Beecham Ernie Image 5 Fulham 1929

Description

Hertford born goalkeeper Ernie Beecham began his football career with Ward End Works and played for Hertford Town in 1923 before signing for Second Division Fulham in November 1924, making his Football League debut at Blackpool in December 1925. He remained an ever present that season and for the following two seasons, indeed he holds for the club record for consecutive appearances after a debut (130) and his run was only halted by a broken neck suffered against Exeter City in November 1928. Although he returned in 1929 to miss only 5 games in 1929-30, he became understudy to Jake Iceton and played only 9 games as Fulham won the Third Division (South) Championship in 1931-32 (The Cottagers having been relegated in 1928).

Having made 187 appearances in the Fulham goal he moved to Queen’s Park Rangers in May 1932 and was an ever present for The R’s in 1932-33, before losing his place in 1934 to Bill Mason, leaving Loftus Road to join Brighton & Hove Albion in September 1935 after 95 appearances. However he couldn’t get into the Brighton first eleven and moved on to Swindon Town in November 1935, where he played 8 times before the season end before joining non league West End Works in 1936.