Kneeshaw Justin “Jack” Image 2 Cardiff City 1921

Description

Beckhill, Leeds born goalkeeper Jack Kneeshaw probably holds the record for the longest period between Football League appearances, or surely at least appears in the top half a dozen! Beginning at non league Heaton as a 19 year old, he spent 1903-04 at Bradford City without making their first team, before returning to junior football and re-joining The Second Division Bantams from Guiseley Celtic in 1907, making his Football League debut in February 1908 against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Valley Parade in a 6-2 home romp. He joined non league Colne in 1909 and then moved to Southern League Cardiff City in 1912. He was in goal for a couple of notable FA Cup victories as Cardiff saw off First Division opponents Oldham and Sunderland in January 1920 and 1921 respectively with Kneeshaw keeping clean both games. He kept goal in Cardiff’s inaugural Football League match, a 5-2 win at Stockport County in August 1920, more than 12 years since his previous Football League appearance, playing 23 times that season as Cardiff were promoted at first time of asking to the First Division, but he faced significant competition from the much younger Ben Davies and Tom Farquharson, so in their first 4 Football League seasons he only featured 35 times, and when he played his last Bluebirds match of 163 in March 1924 he was already 41 years old, before retiring.