Wikipedia

Jack Haycox

Jack Haycox (7 May 1910 – 21 July 1962) was an English footballer who scored 47 goals from 97 matches in the Football League playing for Newport County, Bristol City, Torquay United and Northampton Town. Primarily a centre forward, he also played non-league football for All Saints' Old Boys, Evesham Town, Cheltenham Town and Peterborough United.[1][5]

Jack Haycox
Personal information
Full name Jack Haycox[a]
Date of birth (1910-05-07)7 May 1910[6]
Place of birth Cheltenham, England
Date of death 21 July 1962(1962-07-21) (aged 52)[7]
Place of death Eye, Cambridgeshire, England
Height 5 ft 11+1⁄2 in (1.82 m)[8]
Position(s) Centre forward
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
All Saints' Old Boys
1932 Evesham Town
1932–1933 Cheltenham Town (8)
1933 All Saints' Old Boys
1934–1936 Newport County 13 (4)
1934 Cheltenham Town
1936–1937 Bristol City 43 (25)
1937–1938 Torquay United 24 (12)
1938–1939 Northampton Town 17 (6)
1939–194? Peterborough United
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Personal life edit

Haycox was born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, in 1910,[1] the twelfth child of Charles Haycox, a gardener, and his wife Phoebe, a monthly nurse.[9] He attended Cheltenham Grammar School, which he represented at both football and cricket.[10] He continued to play club cricket in the Cheltenham area for Templars[11] and Marle Hill,[12] and in 1947, appeared twice for Cambridgeshire in the Minor Counties Championship.[7]

Haycox married Elsie Rimes at Fletton Church, Peterborough, in 1937.[12] The couple settled in the Peterborough area; at the time of the 1939 Register, they were living with Elsie's parents in Old Fletton and Haycox was working as a packer for an engineering firm.[6][13] Elsie died in 1944,[14] and two years later, Haycox remarried, to Joan Burton.[15] He died in Eye, near Peterborough, in 1962 at the age of 52.[7]

Amateur football career edit

Haycox began his football career with the Cheltenham-based junior club All Saints' Old Boys, and soon earned a reputation as a goalscorer. Against Naunton Park in February 1932, he scored six goals, the last of which was his fiftieth of the season.[16] and despite missing a penalty, he scored to help All Saints' beat Woodchester 2–1 in the final of that year's Gloucestershire Northern Junior Cup.[17] He signed amateur forms with Evesham Town in February 1932 and played for them in the Birmingham Combination,[18] and in September, signed for another Birmingham Combination club, Cheltenham Town.[19]

He continued to play for All Saints' until mid-April 1933, when he made a reportedly unexpected first-team debut for Cheltenham in a 3–2 win at home to Atherstone Town: he scored Cheltenham's second goal, which was also the team's 100th goal of the season.[20] After he impressed in the next home game, Cheltenham's directors selected Haycox for the away match against Birmingham "A" (the third eleven of the Football League club). It was not a straightforward decision: Haycox suffered with travel sickness to the extent that, when playing away with All Saints', he had sometimes been unable to take the field until the second half. The club allowed him to travel to Birmingham by car in the hope it would ease the problem,[21] and he performed well enough to keep his place, scored four in an eleven–nil defeat of Bournville Athletic,[22] and finished the season with eight goals from rather fewer matches.[23]

Again, Haycox returned to All Saints, and continued to score freely in the 1933–34 season, with 41 goals by the end of November.[24] Invited for a trial by Football League Third Division South club Newport County, he scored the third goal and was instrumental in another as Newport's reserves beat Merthyr Town 4–0 in the Southern League.[25] After he followed up with three goals against Ebbw Vale in a Welsh League fixture, Haycox signed for Newport, but chose to retain his amateur status rather than turning professional. He made his Football League debut against Aldershot on 20 January 1934,[26] and on his second appearance, against Swindon Town in the Third Division South Cup, Haycox scored twice and set up three goals for other players. According to the News Chronicle, the "powerfully-built lad from Cheltenham displayed wiles beyond his years, and allied to this were real snappiness and speed and quick shooting."[27] Haycox returned to Cheltenham Town in mid-March,[28] and scored 15 goals from 18 matches in what remained of the season.[29]

Professional football career edit

In June 1934, he signed for Newport County as a professional.[29] Illness and injury delayed his introduction to the league team until mid-October,[30] and he spent a lengthy period in the reserves, returning to the first eleven to score in a 2–1 win against Queens Park Rangers in April 1935.[31] Haycox was retained for the 1935–36 season, but knee cartilage trouble requiring surgery kept him out of consideration until the new year. It was reported that his absence had disappointed "two prominent clubs, one from the First Division", who had been interested in watching him.[32] He made no more first-team appearances for Newport,[5] but scored 22 goals for the reserves by the end of the season.[8]

In May 1936, Haycox signed for another Third Division South club, Bristol City.[8] He made his first-team debut in the final of the Gloucestershire Senior Cup against Bristol Rovers, in which he scored the only goal.[33] He did well in the reserves, including in an experimental spell at outside right rather than his customary centre-forward position,[34] but was unable to force himself into the league team until January 1937, when several players were out with influenza. He scored City's third goal in a 4–1 win against Bristol Rovers on 2 January,[35] added two goals in the next match, against Torquay United,[36] and scored yet again in a 2–2 draw with Watford a few days later, when he "gave another encouraging display as leader of the attack, infusing plenty of dash into his play, and shooting at every opportunity. Frequently he caught the opposition unawares wandering out of position".[37] He continued in similar vein: by mid-March, he had twelve goals from ten matches, and had failed to score in only one of those ten.[38]

Despite interest from Liverpool, which perhaps prompted his delay in re-signing for City,[39] he stayed with the club, and scored their first goal of the new season, in a 3–1 win against Gillingham.[40] Away to Notts County, Haycox was deprived of a goal when his shot was deemed to have entered the goal moments after the referee whistled for time. Former England international player turned journalist Charles Buchan opined that "no referee can judge the 90 minutes to a fraction of a second" so "it would be fairer all round if the game went on until the ball became dead."[41] At the start of 1938, he lost his place to youngster Alfie Rowles,[42] and on 16 February, he signed for Torquay United. He had scored 31 goals in 49 matches in first-team competition, 25 from 43 in the league.[43]

Haycox scored on his Torquay debut,[44] and played regularly for what remained of the season. He was retained for the 1938–39 season,[45] and in September scored a hat-trick against his former club Bristol City.[46] By mid-October, he was the leading scorer in the Third Division South with ten goals.[47] In November, he signed for Northampton Town; as part of the deal, another forward, Ralph Allen, moved in the other direction, and it was later reported that Northampton also paid a fee of £750.[48][49] After injury disrupted the start of his Northampton career, Haycox opened his scoring account with a hat-trick against Torquay United on 24 December,[50] but as the season wore on a combination of loss of form and manager Warney Cresswell's decision to bring young players through to the first team meant that by April he was playing in the reserves and listed for transfer at £250.[51]

He returned to non-league football with Peterborough United of the Midland League in August 1939.[49] He scored five goals in the three matches played before the Midland League proper was abandoned on the outbreak of the Second World War, and added another fifteen from eleven appearances in the emergency competition.[2]

Career statistics edit

Source:[5]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup Third Division
South Cup 		Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Newport County 1933–34 Third Division South 2 1 — 2 2 4 3
1934–35 Third Division South 11 3 0 0 0 0 11 3
1935–36 Third Division South 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 13 4 0 0 2 2 15 6
Bristol City 1936–37 Third Division South 24 17 0 0 0 0 24 17
1937–38 Third Division South 19 8 3 2 3 2 25 12
Total 43 25 3 2 3 2 49 29
Torquay United 1937–38 Third Division South 12 2 — — 12 2
1938–39 Third Division South 12 10 — — 12 10
Total 24 12 0 0 0 0 24 12
Northampton Town 1938–39 Third Division South 17 6 1 0 1 0 19 6
Career totals 97 47 4 2 6 4 107 53

Notes edit

  1. ^ Some sources list Haycox as "John H" or "John Harold",[1][2] but BMD records confirm that his only given name was Jack.[3][4][5]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: SoccerData. p. 119. ISBN 978-1-899468-67-6.
  2. ^ a b "Jack Haycox: Matches for Peterborough". Up The Posh. Chris Wilkinson. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  3. ^ "Index entry". FreeBMD. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  4. ^ "Index entry". FreeBMD. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  5. ^ a b c d "Player search: Haycox, J (Jack)". English National Football Archive. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Jack Haycock on the 1939 Register. Rimes household".
  7. ^ a b c "Jack Haycox". CricketArchive. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  8. ^ a b c "Haycox joins Bristol City". Gloucestershire Echo. 22 May 1936. p. 8.
  9. ^ "Jack Haycox in household of Charles Haycox, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England" (Document). 1911 England and Wales census.
  10. ^ "Local Association friendlies". Gloucestershire Echo. 3 October 1925. p. 6.
    "Cricket". Gloucestershire Echo. 19 July 1926. p. 4. H.W. South, the Cheltenham G.S. captain, awarded first XI. colours to J. Haycox at the conclusion of the match. Haycox has played most consistently for the first XI. throughout the season, his batting average being:— 15 innings, 4 times not out, aggregate 261 runs, average 23.72.
  11. ^ "Templars' good year. Winners of the Cheltenham Challenge Cup". Gloucestershire Echo. 13 September 1932. p. 5. Special mention should be made of J. Haycox, who has again been the chief run-getter.
  12. ^ a b "Wedding of Mr. J. Haycox. Peterborough bride for Cheltenham footballer". Gloucestershire Echo. 1 July 1937. p. 5.
  13. ^ Corinthian (22 July 1939). "Sports gossip. Haycox still without a club". Cheltenham Chronicle. p. 8.
  14. ^ "Births, marriages and deaths". Gloucestershire Echo. 30 May 1944. p. 4.
  15. ^ "England & Wales marriages 1837–2008". Jack Haycox. Marriage quarter: 2. Marriage year: 1946. District: Bourne. County: Lincolnshire. Volume: 7A. Page: 1127.
  16. ^ "Irresistible form of All Saints. Nine goals against Naunton Park". Gloucestershire Echo. 9 February 1932. p. 5.
  17. ^ "Exciting final. All Saints' Old Boys beat Woodchester 2–1". Gloucestershire Echo. 10 May 1932. p. 5.
  18. ^ "Evesham recruit. Amateur forms signed by Jack Haycox". Gloucestershire Echo. 19 February 1932. p. 6.
  19. ^ Kaye Jay (13 August 1932). "Forty players sign on for Cheltenham A.F.C.". Cheltenham Chronicle. p. 3.
  20. ^ Kaye Jay (15 April 1933). "Town's new centre in form. Great goal by Haycox". Gloucestershire Echo. p. 6.
    "Town's century of goals. Haycox scores 100th against Atherstone". Gloucestershire Echo. 17 April 1933. p. 5.
  21. ^ Kaye Jay (21 April 1933). "Blackburn fit to play for Town against Birmingham "A". Jack Haycox to make journey". Gloucestershire Echo. p. 6.
  22. ^ "Town's biggest victory". Gloucestershire Echo. 1 May 1933. p. 6.
  23. ^ "What the figures show. Full record of the season's matches". Gloucestershire Echo. 9 May 1933. p. 5.
  24. ^ "All Saints' O.B.'s still at the top. Another big victory in the league". Gloucestershire Echo. 29 November 1933. p. 5.
  25. ^ "Trial with Newport. Jack Haycox invited to play against Merthyr". Gloucestershire Echo. 29 December 1933. p. 6. Haycox ... has been a prolific goal-getter this season for All Saints' Old Boys, and has scored more than 50 goals for them this season.
    Kaye Jay (1 January 1934). "Town wind up 1933 with orgy of goals". Gloucestershire Echo. p. 7.
  26. ^ Kaye Jay (19 January 1934). "Jack Haycox joins Newport. Playing at Aldershot in English League game to-morrow". Gloucestershire Echo. p. 8.
  27. ^ News Chronicle (London). Quoted in "Jack Haycox in the limelight". Gloucestershire Echo. 26 January 1934. p. 8.
  28. ^ "Jack Haycox to lead Cheltenham Town's attack. Reappearance next Saturday". Gloucestershire Echo. 13 March 1934. p. 6.
  29. ^ a b Kaye Jay (9 June 1934). "Haycox re-joins Newport County. Town centre-forward turns professional". Gloucestershire Echo. p. 6.
  30. ^ Olympian (12 October 1934). "Sports causerie. Haycock in first eleven". Gloucestershire Echo. p. 7.
  31. ^ Corinthian (13 April 1935). "Sports gossip. Haycock back in form". Cheltenham Chronicle. p. 8.
  32. ^ Olympian (21 January 1936). "Sports causerie. Haycox playing again for Newport". Gloucestershire Echo. p. 7.
  33. ^ Olympian (10 September 1936). "Sports causerie. Only goal". Gloucestershire Echo. p. 7.
  34. ^ Olympian (17 October 1936). "Sports causerie. J. Haycox as an outside right". Gloucestershire Echo. p. 5.
    Corinthian (2 January 1937). "Sports gossip. Two goals". Cheltenham Chronicle. p. 8.
  35. ^ "Changes in Bristol teams". Western Daily Press. Bristol. 2 January 1937. p. 4.
    "City worthy winners of Bristol 'derby'". Western Daily Press. Bristol. 4 January 1937. p. 4.
  36. ^ "Bristol City show all round improvement". Western Daily Press. Bristol. 11 January 1937. p. 4.
  37. ^ "City save point despite Morgan's injury". Western Daily Press. Bristol. 18 January 1937. p. 4.
  38. ^ Corinthian (13 March 1937). "Sports gossip. Attracting attention". Cheltenham Chronicle. p. 8.
  39. ^ Olympian (21 April 1937). "Sports causerie. Haycox may move again". Gloucestershire Echo. p. 5.
    Argus (7 May 1937). "Under the searchlight. Bristol signings". Sunderland Echo. p. 14.
  40. ^ Corinthian (4 September 1937). "Sports gossip. Haycox in form". Cheltenham Chronicle. p. 8.
  41. ^ Corinthian (9 October 1937). "Sports gossip. Shot too late". Cheltenham Chronicle. p. 8.
  42. ^ Olympian (12 February 1938). "Sports causerie. Out of luck". Cheltenham Chronicle. p. 8.
    Smith, Steve (1 February 2010). "Rowles' goals were key to Bristol City's success in February 1938". Bristol Post.
  43. ^ Olympian (17 February 1938). "Sports causerie. Haycox joins his third league club". Gloucestershire Echo. p. 7.
  44. ^ "Haycox impresses". Cheltenham Chronicle. 26 February 1938. p. 8.
  45. ^ Olympian (4 May 1938). "Sports causerie. Haycox retained". Gloucestershire Echo. p. 9.
  46. ^ "Haycox's hat-trick". Cheltenham Chronicle. 24 September 1938. p. 8.
  47. ^ Olympian (24 October 1938). "Sports causerie. Haycox's tenth goal of the season". Gloucestershire Echo. p. 5.
  48. ^ Tork (12 November 1938). "Torquay United's new leader. Good marksman. Allen secured from Northampton". Western Morning News. Plymouth. p. 14.
  49. ^ a b "Football. Peterborough centre forward". Grantham Journal. 5 August 1939. p. 7.
  50. ^ Olympian (27 December 1938). "Sports causerie. Off the mark". Gloucestershire Echo. p. 5.
  51. ^ "Goalkeeper Jones keeps Cobblers' deficit down. Poor teamwork and bad shooting costs points". Mercury & Herald. Northampton. 3 March 1939. p. 14. Bassett, too, was his usually strong self at centre-half, and consequently Haycox had few opportunities to show his skill. Occasionally, however, he did manage to elude the Cardiff pivot, but his shooting was not too well directed.
    "Reserves' shuffled side loses 6–2". Mercury & Herald. Northampton. 24 March 1939. p. 16. Haycox, who got Northampton's second goal, and Lauderdale later faded right out.
    "'Cresswell discoveries' shine in 4–1 win. Cobblers field seven men of 21 or under". Mercury & Herald. Northampton. 24 March 1939. p. 16.
    "Cobblers retained list. Thirteen players offered terms". Evening Telegraph. Northampton. 19 April 1939. p. 4.
    "No title". Mercury & Herald. Northampton. 4 August 1939. p. 7.
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