Purdy Arthur Image 1 Tottenham Hotspur 1923

Description

Evenwood, County Durham born goalkeeper Arthur Purdy began his football career with Evenwood Juniors after the end of the First World War and played for Cockfield St Mary’s in 1921 and Coundon United in 1922, from where he was signed by First Division Tottenham Hotspur in 1923, where he spent 1923-24 and 1924-25 as understudy to the likes of Geordie Maddison, Herbert Blake and Freddy Hinton without making a first team appearance. He joined Third Division (South) club Luton Town in May 1925 and made his Football League debut against Brighton & Hove Albion that October, taking the gloves from Harry Mingay and keeping them until he was dropped in favour of Mingay at the start of April after 26 appearances for The Hatters.

Purdy joined Southend United in May 1926 where he was second fiddle to Billy Moore, and only made 2 appearances for The Shrimpers before a return to the north east in August 1927 when he joined Third Division (North) club Durham City. Although City had a poor season which eventually saw them fail to gain re-election and lose their League status, Purdy clearly impressed during his 29 matches and was signed by Second Division club Blackpool in February 1928, going straight into their first team to replace Fred Hobbs. Purdy was then himself displaced by the arrival of experienced goalkeeper Billy Mercer, but regained his place in December 1928 and held the gloves until the following April, leaving Blackpool in the summer of 1929 after 32 appearances for The Seasiders.

After joining non league Colwyn Bay in 1929, he returned to Football League action with Norwich City in June 1930, making 12 appearances for The Canaries before the year end but he stayed in the reserves at The Nest until he joined Lancashire Combination club Fleetwood in 1933, thereafter joining Evenwood Comrades in 1935 and playing for Throckley Welfare in 1939 before his eventual retirement.