Clifton Harry Image 2 Newcastle United 1938

Description

Marley Hill, Gateshead born inside right Harry Clifton played for Lintz Colliery in 1931 before spending the early months of 1932-33 on the books of West Bromwich Albion without making their first eleven. He played for both Annfield Plain and Scotswood later in 1932 before signing for Chesterfield in August 1933, making his first team debut against Rotherham United in February 1934 in the Third Division Cup, scoring on his Football League debut against Mansfield Town three days later. He scored 20 goals for Chesterfield in 1935-36, including a hat-trick against Barrow just before New Year. helping them to win the 1936 Third Division (North) Championship, and he also top scored for the club with 29 goals in their 1937-38 Second Division campaign, including hat-tricks against Southampton and Norwich City in the autumn of 1937.

Clifton was selected for England’s May 1938 summer tour to Germany, Switzerland and France, but was a non playing reserve for each match, and never won an England cap, although he played for England in an unofficial wartime international in 1940.

Immediately after the tour he signed for Second Division Newcastle United for £8,500 in June 1938 scoring 17 goals in 33 games during their final pre Second World War campaign, including a hat-trick against Bury in December 1938. After the War he returned to St James’ Park to play two FA Cup ties for The Toon in January 1946, before signing for First Division Grimsby Town for £2,500 in February 1946, for whom he scored 23 goals in 72 appearances before joining non league Goole Town in the summer of 1949. He later played for Sutton Town in 1951 before his eventual retirement.