Moger Harry Image 5 Manchester United 1908

Description

Southampton born goalkeeper Harry Moger started his career with local side Forest Swifts in 1898, before joining Southampton St. Marys’ main local rivals, Freemantle in 1899. In 1899 he was suspended for two months due to his having played amateur football for Forest Swifts whilst registered as a professional with Freemantle. He joined Southern League Southampton in the summer of 1900, but spent most of his time at Southampton as understudy to the England international goalkeeper, Jack Robinson. Tall and lean, Moger was particularly useful in high-ball situations when he could come off his goal line to punch the ball clear. Robinson’s dominance of the ‘keeper’s position restricted Moger to 14 appearances in his three years at The Dell.

In May 1903, he was sold to Second Division Manchester United who had spotted his potential when at Southampton. He made his Football League debut against Barnsley in October 1903, where he was initially understudy to John Sutcliffe, making only 13 appearances in his debut season, but he was the principal glovesman from the start of the 1904-05 season and an ever present during their 1906-07 campaign.

During his Manchester United career, he made 266 appearances, and helped United win promotion to the First Division in 1905-06 as Second Division runners-up, and then to two League Championships in 1907-08 and 1910-11. He also played as United won the FA Cup in 1909, beating Bristol City 1-0 in the Final at The Crystal Palace. He also played in the FA Charity Shield victory over Queen’s Park Rangers over two matches in 1908. However he lost his place to Hugh Edmonds in February 1911 and played only 6 matches in 1911-12 before his retirement at the end of that season.