Nuttall Harry Image 5 Bolton Wanderers 1927

Description

Bolton born wing half Harry Nuttall started his career with local junior side Bolton St Mark’s in 1914 and after the First World War he joined Fleetwood in 1919 and played for Atherton in 1920. Nuttall was signed by manager Charles Foweraker for Bolton Wanderers in December 1920 and made his Football League debut against Tottenham Hotspur in September 1921, making 10 appearances in his breakthrough season. In 1922-23 he played around half of The Trotters’ matches, including 5 FA Cup ties, as they went all the way to the 1923 FA Cup Final, the first to be held at the new Wembley Stadium, the so called “White Horse” Final held in front of many hundreds of thousands of spectators. Bolton beat West Ham United 2-0 in chaotic circumstances.

Described as “a menace to any forward and an assurance to any man behind him”, in 1924-25 he missed only one game as Bolton finished 3rd in the League Championship, and in 1926 Bolton returned to Wembley to again win the FA Cup by beating Manchester City 1-0 with a David Jack goal to give Nuttall his second Cup winner’s medal. Three years later Bolton repeated the feat, beating Portsmouth 2-0 in the Wembley showpiece, with Nuttall playing in 8 ties including the Final. Nuttall and four other players, Dick Pym, Bob Haworth, Jimmy Seddon and Billy Butler, played in all three Final triumphs.

Nuttall was first called into the England squad in October 1925 without playing and after being in 3 squads eventually made his England debut against Ireland at Windsor Park, Belfast in October 1927 playing in a 2-0 defeat but retaining his place for a match against Wales a month later, when England again lost, 2-1 to Wales at at Turf Moor. He was recalled for his third and final cap in April 1929 in a 1-0 defeat to Scotland at Hampden Park but he remained on the England fringe last acting as a reserve in October 1930 without adding to his 3 caps.

In May 1932 he left Bolton Wanderers for Rochdale after 6 goals in 326 appearances, and made 36 appearances in a single season at Spotland before joining Nelson in 1933. After retiring, Nuttall joined the Bolton Wanderers backroom staff in 1935, serving in various capacities including as assistant trainer from July 1946. He retired from all duties in 1964, having served the club for over 40 years, true loyalty.

Two older brothers were also professional footballers. Jimmy was at Manchester United before the First World War without playing for their first team, played for Bolton during the War, and played for Rochdale after the War; Tommy played for Manchester United and Everton before the War, and for Southend United after it.