Irvine Thornley, Glossop to Manchester City - Football Heroes

Irvine Thornley From Glossop began his football career with Glossop Villa FC, also playing with Glossop St. James FC, and then Glossop North End FC in 1901-02 he then went on to join Manchester City FC on 22 April 1904. As his talent blossomed, people loved his personality, he became the Captain of Manchester City and even picked up a cap for the National side. Join us as we delve into the life of another influential Glossop man.

Irvine Thornley was born 1883 in Whitfield, Glossop, Derbyshire.

After leaving school he became a butcher. He also played football for several local teams before joining Glossop in 1901. At the time Glossop was playing in the Second Division of the Football League. A centre-forward, Thornley scored 42 goals in 79 games for Glossop (now Glossop North End).

 According to the 1901 census, Irvine is a tripe dresser, the oldest of three children, now living at 13 Hadfield Place in Whitfield. His father remains a butcher.

On 7th April, 1904, Thornley was transferred to Manchester City for £800. Soon afterwards the Football Association carried out an investigation into the financial activities of the club. Tom Maley was interviewed and he admitted that he had followed what seemed like standard English practice by making additional payments to all their players. He claimed that if all First Division clubs were investigated, not four would come out "scatheless".

According to the 1911 census, Irvine is a professional footballer married to Emma. They live at 9 Slatelands Road, still in the Whitfield area of Glossop.

As a result of their investigation, the Football Association suspended Tom Maley from football for life. Seventeen players were fined and suspended until January 1907. Billy Gillespie refused to pay his fine and instead emigrated to the United States.

As Gary James pointed out in Manchester City: The Complete Record: "Basically, the entire squad that had finished as FA Cup-winners in 1904 and narrowly missed out on the Championship two years running were banned. This brought a premature end to City's first golden age."

Irvine Thornley From Glossop  In his England Strip

Journalists were aware that virtually every club in the Football League was making illegal payments to its players. Football writers based in Manchester argued that the club, being a northern side, were being made an example of, and thousands of people complained to the Football Association, but it refused to reduce the bans and fines.

Harry Newbould was appointed as the new manager in July 1906. As a result of the bans and transfers, there were only 11 players available. The first two games in the 1906-07 season resulted in to heavy defeats at the hands of Arsenal (4-1) and Everton (9-1). Manchester City finished 4th from bottom that season. Thornley ended up as the club's top scorer with 13 goals in 29 games.

In March, 1907, Thornley won an international cap playing for England against Wales. Also in the England team that day was Bob Crompton, Colin Veitch, Steve Bloomer and George Wall whereas Wales included Leigh Roose, Billy Meredith and Billy Jones. Thornley also played for the Football League against the Scottish League.

Manchester City finished in 3rd place in the 1907-08 season. However, Manchester United, a team that included City's former stars, Billy Meredith, Herbert Burgess, Sandy Turnbull and Jimmy Bannister won the league championship. Once again Thornley was the club's top scorer with 14 goals in 31 games.

Thornley was in great form in the 1908-09 season and scored another 18 goals. However, the rest of the team played badly and Manchester City finished second from bottom and were relegated.

Irvine Thornley
Cigarette card 

In 1909 Thornley was appointed club captain. He responded well to this new responsibility and scored 12 goals in the opening 17 games. He was then seriously injured and missed the rest of the season. Thornley had built the foundations for a good campaign and by beating Leeds United 3-0 on 23rd September, 1910, Manchester City guaranteed promotion to the First Division. Hull City could still deny them the championship but they lost their final game and City took the title by one point.

Height/Weight: 5' 9", 11st. 0lbs – In 1911 From Manchester City Records

As a reward for Thornley's service, the club awarded him a benefit. Over 40,000 fans turned up to the game and Thornley picked up a cheque for £1,036.

In 1912 Thornley was transferred to South Shields. During his time at Manchester City he had scored 92 goals in 195 appearances.

Player Number: One of four who became the 326th players (327) to appear for England

Position(s)Centre-forward

Only match No. 90, 18 March 1907, England 1 Wales 1, a British Championship match at Craven Cottage, New Road, Fulham, London, aged 23 years 102 days.

Major tournaments: British Championships 1906-07;

Distinctions: The only player in the match against Wales not to win another cap.

Thornley returned to work as a butcher but he continued to play football for South Shields, Hamilton Academical's and Houghton.

Irvine Thornley From Glossop Died 24 April 1955 at The Ingham Infirmary in South Shields, aged 71 years 139 days

He was living at 10 Aldwych Street in South Shields.

Another true pioneer of sport who not only found fame but had some amazing talent but was a family man at heart. For a man who stood out from the crowd at Glossop to gain national status with Manchester City and to grace the England team he returned to be family man and a butcher. Not many in his shoes in this day and age would to the same.

Complied and edited By M.Cox 

References:  An English Football Internationalists' Who's Who. Douglas Lamming (1990)

                     www.englandfootballonline.com

Benefits for Glossop A Hundred Years On

In the year nineteen hundred and twelve the National Insurance Act was introduced which was, however, passed by the government the year before. This would see the first major benefits for not only the sick but the unemployed. The first stepping stones towards the National Health Service we have today.

The new National Insurance Act specified that every worker who earned under £160 a year had to insure themselves by paying 4 pence a week, the employer paid 3 pence a week, and the general taxation paid 2 pence. As a result, workers could take sick leave and be paid 10 shillings a week for the first 13 weeks and 5 shillings/week for the next 13 weeks. Workers also gained access to free treatment for tuberculosis and the sick were eligible for treatment by a panel doctor.

Unemployment had risen by 30% nationally the previous year but in Glossop there was a population just over 21,000 according to the 1911 census of which there was around 60 unemployed. The worker gave 2.5 pence/week when employed, the employer 2.5 pence, and the taxpayer 3 pence. After one week of unemployment, the worker would be eligible of receiving 7 shillings/week for up to 15 weeks in a year.

More than one hundred years on unemployment is at an all-time high Glossop’s current population is around 28,000 according to the latest census with over 900 unemployed, however, there is more than 6,000 retirees.

By M. Cox

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Woolworth's at Glossop 1941 to 2009

Winter Woollies

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas”. There is definitely a chill in the air as the festive season sneaks in to town.  There was a feast of traditional sights and smells that were sampled by many at the Glossop Christmas switch on, last Saturday evening. The celebration kick started the late night shopping throughout the town and market, for all your gifts, goodies and treats.  It was at that moment I reflected about our more recent history.

In 1941 the drapers at 9 High Street West was bought by the American company that was spreading the country by storm. That company was F. W. Woolworths. It opened its doors later that year and offered a wide range of wares. It was to become one of Glossop’s first self-service stores. Previously you would have given your shopping list to the shopkeeper in order for them to find the goods for you.

The first Woolworths store to open in America was back in 1879 then in 1909 the first British store opened in Liverpool with a huge celebration with a full orchestra, circus and firework display. It was then in 1910 that Frank Woolworth commissioned the design and construction of the famous Woolworth building in New York.

Back in Glossop the store was vital throughout the war years, providing a wide variety of goods that were available all in one place.  It was an early example of the modern supermarket. The store expanded over the years taking up three shop spaces. The original sign over the door read “Woolworths. F. W Bazaar” and was set in gold and black very similar to the Finlay McKinlay’s sign next door.  The name changed over the years as it became a British company. This resulted in the famous red sign we all knew and loved.

Woolworth's lasted 68 years in Glossop as it closed its doors in 2009. During its closing down sales it sold everything right down to the fixtures and fittings.

Woolworth's was a local favourite and a national icon but will you miss it this Christmas?

By Matthew Cox

glossoptours.co.uk