Wilkinson Reg Image 2 Sunderland 1923

Description

Norwich, Norfolk born right half Reg Wilkinson began his football career with CEYMS of Norwich in 1915, but after the First World War he joined Southern League club Norwich City and when they joined the Third Division (South) in 1920 he made his Football League debut in their inaugural League fixture at Plymouth Argyle missing only 3 games in the campaign. In 1922-23 he missed only 2 matches, and, having taken over penalty taking duties, scored 9 times in the campaign, four from the spot, and his form attracted First Division club Sunderland, who signed him in the summer of 1923 after 107 appearances for The Canaries.

He was a fringe player at Roker Park and made only two first team appearances for Sunderland in August 1923 before losing his place, and he joined Third Division (South) club Brighton & Hove Albion in 1924. Over the next ten seasons he developed into a considerable stalwart for Brighton, being ever present in 1927-28 and missing very few matches in all but his first season, featuring in five top five finishes during those ten seasons as Brighton unsuccessfully pressed for promotion to the Second Division. By the time he had joined non league Frost’s Athletic in 1934 he had scored 16 goals (12 from the penalty spot) in 396 appearances for The Seagulls. He went on to play for Norwich Electricity Works in 1935 before his eventual retirement.