Johnny Schofield
Encyclopedia
John 'Johnny' Reginald Schofield (8 February 1931 – 1 November 2006) was an English footballer
, playing league football for Birmingham City
and Wrexham.
Johnny Schofield signed a professional contract with Birmingham City
in February 1950, but as second choice keeper to the legendary Gil Merrick
. Schofield was one of the bravest keepers of his time, second only to the heroic Bert Trautmann
and his 1956 FA Cup performance. In November 1957, Schofield survived a pit explosion at Baddesley Colliery in Warwickshire, and a fractured skull while playing in goal against Manchester United in 1960. It was in 1960 that Schofield took over as Blues’ number 1, after Merrick moved 'upstairs' to become manager of the club. As first choice keeper, Schofield played in both the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup
finals against FC Barcelona
and AS Roma, and also in the League Cup
final of 1963, against city rivals, Aston Villa
.
With advancing age, and the signing of Scott Jim Herriot
, Schofield lost his place in the Birmingham team, and was transferred to Wrexham FC in 1966. After only two years, he moved on to become player-manager of Atherstone Town
. In later life, he also became the proprietor of a wines and spirits business in his home town of Atherstone. Johnny died on the night of 1 November 2006.
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...
, playing league football for Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
and Wrexham.
Johnny Schofield signed a professional contract with Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
in February 1950, but as second choice keeper to the legendary Gil Merrick
Gil Merrick
Gilbert Harold "Gil" Merrick , was an English footballer and football manager. Considered one of the best goalkeepers in the UK during the mid-1950s, Merrick was one in a long line of great Birmingham City keepers which included the likes of Johnny Schofield and Harry Hibbs...
. Schofield was one of the bravest keepers of his time, second only to the heroic Bert Trautmann
Bert Trautmann
Bernhard Carl "Bert" Trautmann, OBE is a German former professional footballer who played for Manchester City from 1949 to 1964. Brought up during times of inter-war strife in Germany, Trautmann joined the Luftwaffe early in the Second World War, serving as a paratrooper...
and his 1956 FA Cup performance. In November 1957, Schofield survived a pit explosion at Baddesley Colliery in Warwickshire, and a fractured skull while playing in goal against Manchester United in 1960. It was in 1960 that Schofield took over as Blues’ number 1, after Merrick moved 'upstairs' to become manager of the club. As first choice keeper, Schofield played in both the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup
Inter-Cities Fairs Cup
The Inter-Cities Fairs Cup was a European football competition played between 1955 and 1971. The competition was the idea of Swiss pools supremo Ernst Thommen, Ottorino Barassi from Italy, and the English Football Association general secretary Stanley Rous, all of whom later became senior officials...
finals against FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
and AS Roma, and also in the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
final of 1963, against city rivals, Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
.
With advancing age, and the signing of Scott Jim Herriot
Jim Herriot
James "Jim" Herriot is a former Scottish international footballer, who played as a goalkeeper for clubs in both Scotland and England.-Career:...
, Schofield lost his place in the Birmingham team, and was transferred to Wrexham FC in 1966. After only two years, he moved on to become player-manager of Atherstone Town
Atherstone Town F.C.
Atherstone Town Football Club is a football club based in Atherstone, Warwickshire, England.They were officially established in 2004 after a previous club bearing the same name folded in 1979...
. In later life, he also became the proprietor of a wines and spirits business in his home town of Atherstone. Johnny died on the night of 1 November 2006.