Fred Turner (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Frederick Arthur Turner (28 February 1930 – 9 July 1955) was an English footballer who played at right back
for Southampton
in the 1950s, before his death from leukemia
.
, the son of Mr. W. Turner, a Southampton Football Club director. After playing local league football, he joined the "Saints" as an amateur in July 1948, signing professional papers in February 1950. Although he played regularly for the reserve team, including in the semi-final of the Combination Cup in 1950, he was unable to get into the first-team, with Alex Anderson
taking the right-back position whenever England
international Bill Ellerington
was unavailable.
In 1951, he was called up to do his National Service
in Devon
. During his period in the Army, he was signed to Torquay United
, but only made one appearance before he was demobbed
, returning to Southampton in March 1953.
On his return to The Dell, Turner played regularly in the reserves, scoring the occasional goal, and developed into an outstanding full-back. He eventually broke into the first team when he made two appearances in late 1953, replacing Ellerington, before Jack Gregory
moved across from the left.
In the following season, Turner's form in the reserves enabled manager George Roughton to move Len Wilkins
to centre half, with Turner coming in at right back. After a run of seventeen games, in which his "quiet, thoughtful play" enabled him to establish himself in the side, illness forced him to quit playing in February 1955.
The illness was soon diagnosed as leukemia
and Turner died in August 1955, aged 25.
Right Back
-Guest Artists:This album features many additional artists, including:* Barrington Levy, performing on "Righteous Dub" & "Saw Red"* H.R., performing on "New Sun"* Dangr, performing on "Kick Down"* Tippa Irie, performing on "Sensi"...
for Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
in the 1950s, before his death from leukemia
Leukemia
Leukemia or leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called "blasts". Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases...
.
Career
Turner was born in SouthamptonSouthampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
, the son of Mr. W. Turner, a Southampton Football Club director. After playing local league football, he joined the "Saints" as an amateur in July 1948, signing professional papers in February 1950. Although he played regularly for the reserve team, including in the semi-final of the Combination Cup in 1950, he was unable to get into the first-team, with Alex Anderson
Alex Anderson (footballer)
Alex Anderson was a Scottish footballer who played as a full-back. Anderson began his career in the mid 1940s with St Johnstone, spending a year with the Perth side before moving back to Tayside with Forfar Athletic...
taking the right-back position whenever England
England 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 Bill Ellerington
Bill Ellerington
William "Bill" Ellerington is a former footballer who was capped twice for the full England national team and once for England B, and spent his entire professional club career at Southampton F.C....
was unavailable.
In 1951, he was called up to do his National Service
National service
National service is a common name for mandatory government service programmes . The term became common British usage during and for some years following the Second World War. Many young people spent one or more years in such programmes...
in Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
. During his period in the Army, he was signed to Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
, but only made one appearance before he was demobbed
Demobilization
Demobilization is the process of standing down a nation's armed forces from combat-ready status. This may be as a result of victory in war, or because a crisis has been peacefully resolved and military force will not be necessary...
, returning to Southampton in March 1953.
On his return to The Dell, Turner played regularly in the reserves, scoring the occasional goal, and developed into an outstanding full-back. He eventually broke into the first team when he made two appearances in late 1953, replacing Ellerington, before Jack Gregory
Jack Gregory (footballer)
John Leslie "Jack" Gregory was an English professional footballer who played as a full back for Southampton and Leyton Orient during the 1940s and 1950s.-Southampton:...
moved across from the left.
In the following season, Turner's form in the reserves enabled manager George Roughton to move Len Wilkins
Len Wilkins
Leonard Wilkins was a professional footballer who played his entire career for Southampton from 1945 to 1958.-External links:**...
to centre half, with Turner coming in at right back. After a run of seventeen games, in which his "quiet, thoughtful play" enabled him to establish himself in the side, illness forced him to quit playing in February 1955.
The illness was soon diagnosed as leukemia
Leukemia
Leukemia or leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called "blasts". Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases...
and Turner died in August 1955, aged 25.