Pantling Harold Image 2 Sheffield United 1923

Description

Leighton Buzzard born wing half Harold Pantling joined Watford as an amateur in 1908 turning professional in July 1911, making his Hornets debut in The Southern League at Brentford in September 1911, making 35 appearances for Watford before being transferred to Sheffield United in a joint £850 deal with Thomas Ashbridge (which valued Pantling at £500) in May 1914. He made his Football League debut in February 1915 at Bradford City making 6 first team appearances by the season end but his Blades career was interrupted by World War One, during which he played once again as a guest for Watford.

When peacetime football returned he became a regular in the Sheffield United starting eleven, scoring his only career goal against Oldham Athletic in November 1922. He was part of the Sheffield United 1923 FA Cup semi final team beaten 1-0 at Old Trafford by eventual winners Bolton Wanderers. He was awarded his only England cap at Windsor Park Belfast in a 2-1 defeat to Ireland in October 1923. Two years later he was part of the Sheffield United team that won the FA Cup against Cardiff City at Wembley. However he was renowned for rough play, his temper often got him sent-off and he had to serve serveral suspensions, he was placed on the open-to-transfer list by Sheffield United in April 1926. Rotherham United signed Pantling on 9th August 1926 after 244 Blades appearances. His single season at Rotherham proved no less dramatic and he was suspended for two months in 1927 because of his temper, making only 13 appearances before non league Heanor Town signed him in November 1927.