Louch Lionel Image 1 Portsmouth 1907

Description

Brentford, Middlesex born centre forward Lionel Louch was an amateur footballer throughout his career who began his football career with Shepherds Bush before joining Southern League club Portsmouth, where he spent the 1907-08 season. Louch made his debut for England Amateurs against Sweden on 8th September 1908, scoring in a 6-1 win. He was then part of the English amateur team that represented Great Britain at the 1908 Olympic football tournament, but he failed to play in any matches as the team won gold.

In December 1908 he joined Second Division club Clapton Orient making his Football League debut against Barnsley on Christmas Day, Louch scoring in a 1-1 draw. He remained a regular through the next season, scoring 10 goals in 38 matches for The O’s before returning to Portsmouth in 1909, also playing for Shepherds Bush the same year. He joined Southern League club Southend United in 1910, returning to Portsmouth for two seasons in 1911 before once again rejoining Southend United in 1913.

After a six year hiatus, he played another match for England Amateurs against Wales on 7th February 1914, netting four goals in a 9-1 victory, and later that month, he scored a hat-trick in a 7-0 win over Belgium. However his career was effectively ended by the onset of the First World War, during which he served with The London Regiment.