White Jack Image 1 Merthyr Town 1911

Description

Droylesden, Lancashire born left back Jabez “Jack” White began his football career with Audenshaw United and played for Grays Anchor in 1898 and Swanscombe in 1899, from where he made his entry into senior football with Southern League club Grays United in 1900. He joined Queen’s Park Rangers in 1901 and remained with Rangers for seven years, culminating in the capture of the Southern League Championship in 1908. He then signed for Second Division club Leeds City in May 1908, making his Football League debut against Tottenham Hotspur that September in Spurs’ second League fixture. After his debut in the win at Tottenham, the Yorkshire Post opined: “Another of the individual successes was White at left-back, and in him there can be no doubt that Leeds City have made a decided acquisition.”

White had the most consistent of seasons, only being omitted when injured, and impressed greatly in his 35 appearances. He was not quite so outstanding in 1909-10, but was appointed captain after Jock Watson lost his place. He switched seamlessly to right back in November to accommodate George Affleck on the left flank and amassed 28 appearances in all. But he only played once more for Leeds City in a defeat to Huddersfield Town in September 1910 and he departed Elland Road for Southern League club Merthyr Town at the end of the campaign. The following season White helped the Welsh club win the Southern League Second Division Championship. In February 1914 White quit Merthyr and moved back to his roots, playing Lancashire Combination League football for Hurst. He retired at the end of the 1913-14 season.