 |
2 |
55 |
14 |
+41 |
1 |
9 |
3.438 |
0.875 |
78.1 |
+9 |
Match History
|
apps |
match |
match details |
comp |
res. |
rundown |
pos |
,%20Ernest.JPG)
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