Broadhurst Fred Image 1 Stalybridge Celtic 1922

Description

Hindley, Lancashire born right back Fred Broadhurst began his football career with Hindley Central as a youth before joining First Division club Preston North End in April 1910, making his Football League debut against Tottenham Hotspur in February 1911. Initially a fringe player for The Lambs, he returned to Hindley Central on loan in March 1913 but he established himself in the first team from October 1913 and didn’t miss many games until peacetime football was suspended due to the onset of the First World War in May 1915. This was not before Preston had suffered relegation in 1914 but had won promotion back to the top flight at the first attempt, finishing Second Division runners up.

Upon the recommencement of League football in 1919-20, Broadhurst was awarded £400 by Preston for completing ten seasons with the club, and he was a regular during 1919-20 before spending the final two seasons of his Deepdale career on the fringes, playing only twice during Preston’s 1921-22 campaign as they reached the FA Cup Final. After 3 goals, all penalties, in 115 appearances for The Lambs, Broadhurst joined Stalybridge Celtic in June 1922 and played 41 matches during their 1922-23 campaign, but when Stalybridge resigned from the League in 1923 despite finishing mid-table, Broadhurst joined Second Division club Stockport County in May 1923, where he played just 4 matches during their 1923-24 campaign.

Broadhurst stepped back down to the Third Division (North) with Barrow in June 1924 and missed only 3 matches in their 1924-25 season, playing 48 times for Barrow including 9 FA Cup ties. Broadhurst then joined Nelson in July 1925 and made his debut for the club on 29th August 1925 in the 2-1 win against Crewe Alexandra at Seedhill. He retained his place in the starting eleven for some time, playing in 36 League matches before being replaced by Walter Chadwick for the 3-0 defeat to Grimsby Town on 17th April 1926. Throughout the 1926-27 campaign, Broadhurst shared right back duties with Clement Rigg and James Pearson. His final appearance of 63 for Nelson came on 7th May 1927, in the 2-0 defeat at home to Tranmere Rovers. He left the club at the end of the season and, at the age of 38, moved into non-league football with Lancashire Combination club Chorley, his final club before his eventual retirement.