Hoyland Walter Image 1 Mansfield Town 1932

Description

Sheffield born inside left Walter Hoyland pursued a rare career as a “stalwart” reserve, always available for an occasional outing. After joining hometown First Division club Sheffield United he made his Football League debut at Blackburn Rovers in January 1922, and made three more appearances for The Blades before the season end. Hoyland scored his first goals for The Blades, a brace in a 6-1 win over Burnley in April 1926 in his 13th match for the club, and in March 1927 he signed for Second Division club Fulham after 4 goals in 24 appearances spanning six seasons, the last 15 of those coming in his final year at Bramall Lane.

His sojourn in the reserves continued at Craven Cottage where he played in far less than the 50-0dd matches during his time, before leaving Fulham after their relegation from the Second Division in the 1928 close season after 4 goals in 23 appearances to join Midland League club Boston Town. After spells with Loughborough Corinthians in 1930 and Peterborough & Fletton United in 1931, no doubt the presence of former Sheffield United record breaking forward Harry Johnson persuaded Hoyland to return to Football League action with Mansfield Town in 1932.

Hoyland’s 9 goals in his final season of League football included a hat-trick in a thrashing of Rotherham United just after Christmas 1932. However having lost his place in February he played only twice more before the season end for The Stags before joining non league Spalding United in the 1933 close season after 26 appearances for Mansfield Town. He later played for Seymour Cobley of Spalding in 1934 before his eventual retirement.

NB the photograph was taken before the FA Cup tie between Walsall and Mansfield Town at Fellows Park on 26th November 1932. Walsall won the match 4-1.