Linfoot Fred Image 1 Chelsea 1923

Description

Whitley Bay, Northumberland born outside right Fred Linfoot began his football career with Smith’s Dockand then played for Newcastle Swifts during the First World War. He was given the opportunity to appear as a wartime guest for Leeds City in the 1918-19 season, making his debut in a goalless draw at home to Hull City on 14th December 1918. He played the following week in the return, a 2-1 defeat, but was then out of the reckoning until March, when he was asked to play centre-half against Huddersfield Town. It was a problem position for Leeds and he did well enough in a 3-0 defeat, playing three further matches in the half-back line.

Linfoot was taken on full time by City for the 1919-20 season but had not yet played an official game for The Peacocks when he was part of the infamous auction of players in October 1919 following the disbandment of the club due to financial irregularities. He was bought by Second Division club Lincoln City for £250, promptly making his Football League debut against Clapton Orient towards the month end, going on to score three goals in 30 appearances for The Imps.

Described as “of considerable ability, with a good turn of speed”, Linfoot was sold to First Division Chelsea in July 1920, where he remained nearly four seasons but found his opportunities at Stamford Bridge limited by the form of first choice winger Bob McNeill, until he was transferred to Fulham in March 1924 after a single goal in 41 appearances for The Pensioners. He managed four goals in 41 matches for Fulham over the next couple of years and then moved back to the north east with non league Blyth Spartans in 1926. The rest of his career was played out in non league football with spells at Shiremoor Albion in 1927, Columbia of Earlsfield in 1928, Dorman Long of Westminster in 1929 and finally North Eastern League club Ashington in 1930, his last known club before his eventual retirement.