Bollington Jack Image 1 Southend United 1920

Description

Belper, Derbyshire born right or centre half Jack Bollington’s Football League career is as curious as much of his previous history is unknown. It is known that he had been playing Southern League football for Southend United since August 1919 having previously served in The Army during the First World War. By then aged 28 he started the inaugural Football League season for The Shrimpers, missing Southend’s first two games late in August 1920 but playing at Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday 4th of September as Brighton won 1-0.

He must have had a very good weekend in Brighton as by Monday 6th September he was making his Brighton & Hove Albion debut, having switched clubs, albeit a long trip to Merthyr Tydfil to play Merthyr Town with his new team mates did not go well as Merthyr prevailed 4-1! He stayed in the team till early November before losing his place, then was recalled for 5 matches in January, including 2 FA Cup ties, a total of 16 Brighton appearances, before his Football League career was brought to an end.

He suffered a broken leg during an FA Cup match against Cardiff City at The Goldstone Ground while attempting to tackle opposition forward Jimmy Gill. The injury ultimately ended his playing career, while Cardiff held a benefit match in November 1921 against Brighton to raise funds for him.

He later became a football manager in the Netherlands; he was in charge of amateur club CVV Vriendenschaar between 1923 and 1931, having previously coached De Zwaluwen. He was also in charge of the Netherlands national team for one match in 1924, leading them to a 2-1 win over South Africa.