Frank Cresswell
Encyclopedia
Frank Cresswell was a former English
professional footballer who played as a forward. He made appearances in The Football League
for four clubs between 1926 and 1938.
international Warney Cresswell
, was with local non–league side Tyne Dock and then at Football League
side South Shields
before moving to First Division
side Sunderland
in time for the 1926–27 season
. He made 13 appearances for the Black Cats over the next three years and then spent a season playing for Second Division
side West Bromwich Albion
.
In 1930, Cresswell joined Cheshire County League
side Chester
after a spell with Connah's Quay Nomads
, one of several signings ahead of the 1930–31 season
made by new manager Charlie Hewitt
as Chester became known as the ‘Arsenal of the North’. Cresswell scored 27 goals as Chester finished runners–up to Port Vale Reserves
and were elected to The Football League
.
Cresswell had been contracted to West Brom during the season due to the transfer system in place at the time and officially joined Chester in time for their first season in The Football League
in part–exchange for the prolific Arthur Gale. Cresswell helped create Chester’s first goal in Division Three North
against Wigan Borough
and played regularly in the number 10 shirt before being transferred to Second Division
side Notts County
midway through 1933–34
for £2,500. But he returned to Sealand Road
at the start of the following season after struggling to settle at his new club.
The 1935–36
season saw Chester finish runners–up in Division Three North
, with Cresswell scoring twice in a club record 12–0 win over York City
on 1 February 1936. But the following month saw him suffer a broken kneecap in a match against Walsall
. Some fans felt this injury cost Chester the championship. He did not play for two years, with five league games in the closing stages of 1937–38
bringing to an end his playing career. This brief return to action included a goal in a 2–1 derby win over Wrexham
to take his club league tally to 57, which is Chester's ninth highest in Football League
matches.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional footballer who played as a forward. He made appearances in The Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
for four clubs between 1926 and 1938.
Playing career
Frank, the brother of EnglandEngland national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
international Warney Cresswell
Warney Cresswell
Warneford "Warney" Cresswell was an English professional footballer, who helped Everton win the Football League championship twice and the FA Cup. His ability and talents earned him the sobriquet "The Prince of Full Backs" and helped him win seven caps for England...
, was with local non–league side Tyne Dock and then at Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
side South Shields
South Shields F.C.
South Shields F.C. are a football club based in South Shields, England. They have a long and complicated history, with three distinct incarnations taking the name...
before moving to First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
side Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
in time for the 1926–27 season
1926-27 in English football
The 1926–27 season was the 52nd season of competitive football in England.-Events:This was the season in which George Camsell scored an astounding 59 goals in 37 league appearances for Middlesbrough-Honours:...
. He made 13 appearances for the Black Cats over the next three years and then spent a season playing for Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
side West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
.
In 1930, Cresswell joined Cheshire County League
Cheshire County League
The Cheshire County League was a football league founded in the north west of England in 1919, drawing its teams largely from Cheshire, surrounding English counties and North Wales....
side Chester
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
after a spell with Connah's Quay Nomads
Connah's Quay Nomads F.C.
Gap Connah's Quay F.C. is a football team, playing in the Cymru Alliance.gap Connah's Quay, formerly known as Connah's Quay Nomads FC, was the subject of a takeover from Welsh independent recruitment firm 'gap personnel' in June 2008....
, one of several signings ahead of the 1930–31 season
1930-31 in English football
The 1930–31 season was the 56th season of competitive football in England.-Events:Of note this season was Manchester United's record of the worst start in a major European league – they lost their first twelve games of the season and went on to be relegated....
made by new manager Charlie Hewitt
Charlie Hewitt (footballer)
Charlie Hewitt was a footballer and manager in the first half of the 20th century...
as Chester became known as the ‘Arsenal of the North’. Cresswell scored 27 goals as Chester finished runners–up to Port Vale Reserves
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
and were elected to The Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
.
Cresswell had been contracted to West Brom during the season due to the transfer system in place at the time and officially joined Chester in time for their first season in The Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
in part–exchange for the prolific Arthur Gale. Cresswell helped create Chester’s first goal in Division Three North
Football League Third Division North
The Third Division North of The Football League was a tier in the English association football league system from 1921 to 1958. It ran parallel to Third Division South with clubs elected to the League or relegated from a higher division allocated to one or the other according to geographical position...
against Wigan Borough
Wigan Borough F.C.
Wigan Borough Football Club was an English football club from the town of Wigan, Lancashire. It was a fourth attempt at establishing football in Wigan, their forerunners Wigan County, Wigan United and Wigan Town all having fallen into liquidation previously....
and played regularly in the number 10 shirt before being transferred to Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
side Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
midway through 1933–34
1933-34 in English football
The 1933–34 season was the 59th season of competitive football in England.-Honours:Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour...
for £2,500. But he returned to Sealand Road
Sealand Road
Sealand Road was the home stadium of Chester City Football Club from 1906 until 1990. Although officially known simply as The Stadium, it was more commonly referred to as Sealand Road...
at the start of the following season after struggling to settle at his new club.
The 1935–36
1935-36 in English football
The 1935–36 season was the 61st season of competitive football in England.-Events:Sunderland AFC won the league, and in doing so they remain the last team to win the English League while wearing striped jerseys...
season saw Chester finish runners–up in Division Three North
Football League Third Division North
The Third Division North of The Football League was a tier in the English association football league system from 1921 to 1958. It ran parallel to Third Division South with clubs elected to the League or relegated from a higher division allocated to one or the other according to geographical position...
, with Cresswell scoring twice in a club record 12–0 win over York City
York City F.C.
York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions...
on 1 February 1936. But the following month saw him suffer a broken kneecap in a match against Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
. Some fans felt this injury cost Chester the championship. He did not play for two years, with five league games in the closing stages of 1937–38
1937-38 in English football
The 1937–38 season was the 63rd season of competitive football in England.-Overview:This season is notable as the reigning champions Manchester City became the only team to have won the League title one season then been relegated the next.-Honours:...
bringing to an end his playing career. This brief return to action included a goal in a 2–1 derby win over Wrexham
Wrexham A.F.C.
Wrexham Football Club are a professional football team based in Wrexham, north-east Wales, who play in the English football pyramid.Founded in 1872, they are one of the oldest surviving football clubs in Britain and the oldest professional club in Wales...
to take his club league tally to 57, which is Chester's ninth highest in Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
matches.