Fazackerley Stan Image 8 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1924

Description

Ashton-on-Ribble, Lancashire born inside right Stan Fazackerley started his football career with Lane Ends United in 1908 and was on the books of his hometown club, Preston North End during 1909-10, but never made their first eleven. So he joined Charlestown in Boston, in The United States later in 1910 before returning to sign for Accrington Stanley in 1911. He transferred to Second Division Hull City for £50 in 1912, making his Football League debut against Clapton Orient in April 1912 and made 32 appearances, scoring 20 goals, all scored during 1912-13 when he was the club’s top scorer, and after a hat-trick in a 5-0 win against Grimsby Town in March 1913 Sheffield United paid £1,000 for his services the same week.

He was known as a clever skilful player with a powerful and accurate shot and became a mainstay of The Blades’ team playing a large part in the club’s success in the FA Cup in 1914 (when they got to the FA Cup semi final, losing in a replay to eventual winners Burnley at Goodison Park) and 1915, when they went one further. He played a major part in the 1915 “Khaki Cup” Final with The Blades as they beat Chelsea 3-0. Fazackerley scored the second United goal by heading in a shot from Wally Masterman that had rebounded from the bar ensuring that he picked up a winner’s medal.

He remained with United throughout the First World War, when he joined The Royal Field Artillery, guesting for Preston North End, causing friction as he didn’t have permission, and then with permission he appeared for Blackpool and Chelsea while on active service. His brother James was killed at The Battle of Cambrai in November 1917 while fighting with The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.

Back at Sheffield United in 1919, he completed 119 appearances, scoring 48 goals. In April 1920 he was a non playing reserve for England’s 5-4 victory over Scotland at Hillsborough. He was also a member of the FA’s Tour to South Africa later the same year. He joined Everton for £4,000 in November 1920 although Stan’s own part in the transfer led to an FA enquiry, and he scored 21 goals in 57 appearances for The Toffees, including a hat-trick in a 5-0 win over Chelsea in April 1921.

After two years at Goodison Park, Second Division Wolverhampton Wanderers signed him in November 1922, and while they were relegated in his first season, he returned 31 goals in 77 appearances at Molineux, winning the Division Three (North) Championship in 1924 with Fazakerley scoring 13 goals, which included a hat-trick against Accrington Stanley in a 5-1 win in September 1923. After a spell at non league Kidderminster Harriers in 1924 he returned to Football League action to finish his career with Derby County in August 1925, when he scored twice in three League appearances in the early weeks of the 1925-26 season before retiring on medical advice in April 1926.