Burbanks Eddie Image 3 Sunderland 1937

Description

Campsall, Yorkshire born outside left Eddie Burbanks started with Doncaster YMCA in 1932 and played for Thorne Town in 1933 and Midland League Denaby United in 1934 before joining First Division Sunderland in February 1935. Burbanks made his Football League debut for Sunderland in April 1935 scoring in a 4-1 win against Portsmouth at Roker Park, but he only played twice in his first season before becoming a regular member of the side from October 1936.

In Sunderland’s first FA Cup Final win over Preston North End at Wembley in 1937, Burbanks scored the third goal to wrap up the 3-1 victory with five minutes to go. It was said of him at the time “One of the most modest of footballers ever to receive a Cup winning medal… yet ‘deserved two medals for his splendid game’ was the Cup Final referee’s remark.” In his 158 appearances for Sunderland both sides of the Second World War, he scored 30 goals.

He joined Hull City in June 1948 and in his first season he scored 9 goals as they won the Third Division (North) Championship. He continued to play another four seasons for The Tigers in the Second Division, scoring 22 goals in 153 appearances. He joined Leeds United in July 1953 when he became (until today) the oldest player to have ever played for the club when he captained the side against Hull on 24th April 1954 at 41 years old. In 13 appearances during 1953-54 with the Elland Road club he scored once before his retirement in 1954.