Hargreaves Josh Image 1 Blackburn Rovers 1895

Description

Blackburn, Lancashire born centre forward Josh Hargreaves began his senior football career on Blackburn Rovers’ books in 1891-92 without making a first team appearance before moving to Second Division Northwich Victoria, making his senior debut in an FA Cup tie with Macclesfield in October 1892, His Football League debut followed a week later in a 4-1 win over Crewe Alexandra, and after 3 goals in 20 appearances for Northwich, he returned to Blackburn Rovers in the 1893 close season.

He had four seasons at Ewood Park before joining Lancashire League club New Brighton Tower in 1897 but returned to Blackburn on loan in April 1898, assisting them for the last two games of the season and in their Test Match two legged defeat by Burnley. He scored 19 goals in 61 appearances over his two spells with Rovers.

When New Brighton Tower joined The Football League the next season, Hargreaves played in their inaugural League fixture, a 3-2 win over Gainsborough Trinity, and scored 13 goals in their debut campaign. He was a regular in their team for the next three seasons, scoring 29 goals in 96 appearances before New Brighton Tower lost their League status in 1901. He then joined Lancashire League club Accrington Stanley with whom he later finished his career.

NB This image is from October 1895, probably the home game with Preston North End on October 12th which Blackburn won 3-0.