Medhurst Harry Image 1 West Ham United 1939

Description

Byfleet, Surrey born goalkeeper Harry Medhurst began his football career with Woking, from where he signed for Second Division club West Ham United in November 1936, making his Football League debut against Fulham in December 1938, taking over the gloves from Herman Conway for the remainder of the season. Medhurst’s career was then severely interrupted by the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939, by when he had played 29 matches for The Hammers, during which he served in the British Army as a sergeant and guested for Sheffield Wednesday.

On the resumption of peacetime football Medhurst returned to Upton Park but played only 7 more matches for West Ham United before he signed for Chelsea in exchange for Joe Payne in January 1947. He spent five seasons as Chelsea’s principal glovesman before losing his place in April 1951 and the next season he played just once in place of Bill Robertson before signing for Third Division (South) club Brighton & Hove Albion in November 1952 after 157 matches for The Pensioners. He then made 14 appearances for The Seagulls before retiring at the end of the season.He then returned to Stamford Bridge as assistant trainer, physiotherapist and trainer until his retirement in 1975. He was awarded a testimonial match which was played in March 1976 between Chelsea and West Ham United.

NB Medhurst catches the ball most likely in one of the four matches he played for West Ham against Tottenham Hotspur (3 FA Cup ties and a League match) between January and March 1939.