Frank Austin (footballer)

John Frank Austin (6 July 1933 – 14 July 2004) was an English professional footballer. He played as a full-back and represented England as a schoolboy. He was born in Stoke-on-Trent.

Frank Austin
Personal information
Full name John Frank Austin[1]
Date of birth (1933-07-06)6 July 1933
Place of birth Stoke-on-Trent, England
Date of death 14 July 2004(2004-07-14) (aged 71)
Place of death Long Eaton,[2] England
Position(s) Full-back
Youth career
19??–1950 Coventry City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1950–1963 Coventry City 302 (2)
1963–1964 Torquay United 24 (0)
Chelmsford City
Brentwood Town
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Frank Austin began his career as a junior with Coventry City, turning professional in July 1950, although he had to wait until the 1952–53 season for his league debut. His career at Coventry spanned over 12 years and he played a total of 302 league games, scoring twice as Coventry rose through the divisions.

In January 1963 he moved to Torquay United, making his debut on 18 March in a 1–0 defeat away to Newport County, but only as a stand-in for George Allen.[3] He had more success the following season, missing only one of the first 23 games before losing his place to Ray Spencer. He left Plainmoor without making any further appearances and joined non-league Chelmsford City. In the summer of 1965 Frank joined the newly formed semi-professional club Brentwood Town. Brentwood had just joined the Metropolitan League and Frank formed a successful partnership with Dai Jones in the full back position. In his second season appearances were limited due to injury. He was part of the team that won the Metropolitan League Challenge Cup in 1967.

References

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  1. ^ Barry J. Hugman (1998). The PFA Premier & Football League players' records 1946-1998. Queen Anne Press. ISBN 1-85291-585-4.
  2. ^ "Team-mate mourns long-server". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 14 July 2004. Archived from the original on 20 October 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2008.
  3. ^ Leigh Edwards (March 1997). The definitive Torquay United F.C. ISBN 1-899468-09-9.