Marshall Bobby Image 1 Sunderland 1923

Description

Hucknall, Nottinghamshire born inside forward Bobby Marshall started his career with local junior club Hucknall Olympic in 1919 before being transferred to First Division Sunderland on 1920, making his Football League debut at Bradford City in October the same year, scoring in a 2-2 draw. He played as an inside forward for the majority of his career, and was known for his control and goalscoring ability. In both the 1924-25 and 1926-27 seasons he scored nineteen goals, including two hat tricks in consecutive away matches at Arsenal and Bolton Wanderers in April 1927. During Marshall’s time at Sunderland the club finished third in the First Division three times, and runners up in 1922-23.

On 1st March 1928 he transferred to Second Division Manchester City after 74 goals in 274 appearances. With Marshall in the side contributing 7 goals in the run in, Manchester City lost just two of their remaining fourteen matches, and were promoted as Second Division Champions. In the 1930’s Marshall featured in two consecutive FA Cup Finals, a defeat to Everton in 1933 and a victory over Portsmouth in 1934. in the latter part of his career Marshall changed position, becoming a centre half from 1934, but still remaining a first choice in the new role. While playing in this defensive role he won a League Championship medal, as part of the Manchester City team which won the title in 1936-37. Marshall made his final appearance for the club one year later, near the end of a season which had shown a marked downturn in fortunes for the club, and they were relegated despite winning the Charity Shield in a match in which Marshall featured. In 11 years at City he scored 80 goals in 356 appearances.

In March 1939, 11 months after his final Manchester City appearance, Marshall joined Stockport County. Initially signed as a player, he became the club manager shortly after arriving, and held the position for a decade, until in February 1949 he accepted the opportunity to manage Chesterfield. He stayed at Saltergate until July 1952 before leaving professional football.

The photograph was taken on 25th August 1923 at the home match with West Ham United, which ended 0-0.