Elvey John Image 1 Luton Town 1919

Description

Sharpenhoe, Bedfordshire born right back John Elvey, sometimes known by his middle name Richard, had played for Luton Clarence in local junior football prior to the First World War before joining Southern League club Luton Town in 1913, his career then being interrupted as the onset of the War forced the suspension of peacetime football in May 1915. Elvey played wartime football for Millwall, and after the War returned to Kenilworth Road, playing in The Hatters’ final Southern League peacetime season of 1919-20 where his performances led to his inclusion in an FA Tour of South Africa in 1920.

First Division club Bolton Wanderers moved to sign him in the summer of 1920 and he made his Football League debut at Manchester United that August, making 3 appearances in a week before being omitted and not regaining his place in the first team until the start of the following season. He played 6 times in August and September 1921, and twice more in April 1922, before joining Arsenal for £250 in September 1922 after 11 appearances for The Trotters. However at Arsenal he only made a single League appearance against Preston North End in April 1923, and he left Highbury after a single season, his career thereafter is uncertain.