Tate Joe Image 2 Aston Villa 1933

Description

Old Hill, Cradley Heath, Staffordshire born left half Joe Tate began his football career with Grainger’s Lane Primitives in 1921 and played for Round Oaks Works in 1922 and Birmingham League Cradley Heath in 1923 before joining First Division Aston Villa in April 1925, originally as an inside left. He made his Football League debut at Derby County on Boxing Day 1927, making only four appearances in his breakthrough season, but found a regular berth in the first eleven from October 1928, a season that saw Aston Villa finish third in the League Championship and also reach the FA Cup semi final, where Tate played as they lost 1-0 to Portsmouth at Highbury.

He was an ever present as Aston Villa finished League runners up in 1930-31, and his consistency was rewarded when he was selected for England’s summer tour of France and Belgium, Tate playing against both nations within three days in May 1931. He was also selected that November for the England squad that played Wales at Anfield but was a non playing reserve. He won his final England cap in November 1932 when he played in a 0-0 draw with Wales at Wrexham. He also played once for The Football League in a 4-0 win over The Irish League at Bloomfield Road, Blackpool in September 1931.

Aston Villa were again runners up in the League Championship in 1932-33 but Tate lost his place (through injury?) in February 1933 and played only once more for the club in November 1933 before joining Brierley Hill Alliance in 1935 after 4 goals in 193 appearances for The Villains.