Ford Harry Image 1 Chelsea 1913

Description

Fulham, London born right winger Harry Ford began his football career with Fulham Amateurs in 1910, playing for Tunbridge Wells Rangers in 1911, from whom he joined First Division Chelsea for a fee of £50 plus a further £50 if he played 10 first team matches in April 1912, having impressed in a match against Chelsea Reserves. He made his Football League debut at Bolton Wanderers in September 1912 and soon established himself as a fixture in the Chelsea line up, and scored a hat-trick in a 5-2 win over Notts County in April 1913. He was a near ever present missing one match during their 1913-14 campaign and scored twice in 8 FA cup ties in their run to the 1915 FA Cup Final, the so called “Khaki Cup Final”, when Sheffield United beat Chelsea 3-0 at Old Trafford, the last FA Cup Final before The First World War forced the suspension of peacetime football.

A pacy winger blessed with good control, Ford he served with the Royal Flying Corps/Royal Air Force during the War, and played football for The Royal Flying Corps’ team. He also played in the 1920 FA Cup semi final when Chelsea were beaten by Aston Villa at Bramall Lane. He managed a career best 10 goals in their 1922-23 campaign but lost his place the following season, as Chelsea were relegated. His final game came on 10th November 1923, ironically against the side he had made his Chelsea debut against, Bolton Wanderers, Ford having scored 46 goals in 247 games for The Pensioners.