David Fairhurst

David Liddle Fairhurst (20 July 1906 – 26 October 1972) was an English professional footballer, who played most of his career, as a left back, with Newcastle United, who he helped win the FA Cup in 1932. He also made one appearance for England in 1933.

David Fairhurst
Personal information
Full name David Liddle Fairhurst
Date of birth (1906-07-20)20 July 1906
Place of birth Blyth, Northumberland, England
Date of death 26 October 1972(1972-10-26) (aged 66)
Playing position(s) Left back
Youth career
New Delaval Villa
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
19??–1927 Blyth Spartans ? (?)
1927–1929 Walsall 56 (0)
1929–1946 Newcastle United 266 (2)
National team
1933 England 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Career

Fairhurst was born in Blyth, Northumberland and started his football career at Blyth Spartans before being signed by Jimmy Torrance[1] for Walsall in June 1927. After two seasons playing for Walsall in the Third Division South he was signed by First Division Newcastle United for a fee of £1750 in March 1929.

At Newcastle, Fairhurst was a consistent performer and gave the club over a decade of stout service. He took a while to get into the first team, and although he made his debut in a 2–1 victory at Derby County on 27 April 1929[2] his next appearance was not until December, when he displaced Scottish international Bob Thomson. From then on, Fairhurst was the first choice left-back for several seasons.

He was an ever-present in the successful FA Cup campaign in 1932, in which Newcastle defeated Arsenal in the final in rather controversial circumstances. Arsenal took an early lead, when Joe Hulme beat Fairhurst and centred the ball to Bob John who easily beat goalkeeper Albert McInroy. Newcastle's equaliser came after a long ball had appeared to go over the goal line, and out for a goal kick;[3] Newcastle winger Jimmy Richardson nevertheless crossed the ball back into play and Jack Allen levelled the match for the Magpies. The referee ruled that the ball had not gone out of play, even though photographic evidence later showed that the ball had actually crossed the line, and the goal stood. Allen scored again in the second half to win the match 2–1.

The following year, Fairhurst became an international when he won his solitary England cap in the friendly against France on 6 December 1933 at White Hart Lane which England won 4–1, with two goals from George Camsell.[4]

For Newcastle, Fairhurst was ever-present in 1932–33 and only missed two matches in the following season, which ended in Newcastle being relegated to Division Two. Fairhurst continued to be a first choice regular for the next few seasons, but the Second World War brought his career to an end, although he did not officially announce his retirement until May 1946.

In his Newcastle career, he made a total of 285 appearances, scoring twice. Both goals came in a 5–1 victory over Nottingham Forest on 30 November 1935.[5]

Career after football

Fairhurst spent a spell as a trainer with Birmingham City, before taking employment in the Tyneside shipyards and as a coal-miner.[6]

Family

Fairhurst came from a sporting family[6] and his elder brother, Billy Fairhurst, was a full-back with various teams in the 1930s including Nelson and Hartlepools United.

Honours
Newcastle United
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References
  1. Walsall F.C. past managers Archived 14 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  2. Derby County 1 – Newcastle United 2; 27 April 1929 (Match summary)
  3. "FA Cup Final 1932". FA Cup History (unofficial site). Archived from the original on 11 March 2007. Retrieved 7 June 2008.
  4. England 4 – France 1; 6 December 1933 (Match summary)
  5. Newcastle United 5 – Nottingham Forest 1; 30 November 1935 (Match summary)
  6. Graham Betts (2006). England: Player by player. Green Umbrella Publishing. p. 99. ISBN 1-905009-63-1.
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