Healless Harry Image 2 Blackburn Rovers 1922

Description

Blackburn, Lancashire born one club stalwart centre half Harry Healless played in Blackburn junior football prior to the First World War for Blackburn Athletic in 1912, Victoria Cross in 1913 and Blackburn Trinity in 1914 before joining hometown professional club Blackburn Rovers as an amateur during 1914-15, but his career was interrupted by the War, during which he served with The Royal Lancaster Regiment.

After the War he made his Football League debut for Blackburn Rovers at Sheffield United in October 1919, becoming a regular member of their line up by 1922. He soon became Blackburn’s Club Captain, and was first picked to play for England in October 1924 against Ireland in a 3-1 victory at Goodison Park. He also made one appearance for The Football League and played in the 1924 FA Charity Shield for The Professionals in their victory over The Amateurs.

He was part of Blackburn’s 1925 FA Cup semi final team that lost to Cardiff City at Meadow Lane, Nottingham, and went one better when he led Blackburn to their 1928 FA Cup Final triumph when they beat Huddersfield Town 3-1 at Wembley. He had just visited Wembley having been recalled for his second England cap, the catastrophic 5-1 “Wembley Wizards” thrashing by Scotland a month before – he was was among several never picked for England again.

He made his last appearance of 397 (scoring 13 goals) on 31st December 1932 against Chelsea before his retirement aged 39, having spent his entire career in the top flight. Following his retirement, he became chief scout at Blackburn Rovers, until his appointment as manager-coach to the Almelo Club in Netherlands from September 1935 until October 1937. He was later appointed as a coach at Blackburn Rovers in November 1951.