Freddie Fox
Encyclopedia
Frederick Samuel "Freddie" Fox (born Highworth
, near Swindon
, 22 November 1898, died High Wycombe
, 15 May 1968) was an English
football
goalkeeper
.
He played for several clubs, including Gillingham
(where he played over 100 Football League matches) and Brentford
during the 1920s and 1930s, and also gained one cap for England
.
As a youngster he was on the books of Swindon Town
before joining Abertillery. During the First World War he guested for Swindon Town
in wartime matches. In the 1921-22
season he joined Preston North End
and played three matches in the First Division, before joining Gillingham
in 1922 where he played three seasons in the Third Division (South)
, making over 100 appearances.
In 1925 he was selected to represent England
against France
, representing a rare case of a player being selected for England from the Third Division. There was some dispute as to which club Fox was playing for at the time of his appearance for England, with reference sources varying between Millwall and Gillingham. Fox was reputed to have signed papers for Millwall
while on the boat travelling to the game, making him a Gillingham player when selected to play, but a Millwall player when taking the field. However, upon further research, his transfer to Millwall
was logged by the Football League on 29 April 1925, nearly a month before the game took place. In the match itself, played on 21 May 1925, he had to leave the field in the 75th minute following a head injury sustained in a charge by goalscorer Jules Dewaquez
, and was prevented from completing his sole appearance for England. Following an earlier withdrawal by goalscorer Vivian Gibbins
, England finished with nine men, but managed to hang on to win the game 3-2.
He remained with Millwall for two seasons, before joining Halifax Town for the 1927-28 season. He then signed for Brentford
where he played in the Third Division South for the next three seasons, before playing out his career with Truro City
.
Highworth
Highworth is a market town in the unitary authority of Swindon in Wiltshire, England, located about north-east of Swindon town centre. At the 2001 census it had a population of 7,996...
, near Swindon
Swindon
Swindon is a large town within the borough of Swindon and ceremonial county of Wiltshire, in South West England. It is midway between Bristol, west and Reading, east. London is east...
, 22 November 1898, died High Wycombe
High Wycombe
High Wycombe , commonly known as Wycombe and formally called Chepping Wycombe or Chipping Wycombe until 1946,is a large town in Buckinghamshire, England. It is west-north-west of Charing Cross in London; this figure is engraved on the Corn Market building in the centre of the town...
, 15 May 1968) was an English
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...
football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
goalkeeper
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
.
He played for several clubs, including Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
(where he played over 100 Football League matches) and Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
during the 1920s and 1930s, and also gained one cap for 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...
.
As a youngster he was on the books of Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
before joining Abertillery. During the First World War he guested for Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
in wartime matches. In the 1921-22
1921-22 in English football
The 1921–22 season was the 47th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:The league underwent a major expansion for the second consecutive season, adding 20 teams from the Midlands and Northern England. They were placed in the new Third Division North, and the existing southern-based...
season he joined Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
and played three matches in the First Division, before joining Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
in 1922 where he played three seasons in the Third Division (South)
Football League Third Division South
The Football League Third Division South was a level of English professional football which ran in parallel to Third Division North from 1921 to 1958....
, making over 100 appearances.
In 1925 he was selected to represent 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...
against France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
, representing a rare case of a player being selected for England from the Third Division. There was some dispute as to which club Fox was playing for at the time of his appearance for England, with reference sources varying between Millwall and Gillingham. Fox was reputed to have signed papers for Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
while on the boat travelling to the game, making him a Gillingham player when selected to play, but a Millwall player when taking the field. However, upon further research, his transfer to Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
was logged by the Football League on 29 April 1925, nearly a month before the game took place. In the match itself, played on 21 May 1925, he had to leave the field in the 75th minute following a head injury sustained in a charge by goalscorer Jules Dewaquez
Jules Dewaquez
Jules Dewaquez , was a French amateur footballer, who played for both club and country on the right wing. He was extremely short and renowned for his small moustache. By profession he was a technical draughtsman, but he became one of the most successful French players during the 1920s...
, and was prevented from completing his sole appearance for England. Following an earlier withdrawal by goalscorer Vivian Gibbins
Vivian Gibbins
William Vivian Talbot Gibbins was an English amateur footballer who played as a striker....
, England finished with nine men, but managed to hang on to win the game 3-2.
He remained with Millwall for two seasons, before joining Halifax Town for the 1927-28 season. He then signed for Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
where he played in the Third Division South for the next three seasons, before playing out his career with Truro City
Truro City F.C.
Truro City F.C. are an English professional football club based in Truro, Cornwall. They currently play in the Conference South following five promotions in six seasons. They were founding members of the South Western League in 1951 and won the title five times in their history...
.