Albert Sturgess (21 October 1882 – 16 July 1957) was an English footballer who played in the Football League for Norwich City, Sheffield United and Stoke, and the England national team.
Early and personal life Albert Sturgess was born on 21 October 1882 in Basford Hollow, Etruria, Staffordshire. The eldest of five children to Thomas and Martha Jane, his father was a potter's printer. He worked in the pottery industry and joined the North Staffordshire Regiment in April 1891. He married Amelia Harrison in 1902 and went on to have three children: Albert, Cyril Richmond and Amelia Lily. After retiring from football, he worked as a steel roller and later opened a china shop in Ecclesall Road, Sheffield.Clarebrough, Denis. Down Memory Lane, Sheffield United Match Day Programme, 14 December 1985. He died on 16 July 1957, aged 74.
Club career Sturgess started his career with amateur side Tunstall Cresswells before joining Stoke in 1902. He broke into the first team in 1905–06 thanks to the departure of James Bradley to Liverpool. Stoke, who had survived several relegation battles in the early 1900s, were relegated in 1906–07 and financial difficulties led to the club falling out of the Football League in 1907–08. To raise funds, Sturgess was sold to Sheffield United in 1908.
Arriving at Sheffield United alongside George Gallimore, for the maximum transfer fee at the time of £350, Sturgess played primarily at wing-half or half-back, forging a formidable partnership with George Utley and Bill Brelsford. He made his début for the Blades in a Division One match at Bury on 1 September 1908, replacing Ernest Needham at left-half.
Part of the victorious Sheffield United FA Cup winning team of 1915, when United beat Chelsea 3–1 at Old Trafford, on 24 April 1915, he went on to make 353 league appearances for the Blades, scoring five goals, between 1908 and 1922.
After the First World War, he played mainly as a full-back but was utilised in most positions in the team. In 1923, he joined Norwich City where he made 47 appearances, helping them to what was then their best-ever league finish, 11th in Division Three South. He retired from football in 1925, aged 42.
Playing style
Sturgess, although not as naturally gifted as some of his contemporaries, was noted for his determination and willingness to graft; he was a tall, wiry defender, nicknamed hairpin because of his build. He was renowned for his skill in tackling and long, accurate kicking, and was almost ever-present in the Sheffield United team until his late thirties.
International career While with Sheffield United, Sturgess won 2 England caps – versus Northern Ireland at the Baseball Ground on 11 February 1911, and versus Scotland at Hampden Park on 14 April 1914.
Career statistics Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsStoke1902–03First Division1000101903–04First Division3000301904–05First Division9000901905–06First Division370213911906–07First Division372304021907–08Second Division37160431Total12431111354Sheffield United1908–09First Division290103001909–10First Division381103911910–11First Division320103301911–12First Division323103331912–13First Division290002901913–14First Division280703501914–15First Division361704311919–20First Division420204401920–21First Division310003101921–22First Division360103701922–23First Division20010210Total35352203755Norwich City1923–24Third Division South320303501924–25Third Division South15020170Total47050520Career total52483815629
International Source:
National teamYearAppsGoalsEngland191110191410Total20
Honours Sheffield United FA Cup: 1914–15
England British Home Championship: 1910–11
References Specific
General Clarebrough, Denis (1989). Sheffield United F.C., The First 100 years. Sheffield United Football Club. . Young, Percy A. (1962). Football in Sheffield. Stanley Paul & Co. Ltd .
External links