Gooney Harry Image 1 Sheffield United 1931

Description

Sheffield born wing half (he could play both sides) Harry Gooney was selected twice for England Schoolboys and captained the national side at Under-15 level as well as captaining Sheffield Boys. He started his football career with Grimsthorpe Wesleyans and then played for Norton Woodseats in 1929 and joined First Division hometown club Sheffield United in 1930, making his Football League debut at Leicester City that September. He soon established himself as a regular performer and although they suffered relegation in his fourth season in 1934 he continued to play for The Blades in the Second Division.

Gooney was appointed United’s captain in August 1934 but resigned the position in January 1935. He then moved to Plymouth Argyle in June 1935 for £300 having scored twice in 142 appearances for The Blades but after just 14 matches for The Pilgrims, Gooney was one of three players who moved from Home Park to Luton Town in February 1936, along with Will Godfrey and Frank Sloan. He made just four appearances for The Hatters and was injured in his last, coming just days before the club’s famous 12-0 win against Bristol Rovers in which Joe Payne scored ten. He left at the end of the season, after which a re-occurring injury forced him to retire from the game at the age of 25.