Edward Critchley (31 December 1903 – 1996) was an English footballer. A First Division championship winner with Everton, he has been described as "the finest 'homegrown' player ever produced by Stockport County".
Career Stockport County Critchley played local football for Spring Gardens, Stockport Union Chapel, Cheadle and Witton Albion before joining Stockport County via Stalybridge Celtic in 1922. He made his debut on 9 December 1922, in a 2–0 defeat to Port Vale at the Old Recreation Ground. His second appearance came on the last day of the 1922–23 season, as the "Hatters" secured their Second Division status with a 3–0 win over Southampton at Edgeley Park. County retained their second-tier status in 1923–24 and 1924–25, before finishing at the bottom of the division in 1925–26. He was too good a player to remain in the Third Division North for long in 1926–27. He played 118 games for County before being transferred to Everton for a £2,500 fee in December 1926.
Everton In his first game for the "Toffees", he provided the crosses for Dixie Dean to score four goals in a 5–4 win against Sunderland. In his first full season at Goodison Park, 1927–28, Everton won the First Division league title. He provided many of the passes that enabled Dixie Dean's record-breaking 60 goals. However, Everton dropped to 18th in 1928–29, before being relegated in last place in 1929–30. Everton then won the Second Division championship in 1930–31, and won the First Division title again in 1931–32. They dropped to 11th in 1932–33, and Critchley missed the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City at Wembley after he had scored the winning goal in the semi-final victory over West Ham United, with Albert Geldard selected ahead of him for the final. The 1933–34 season was his last for Everton. Critchley scored 42 goals in 230 games for Everton before being transferred to Preston North End in 1934. Everton F.C.
Later career After playing in the first 11 games of the season, he lost his place in the Preston team. He was transferred to Port Vale with cash in exchange for John Friar in December 1934. However, he lost his place in the Vale team in early April 1935, and was released at the end of the season and moved on to South Liverpool.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsStockport County1922–23Second Division200000201923–24Second Division37420003941924–25Second Division25120002711925–26Second Division38310003931926–27Third Division North1621000172Total11810600012410Everton1926–27First Division15000001501927–28First Division40620004261928–29First Division25100002511929–30First Division30422003261930–31Second Division3713420041151931–32First Division37810003881932–33First Division17221102031933–34First Division1631000173Total217371251023042Preston North End1934–35First Division1110000111Port Vale1934–35Second Division1811000191Career total364491951038454
Honours Everton FA Community Shield: 1928 & 1932 Football League First Division: 1927–28 & 1931–32 Football League Second Division: 1930–31
References