|
|
|
Alf
Underwood |
Stoke FC
2 appearances, 0 goals
P 2 W 2 D
0 L 0 F 8: A 1
100%
successful
1891-92
captain: none
minutes played: 180 |
 |
|
Timeline |
| |
Alfred Underwood |
|
Birth |
Wednesday, 14 April
1869 at Boundary Street in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire |
|
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registered in Newcastle-under-Lyme April-June 1869 |
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According to the 1871
census, one year old Alfred is the youngest of six children to William and Louisa
(née Fowler). They live at 21 John Street in Hanley. |
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|
According to the 1881
census, Alfred, a potter's flowerer, is the youngest of four children, a
list that does not include Leonard, they live at 23 Duke Street in the
Fenton area of Stoke. His father is a potter's presser. |
|
|
(His mother
died in 1889)
According to the 1891
census, Alfred, still a potter's flowerer is living with his widowed
father, who is still a potter's presser. They both live with Adelaide, Alfred's
older sister, who is now married to Thomas Copeland, and have three sons.
They all live at 67 Well Street in Hanley.
(His father died shortly
after the census was taken) |
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According to the 1901
census, Alfred is a boarder at the home of widower, Sarah Hill and her son.
Cyrus. He remains a potter's presser and lives at 3 Lonsdale Road in
Stoke. |
"Alfred Underwood, the one time famous
Stoke back, and one of the best known and most highly respected players
who has ever donned the Stoke colours, is unfortunately stricken down with
a very serious illness. Underwood's disposition is of such a serious
nature as to utterly incapacitate him from earning his own livelihood. The
circumstance is doubly unfortunate since we hear that the poor sufferer is
practically destitute. It is with much pleasure, therefore, we learn that
a strong movement is being set on foot to raise a substantial sum in the
interests of Underwood, and by means of which he shall be relieved of his
present anxiety regarding the future. Very readily we fall in with a
strong desire that our columns should be thrown open to receive
subscriptions which may be sent in on his behalf. We understand that the
parent Association and the Football League are taking the matter up in the
interest of an old player who in his day was persona grata with the
officials of those bodies because of his straightforward play and entire
absence of bad temper in the open. It is almost certain, too, that the
Stoke Football Club, notwithstanding its own difficulties, will see its
way to make a generous subscription to the fund. Alf. Underwood is a
native of the district. With such a worthy object, it is sincerely to be
hoped that the football-loving public of North Staffordshire will make a
notable response to the appeal which is being formulated. There are surely
thousands who knew and appreciated Underwood's play who will gladly
subscribe a shilling or more to such an entirely deserving object. On
Friday, June 26th, I was informed that the circumstances of Underwood's
case had become much worse, and that he was in a state of absolute
destitution."
-
The Staffordshire Sentinel, Monday, 6 July 1908.
"THE CASE OF ALFRED UNDERWOOD
"Writing of Doig, Watson, and M'Combie, I am reminded of
another famous set of defenders, namely William Rowley, Tom Clare, and
Alfred Underwood. They too have been scattered. Rowley emigrated to
America, and it is said that fortune has been kind to him in the new
world. Both the backs have fallen on evil times, and I much regret to hear
that Underwood is not only in needy circumstances but now in hospital with
an injured knee, which it will be very difficult to restore to soundness.
This is very unwelcome news. Some of his best friends are subscribing, and
they hope to obtain such a sum as will afford a measure of comfort to one
of the best full-backs the old Stoke club ever had."
- The Athletic News, Monday, 13 July 1908.
"It was reported that the Players' Union had now a membership of about
1,000, embracing 60 clubs, and another 500 are expected to join within the
next two months. It was decided to hang portions of the rules of the Union
in club dressing-rooms, and to send to each member a linen badge, to be
worn on the shirt during matches. A grant of two guineas was send to the
fund for the benefit of Alfred Underwood, the old Stoke player." -
Lancashire Evening Post, Friday, 28 August 1908.
"The
Benevolent fund in connection with the Association Players' Union was only
started at the close of last season, but already its usefulness had been
demonstrated with...a contribution of £2 2s. to the fund promoted for the
benefit of Alfred Underwood, the old Stoke player." - The
Staffordshire Sentinel, Monday, 21 September 1908.
"ALF UNDERWOOD'S BENEFIT―Next
Thursday's Attraction at Stoke.
"It is a long time since
the public of the Potteries have been provided with such a splendid
opportunity of witnessing something unusually attractive in the way of
football, as will be the case on Thursday next, when a very interesting
event is going to take place on the Victoria Grounds, at Stoke. Therefore,
when it was announced that Karno's famous football party were coming to
the Hanley Grand Theatre of Varieties, Mr. Wheldon was approached on the
subject of a match being arranged with his troupe for this laudable
object. Through the kindness of the Staffordshire Football Association
Council the necessary preliminary matters were soon settled, and the Stoke
Football Club very generously promised the free use of their ground and
accessories needful for the playing of the match. The Mayor of Hanley
(Councillor G. F. Adcock) and the Mayor of Stoke (Councillor W. B.
Hackney) have consented to kick-off for the first half and second half
respectively, and the teams will be as follows:―
"Stoke Veterans.―F. Sheldon, goal; T. Clare
(capt.) and A. Rowley. backs; D. Christie, G. Shutt, and D. Brodie.
half-backs; F. Johnson, W. A. Dickson or J. Farrell, Adrian Capes, A.
Edge, and J. Schofield, forwards. Reserves: J. Turner, W. Heames, Arthur
Capes, L. Balham, J. Broadhurst, J. Owen, H. R. Brown, and A. Parsons.
"Karno's XI.―Kifford (late of West Bromwich Albion), goal; Poluski and J.
Fitchett (late of Bolton Wanderers), backs; McOustra (late of Manchester
City), W. Wragg (late of Notts Forest), and T. Buxton, half-backs; Wheldon
(capt.), Roberts, Winpenny (Dulwich Hamlet), R. Sharp (Bristol City) and
Turner.
"The kick-off will be at 2.45, and the charges of admission
will be :―Ground, 4d.; Lutler-street stand, 6d.; paddock and reserved
stand, 1s." - The Staffordshire
Sentinel, Saturday, 28 November 1908.
"ALF UNDERWOOD'S BENEFIT
MATCH.―Stoke Veterans 1 Karno's Eleven 0.
"There was a very good crowd present when the teams turned
out. The tossing for choice of ends was an interesting proceeding. Tom
Clare and 'Stiffy,' the respective captains, shook hands in the middle,
and the coin was tossed, but 'Stiffy,' opening out the top of his pants,
caught the halfpenny, and it had to be tossed again. Immediately from the
commencement Croxton banged the ball into the net and the Veterans were
one up. There were about 3,000 people present at the match."
- The Staffordshire Sentinel, Thursday, 3
December 1908.
"THE UNDERWOOD TESTIMONIAL FUND
"It has been decided to close the public fund which was opened
by the proprietors of the 'Sentinel' for the
benefit of Alfred Underwood, the old Stoke and International footballer.
Additional subscriptions which have been received have brought the total amount to £100 5s. 7d., and
so no expenses have
been charged. the gross sum becomes available for distribution. The
committee appointed to deal with the fund met at the 'Sentinel' office
this morning, and approved of certain payments which have already been
made to Underwood. They further decided upon the payment of a fixed weekly
sum to the beneficiaries, and appointed Dr. A. Rowley Moody and Mr. W. A.
Cowlishaw as a sub-committee, with Mr. George Walker (manger of the
'Sentinel'), as administrator of the fund, to carry their wishes into
effect." -
The Staffordshire Sentinel,
Wednesday, 2 December 1908.
"This sum will be augmented by the proceeds of a match at
the Victoria Ground, Stoke, to-day, between famous veterans of the Stoke
club and a team raised from Karno's company, who are appearing at a Hanley
music hall this week." -
The Yorkshire Post,
Thursday, 3 December 1908.
[2019 equivalent: £12,120] |
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According to the 1911
census, Alfred, now a commission agent in the pottery trade is living with
his brother, Leonard and his large family, at 99 Ashford Street in
Hanley. |
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According to the 1921
census, Alfred, still a commission agent, as an inmate at the Guardian's
Institution at 19 London Road in Newcastle-under-Lyme. |
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Regarding an inspection of the Stoke Guardians' Institution.
"The nucleus of the present very extensive groups of buildings was the
comparatively small structure, almost in the centre of the site, now used
as male infirm wards, bearing the inscription, 'Stoke Parish Hospital.
A.D. 1842.' Here, by the way, on Thursday, the visitors encountered, in an
invalid chair, Alfred Underwood, at one time back in the Stoke football
team, and a member of the famous defence, Rowley, Clare and Underwood." -
The Staffordshire Sentinel, Friday, 28 October 1921. |
|
Death |
Monday 3.55am, 8 October 1928 at the Stoke-on-Trent Poor Law
Institution, on London Road in Newcastle-under-Lyme,
Staffordshire. |
|
aged
59 years 177 days |
registered in Stoke-upon-Trent October-December 1928 |
|
Obituary |
"DEATH OF FAMOUS FOOTBALLER―Alf.
Underwood, of Stoke and England.―One of Great Defensive Trio.
"The death occurred at the London-road
Institution, Stoke, this morning, at the age of 61, of Alf Underwood, the
former English International and Stoke football player. Underwood was a
left-back, along with Rowley (goal) and Clare (right-back) formed one of
the finest defences any club has ever possessed. The three played together
for England against Ireland in the season 1891-92. A native of Hanley,
Underwood played as a boy for Hanley Tabernacle and later for Etruria F.C.
He then joined the Stoke reserve team, later gaining his place in the
first eleven. He was a potter by trade, and was a member of the club in
its early days, when professionals received a very low rate of pay. Both
he and Clare had renumeration at a rate as low as 2s.6d. per match. He was
a member of the Stoke side when the cub first took part in the Football
League and he was a regular player in the team when the late Mr. Harry
Lockett, who was the first Secretary of the League, was also Secretary of
the Stoke club. When Underwood's football days came to an end, Jack Eccles
succeeded him as the Club's left-back, and partnered Clare."
- The Staffordshire
Sentinel, Monday, 8 October 1928.
"INQUEST
ON OLD STOKE FOOTBALLER―City Coroner's Tribute to Alfred Underwood
"The death of the old Stoke
footballer, Alfred Underwood, which occurred at the London-road
Institution on Monday morning, at the age of 59, was the subject of an
inquest conducted by the City Coroner (Mr W. M. Huntbach) at the
Institution this (Wednesday) morning.
Evidence was given by a nephew, William
Leonard Underwood, of 99, Ashford-street, Shelton, to the effect that
deceased had followed no regular occupation for the past 25 years, and had
been an inmate of the infirm ward of the Institution for the past 14
years. Dr, Anderson said that for some time past Underwood had been very
feeble and had a wheeled chair, which he propelled himself, to enable him
to get about. About 5 45 a.m. on September 29th he was found by his
attendant, Edward Haydon, lying at the bottom of some stone steps leading
to the basement of the male infirm ward, with his chair smashed to pieces.
He received a severe cut on the scalp and was removed to the hospital.
Death took place on Monday at 3 55a.m. His health had broken down,
undoubtedly due to the shock of the fall, which was the cause of death. In
returning a verdict of 'Accidental Death,' the Coroner said there was an
element of sadness in this case. 'Here was a man,' he said, 'who a quarter
of a century ago was one of the best known men in the district, a
distinguished football player who had represented his country in
international matches. He was a member of one of the finest defences that
football has ever known. As a player he was an honourable straight fellow.
I have seen him play many a time, and although he played a whole-hearted
game, I never saw him do a dirty trick. He was one of those men whose
efforts had ministered to the enjoyment and happiness of thousands of
people on many occasions, and those efforts had been conducted in such a
way as to make everybody who knew him respect him and feel kindly towards
him.'" -
The Staffordshire Sentinel, Wednesday, 10 October 1928.
"The relatives of the late Alfred Underwood desire to thank all
friends for their expressions of sympathy and floral tributes in their in
their recent sad bereavement.―Ashford-street, Shelton." - The
Staffordshire Sentinel, Friday, 12 October 1928. |
|
Source |
 Douglas Lammings' An
English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990] & |
|
Playing Career |
Club(s) |
Began his junior career with Hanley Tabernacle FC
before joining Etruria FC. Joined Stoke FC.
'He first came to notoriety in the season of
1887-8. Already William Rowley and Tom Clare had made a name for
themselves, and when Underwood joined them he completed a defence which
has never been surpassed by any combination of any club in the kingdom.
Underwood played brilliantly in first-class football for a period; and no
member of any club has done more to popularise the game, to develop it
from its scientific side, or to set a higher example of what a player
should be.' Underwood retired
because of a knee injury sustained after a league match against Nottingham
Forest FC on 11 September 1893, but played once more in February 1895. |
League History
94 appearances |
Stoke FC 1888-95 94 appearances.
debut:
8 September 1888 Stoke FC 0 West Bromwich Albion FC 2.
last: 4 February
1895 Stoke FC 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers FC 0. |
|
Club honours |
Football Alliance winners 1890-91;
Football League Division One seventh place 1892-93 (26ᵃ); |
|
Individual honours |
None |
|
Height/Weight |
6'
0", 13st.
0lbs [1890's]. |
|
Source |
Douglas Lammings' An English
Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990]. |
|
England Career |
|
Player number |
One of
five who became the 174th players
(175) to appear for England. |
|
Position(s) |
Left-back |
|
First match |
No. 41, 7 March 1891,
England 6
Ireland 1,
a British Championship
match at Molineux Ground, Waterloo Road North, St. Peter's, Wolverhampton, aged
21 years
327 days. |
Last match
363 days |
No. 44, 5
March 1892, Ireland 0 England 2, a British Championship match at
Cliftonville Gardens, Cliftonville, Belfast, aged 22 years 326 days. |
|
Major tournaments |
British Championship 1890-91, 1891-92; |
|
Team honours |
British Championship winners 1890-91; |
|
Individual honours |
The North
(one appearance, January 1891)
The Stripes (two
appearances, March 1891-February 1892) |
|
Distinctions |
None |
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Beyond England |
|
A potter by trade, he was apparently
an invalid from the 1900's. -
An English Football Internationalists' Who's Who.
Douglas Lamming (1990). Hatton Press, p.252. |
|
The Numbers |
|
parties |
Appearances |
comp. apps |
minutes |
 |
captain |
|
3 |
2 |
2 |
180 |
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 |
|
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
2 |
+6 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
100 |
+2 |
|
Both 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 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
1 |
+5 |
0 |
0 |
6.00 |
1.00 |
100.0 |
+1 |
|
Away |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
+2 |
0 |
1 |
2.00 |
0.00 |
100.0 |
+1 |
Tournament Record
|
British Championship Competition |
|
Type |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
FTS |
CS |
FAv |
AAv |
Pts% |
W/L |
|
BC 1890-91 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
1 |
+5 |
0 |
0 |
6.00 |
1.00 |
100.0 |
+1 |
|
BC 1891-92 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
+2 |
0 |
1 |
2.00 |
0.00 |
100.0 |
+1 |
|
BC
All |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
2 |
+6 |
0 |
1 |
4.00 |
1.00 |
100.0 |
+2 |
|
All Competition |
|
Type |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
FTS |
CS |
FAv |
AAv |
Pts% |
W/L |
|
BC |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
2 |
+6 |
0 |
1 |
4.00 |
1.00 |
100.0 |
+2 |
|
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
2 |
+6 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
100 |
+2 |
Match History
|
apps |
match |
match details |
comp |
res. |
rundown |
pos |
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