Wikipedia

Jack Dorrington

John Dorrington (2 June 1881 – 9 January 1944) was an English footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He spent his entire 12-year professional career with Birmingham (renamed from Small Heath in 1905), for which he made 106 appearances in the Football League.

Jack Dorrington
Personal information
Full name John Dorrington
Date of birth (1881-06-02)2 June 1881
Place of birth Smethwick, England
Date of death 9 January 1944(1944-01-09) (aged 62)
Place of death Birmingham, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Langley St Michael's
West Smethwick
1899–1900 Soho Villa
West Bromwich Albion 0 (0)
1900–1901 Kidderminster Harriers
1901–1913 Small Heath / Birmingham 106 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Born in Smethwick in 1881, Dorrington played football for minor clubs in that area. While with Soho Villa, he signed amateur forms with West Bromwich Albion, but never played for their first team. After a year with Kidderminster Harriers of the Birmingham and District League, he joined Football League First Division club Small Heath in 1901. The consistency and reliability of Nat Robinson meant that Dorrington made only ten appearances in his first six seasons. He was first-choice goalkeeper for the next two years before injury intervened, then regained his place in 1909–10 before blood poisoning effectively put an end to his career and nearly cost him his leg. He retired from playing in 1913.

Dorrington then ran several pubs, organised charity football matches, and coached the junior teams at Aston Villa. He died in 1944 at the age of 62.

Personal life edit

John Dorrington was born on 2 June 1881 in Smethwick, which was then in Staffordshire,[2] the son of John and Julia Dorrington. At the time of the 1891 Census, the family were living in Watt Street, Handsworth, Dorrington's father was working as a steam hammerman, and there were five children.[3] The 1901 Census records the 19-year-old Dorrington still living in the family home in Handsworth and working as a turner.[4] He married Helen Sarah Jones in 1902.[5][6]

Dorrington died in Birmingham General Hospital on 9 January 1944 after a short illness; he was 62.[7][8] At the time of his death, he and his wife had a son and a daughter.[9]

Early football career edit

He played local football for Langley St Michaels and West Smethwick,[10] and spent the 1899–1900 season with Soho Villa of the Birmingham Junior League. In September 1899, the Bromsgrove Messenger's "Spectator" thought he was "the least satisfactory member of his team, and seemed to lack confidence in dealing with shots",[11][12] but five months later, the same reporter thought that "it says much for Dorrington's goalkeeping that the score was not much heavier."[13] During that season, he signed amateur forms with Football League First Division club West Bromwich Albion, but made no appearances for the senior side.[2] In 1900 he joined Kidderminster Harriers, where he earned himself a reputation as "a player with a big future [who] was held by many to be the smartest custodian in the Birmingham and District League."[1]

Dorrington signed for Small Heath, newly promoted to the First Division, in May 1901 as backup for the established Nat Robinson.[1] Robinson was ever-present through the 1901–02 relegation season and into October 1902,[14] when a bad cold kept him at home, allowing Dorrington to make his club and Football League debut as a late replacement in a 2–2 draw away to Burslem Port Vale. The Sports Argus opined that "Good reserve goalkeepers are not picked up at every street corner. But in Dorrington, Small Heath have one who is quite capable of adequately stepping into Robinson's shoes at any time."[15][16] A 6–1 defeat away to fellow promotion hopefuls Woolwich Arsenal saw Robinson dropped in favour of Dorrington for the last four matches of the season,[17] and three wins were enough to secure runners-up spot.[18] Dorrington began the 1903–04 First Division season as first choice, but ten goals conceded in the first three games by a team disrupted by injuries cost him his place, and Robinson played out the rest of the season.[19][20][21]

It was not for another three years, with Robinson away representing the Football League XI against their Irish counterparts, that Dorrington next appeared for the first team, by which the club had renamed itself Birmingham; they lost 2–0 to Sheffield United.[22] He was granted a benefit match to recognise five years' service, and the reserve match against West Bromwich Albion on Christmas Eve 1906 – the last game played at Coventry Road before the club moved to its newly built St Andrew's Ground – was chosen; 2,000 spectators turned up to see Birmingham win 5–2 on a soaking pitch and Dorrington save a penalty.[23][24]

Regular first-team football edit

Dorrington finally replaced Robinson as first-choice goalkeeper in November 1907, "it being thought advisable, owing to the latter suffering from nervous strain, to engage him in less strenuous football." It was not a generally popular decision,[25] and it took Dorrington a few matches to settle, but he "soon began to improve, and in a few weeks he was as capable a custodian as could be found".[26]

Nevertheless, the team returned to the second tier for the 1908–09 season, during which Dorrington missed four matches with a shoulder injury but was otherwise ever-present.[27][28] In his column in Thomson's Weekly News in February 1909, he wrote that "if Birmingham had had anything like luck this season in the matter of freedom from injuries they might now be well in the running for promotion."[29] They finished 11th of 20.[30] He also enhanced his reputation as a saver of penalties with three in two matches in September 1908, one in a draw with Fulham when the taker scuffed his kick,[31] and two in the Lord Mayor's Charity Cup against Aston Villa two days later. Birmingham led 3–1 when Villa were awarded a penalty for handball, which Harry Hampton took and Dorrington saved, but before Joe Bache could reach the rebound, he was tripped; Hampton took the second kick, and Dorrington again saved. Birmingham won the match 5–2.[32][33] The match referee, J.G.A. Sharpe, wrote afterwards that "Dorrington is a wonder at saving penalties, and Birmingham will do well to play him regular in the first team."[34]

Dorrington began the 1909–10 season in the first team, but after a 2–0 defeat away to Clapton Orient in November in which both goals came from his errors,[35] he missed the next game with a sprained ankle, Arthur Box took over,[36] and Dorrington played only twice more, the following April.[37] The team finished bottom of the table and were re-elected to the League. Box moved on, Dorrington stayed, and again began the season as first choice.[38] In October, he was the only representative of the Birmingham club to be selected for the Birmingham Association eleven to face their London counterparts in an inter-association match; London won 3–0.[39]

Injuries put an end to his career edit

Facing Wolverhampton Wanderers in November 1910, he dived to block a forward in the act of shooting and was kicked in the shoulder; while he was lying on the ground injured, the forward regained the ball and scored. The initial diagnosis was a broken shoulderblade, although the player believed there was no fracture,[40][41] and he missed only three matches.[42] During the drawn cup-tie against Oldham Athletic in January 1911, Dorrington suffered a cut knee, which became inflamed; he neglected to have it treated because he wanted to play in the replay. Blood poisoning ensued, an operation was performed at the Queen's Hospital, and "had another few hours elapsed amputation would probably have been necessary."[43] He underwent further procedures over the next two weeks before being discharged from hospital,[44] and later went on holiday to Bournemouth to aid his recovery.[45] He finally retook the field for Birmingham's reserves on 3 April,[46] and in the absence of Horace Bailey from the last match of the Second Division season, "proved that he [had] lost none of his skill as a custodian."[47]

A mistake in the opening match of the 1911–12 season – allowing a ball to bounce over his shoulder and into the net – cost him his place.[48] He made three league appearances in December, standing in for the amateur Bailey, whose business kept him unavailable,[49][50] and in January 1912 injured an ankle and was out for several months.[51] In 1912–13, his last season as a Birmingham player, his benefit match attracted a crowd of 8,000 and raised some £150.[52][53] When not required for playing duties, he helped coach the players and acted as a scout for the club. According to the Evening Despatch, "the fact that the "Blues"' Reserves have done so well this season" – the team finished fifth in the Birmingham League that season, and two years later won the title[54] – "is a tribute to his judgment. Most of the reserves have been signed up on the ex-custodian's recommendation."[55] West Midlands football historian Tony Matthews described him as "a grand servant to Blues, totally fearless, with a jovial temperament that did wonders for morale, even in difficult times."[10]

Later life and career edit

After retiring as a player, Dorrington went into the pub trade, first with the Green Dragon in Kinver,[56] from where he organised a football team to play in the Kidderminster League.[57][58] He was at the Dudley Arms in Cape Hill, Smethwick,[59] and took over at the Holte Hotel, near Villa Park, in late 1924.[60]

He was active in arranging charity football matches, and inaugurated an annual match between ex-professional players and the local police team in aid of the Smethwick Cripples' Union.[61][62][63] In the 1930s, Dorrington worked as a scout for Aston Villa,[64] and managed their Birmingham Combination team.[8] He also ran a newsagent's and tobacconist's shop in Soho Road, Birmingham.[8]

Career statistics edit

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Small Heath 1901–02[65] First Division 0 0 0 0 0 0
1902–03[18] Second Division 5 0 0 0 5 0
1903–04[21] First Division 3 0 0 0 3 0
1904–05[66] First Division 0 0 0 0 0 0
Birmingham 1905–06[67] First Division 0 0 0 0 0 0
1906–07[68] First Division 2 0 0 0 2 0
1907–08[69] First Division 24 0 2 0 26 0
1908–09[27] Second Division 34 0 1 0 35 0
1909–10[37] Second Division 14 0 0 0 14 0
1910–11[42] Second Division 19 0 2 0 21 0
1911–12[50] Second Division 4 0 0 0 4 0
1912–13[70] Second Division 1 0 0 0 1 0
Career total 106 0 5 0 111 0

Honours edit

Small Heath

Sources edit

  • Matthews, Tony (1995). Birmingham City: A Complete Record. Derby: Breedon Books. ISBN 978-1-85983-010-9.

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Football prospects. Small Heath". Birmingham Daily Mail. 24 August 1901. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b "Dorrington, J (Jack)". English National Football Archive. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  3. ^ "John Dorrington: England and Wales Census, 1891". RG12 2259/124 p. 15. Retrieved 7 April 2022 – via FamilySearch.
  4. ^ "John Dorrington: England and Wales Census, 1901". RG13 116 p. 31. Retrieved 7 April 2022 – via FamilySearch.
  5. ^ "John Dorrington: England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837–2005". West Bromwich vol. 6b p. 1317. Retrieved 7 April 2022 – via FamilySearch.
  6. ^ "Public notices". Birmingham Post. 28 August 1944. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Death of Jack Dorrington". The Villa News & Record. Aston Villa F.C. 15 January 1944. p. 4.
  8. ^ a b c "J. Dorrington dead. Aided Blues and Villa". Evening Despatch. Birmingham. 12 January 1944. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Personal column". Birmingham Mail. 15 January 1944. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ a b Matthews (1995), p. 83.
  11. ^ "Birmingham Junior League. Bromsgrove Rovers v. Soho Villa". Bromsgrove Messenger. 16 September 1899. p. 8.
  12. ^ Spectator (16 September 1899). "Sport & Pastime. Football notes". Bromsgrove Messenger. p. 8.
  13. ^ Spectator (10 February 1900). "Sport & Pastime. Football notes". Bromsgrove Messenger. p. 6.
  14. ^ Matthews (1995), pp. 148–149.
  15. ^ "Burslem Port Vale v. Small Heath". Birmingham Daily Mail. 4 October 1902. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ Argus Junior (11 October 1902). "Lights and shadows". Sports Argus. Birmingham. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ "Football. Good Friday's matches". Birmingham Daily Gazette. 10 April 1903. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ a b c Matthews (1995), p. 149.
  19. ^ "Football. Small Heath open with a reverse". Birmingham Daily Gazette. 2 September 1903. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com. When, however, no fewer than four first-class men were able to play the task became a hard one indeed.
  20. ^ "Football notes. Disappointment at Small Heath". Birmingham Daily Mail. 7 September 1903. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com. ... for some time the home team consisted of ten men only, while the injury sustained by Field naturally affected his play, although he pluckily returned to assist his comrades.
  21. ^ a b Matthews (1995), p. 150.
  22. ^ Brum (13 October 1906). "To-day's games". Birmingham Gazette and Express. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ "Birmingham's programme". Birmingham Daily Mail. 21 December 1906. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ "Birmingham League. Birmingham Res. defeat Albion Res". Birmingham Gazette and Express. 25 December 1906. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ^ "Dogged by ill luck". Sports Argus. Birmingham. 9 November 1907. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com. ... the only change in the team being Dorrington instead of Robinson, it being thought advisable, owing to the latter suffering from nervous strain, to engage him in less strenuous football. ... Those people who had questioned the wisdom of the Birmingham directors in calling upon Dorrington would have been silenced could they have seen the excellent display he gave. Only his coolness and dexterity saved the "Blues" from disaster. ... Dorrington had no chance with the shot that beat him. It came at the end of a long-sustained scrimmage and after he had saved twice.
  26. ^ "Birmingham's new goalkeeper". Sports Argus. Birmingham. 15 August 1908. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ^ a b Matthews (1995), p. 155.
  28. ^ "Division II. Burnley v. Birmingham". Birmingham Daily Mail. 30 January 1909. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ "Birmingham's luck". Birmingham Daily Mail. 25 February 1909. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ^ Felton, Paul (4 September 2008). "England – Football Statistics Archive – League Records". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF). Archived from the original on 18 October 2000. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  31. ^ "Fulham and Birmingham draw". The Observer. London. 20 September 1908. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. ^ "This day's football. Birmingham v. Aston Villa. Lord Mayor's Charity Cup". Birmingham Daily Mail. 21 September 1908. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ^ Murray, Scott (8 February 2018). "The Joy of Six: Aston Villa v Birmingham City memories". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  34. ^ Sharpe, J.G.A. (25 September 1908). "Football League topics". Lichfield Mercury. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ^ "Heavy defeat. Birmingham give a poor display at Clapton. Dorrington's two slips". Birmingham Gazette and Express. 22 November 1909. p. 7.
  36. ^ Brum (27 November 1909). "League prospects. Old-time rivals to meet at Deepdale. Birmingham's experiments". Birmingham Gazette and Express. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ^ a b Matthews (1995), p. 156.
  38. ^ Matthews (1995), pp. 74, 156–157.
  39. ^ "Football. Birmingham Association v. London Association". Birmingham Daily Post. 4 October 1910. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  40. ^ "A rough game. Wanderers' lucky victory at St. Andrew's. Home team's disasters". Birmingham Gazette and Express. 7 November 1910. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  41. ^ "Birmingham's injured players". Birmingham Daily Mail. 8 November 1910. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  42. ^ a b Matthews (1995), p. 157.
  43. ^ "Birmingham's invalids. Dorrington's narrow escape". Birmingham Daily Mail. 24 January 1911. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  44. ^ "This day's football". Birmingham Daily Mail. 8 February 1911. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  45. ^ "Sporting items". Birmingham Daily Mail. 27 February 1911. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  46. ^ "Birmingham and District League. Birmingham Res. v. Wednesbury Old Athletic". Birmingham Daily Mail. 3 April 1911. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com. Included in the home team was Dorrington, who was making his first appearance since he was injured in the Cup-tie at Oldham.
  47. ^ "A good finish. Birmingham beat Bolton Wanderers". Birmingham Gazette and Express. 1 May 1911. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  48. ^ "Dorrington's mistake. Birmingham beaten by the odd goal". Birmingham Gazette and Express. 4 September 1911. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  49. ^ Old Blue (2 December 1911). "Point for "Blues". Visitors' keen game against Burnley. Dorrington in fine form". Sports Argus. Birmingham. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
  50. ^ a b Matthews (1995), p. 158.
  51. ^ Fieldmouse (3 February 1912). "Bham League notes". Sports Argus. Birmingham. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  52. ^ "Other Birmingham League matches". Walsall Observer. 26 October 1912. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  53. ^ Argus Junior (30 November 1912). "The passing hour". Sports Argus. Birmingham. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  54. ^ "Birmingham Reserves". Football Club History Database. Richard Rundle. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  55. ^ "Birmingham League. Birmingham v. Coventry City". Evening Despatch. Birmingham. 12 October 1912. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  56. ^ Argus Junior (28 June 1913). "Football notes and notions". Sports Argus. Birmingham. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  57. ^ Argus Junior (30 August 1913). "District notes". Sports Argus. Birmingham. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  58. ^ "Notes from the districts". Sports Argus. Birmingham. 20 September 1913. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  59. ^ "Plausible "widow" sentenced for obtaining money by fraud". Birmingham Gazette. 8 October 1921. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  60. ^ Nimrod (12 November 1924). "Our sports diary. Comments on topics of the day. A great custodian". Birmingham Gazette. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  61. ^ "Old professionals to play in interesting game at Smethwick". Birmingham Gazette. 16 February 1921. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
  62. ^ "Not too old at —? Vivacious "veterans" help the cripples". Birmingham Gazette. 29 April 1922. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
  63. ^ "Sporting items". Birmingham Gazette. 16 May 1925. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  64. ^ Jingle (4 March 1939). "Short passes". Sports Argus. Birmingham. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
  65. ^ Matthews (1995), p. 148.
  66. ^ Matthews (1995), p. 151.
  67. ^ Matthews (1995), p. 152.
  68. ^ Matthews (1995), p. 153.
  69. ^ Matthews (1995), p. 154.
  70. ^ Matthews (1995), p. 159.
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