Archer Frederick Image 1 Walsall 1922

Description

Aston on Trent, Derbyshire born inside forward Frederick Archer began his senior football career after the First World War with Second Division Rotherham County, scoring the only goal of the game on his Football League debut against Stockport County in September 1919. He featured in a 1-0 home defeat to West Ham United five days later, but never made Rotherham’s first eleven thereafter. He signed for Aston Villa in 1920 and spent 1920-21 on their books without making a first team appearance before joining near neighbours Walsall in the summer of 1921.

He started 1922-23 in Walsall’s first eleven but after a dozen games he lost his place at the end of November and only featured once more that season. He remained on the fringes the following campaign, but had a run of 11 games between March and May 1924, scoring 7 times, and this was sufficient to persuade Sheffield United to sign him after 10 goals in 29 appearances for The Saddlers. However he failed to make The Blades’ first team and didn’t play professionally thereafter.

NB it’s not certain whose shirt Archer wears in the photograph, it’s possible it’s taken while he was at Rotherham County. It certainly doesn’t appear to be a Walsall shirt despite the photograph being published while he was a Walsall player.