Soar Albert Image 2 Fulham 1905

Heanor, Derbyshire born right winger Albert Soar began his football career with Heanor St Mary’s in 1896 and played for Langley Mill Rovers before joining Heanor Town in 1897. During 1897-98 he was on Nottingham Forest’s books without appearing for their first eleven, returning to non league football with Alfreton Town in 1898 and Newark Town in 1899. He joined First Division Derby County for £150 in January 1903 and made his Football League debut at Notts County in a 2-1 defeat days later, but he played only once more for Derby’s first team, in a 3-1 defeat at Liverpool in March, before joining Southern League Fulham in May 1903.

At Craven Cottage he was part of Fulham’s 1905-06 Southern League Championship winning team, scoring 6 times in 58 appearances for The Cottagers before joining Watford in May 1906, where he succeeded George Badenoch in their line up. However he injured his cartilage in 1907 and despite an operation he was forced into retirement in March 1908 aged only 26, having scored 4 goals in 35 appearances for The Hornets. The Football Association subsequently granted his application via the Nottinghamshire FA to be reinstated as an amateur in 1909.