Norman Wilkinson (footballer, born 1931)

Norman Francis Wilkinson (16 February 1931 – 29 January 2011) was an English professional footballer. He started his career with non-League Crook Town before joining Football League team Hull City in 1953. He joined York City in 1954 and is the club's leading goalscorer with 143 goals. He returned to non-League with Annfield Plain after retiring from League football.

Norman Wilkinson
Wilkinson attending a York City match in 2007
Personal information
Full name Norman Francis Wilkinson[1]
Date of birth (1931-02-16)16 February 1931[1]
Place of birth Alnwick, England
Date of death 29 January 2011(2011-01-29) (aged 79)
Place of death Sunderland, England[2]
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[3]
Playing position(s) Inside forward
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
0000–1952 Crook Town
1952–1954 Hull City 8 (3)
1954–1966 York City 354 (127)
1966– Annfield Plain
Total 362 (130)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Career

Born in Alnwick, Northumberland, Wilkinson started his career playing in non-League football with Northern League side Crook Town, before joining Hull City of the Second Division as an amateur in November 1952.[1][3] He made eight appearances and scored three goals in the Football League for Hull in the 1953–54 season.[4] He joined Third Division North team York City for a signing on fee of £10 in May 1954.[1][3] He scored two goals on his debut in the 6–2 victory against Wrexham on the opening day of the 1954–55 season.[5] He was part of the team that reached the semi-final of the 1954–55 FA Cup, scoring against Scarborough, Dorchester Town and Tottenham Hotspur.[6] Wilkinson is York's highest goalscorer with 143 goals in all competitions.[5] He retired from League football in 1966 but continued on playing non-League football for Annfield Plain and also worked as a scout for York in the North East.[5]

Personal life

During his career, Wilkinson played as a part-timer while also working as a shoe repairer and commuted from his home in north Durham.[7] Before signing for Hull he served in the Royal Air Force.[8] He died in his sleep at the age of seventy-nine on 29 January 2011.[9]

Style of play

Wilkinson played as an inside forward.[10]

Career statistics
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Hull City 1952–53[11] Second Division 0000—00
1953–54[4] Second Division 8300—83
Total 8300—83
York City 1954–55[6] Third Division North 391984—4723
1955–56[12] Third Division North 271051—3211
1956–57[13] Third Division North 381731—4118
1957–58[14] Third Division North 411052—4612
1958–59[15] Fourth Division 27910—289
1959–60[16] Third Division 371430—4014
1960–61[17] Fourth Division 351164104215
1961–62[18] Fourth Division 1831040233
1962–63[19] Fourth Division 381542004217
1963–64[20] Fourth Division 271012303112
1964–65[21] Fourth Division 2392000259
1965–66[22] Third Division 40000040
Total 354127391680401143
Career total 362130391680409146

References
  1. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2005). The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005. Edinburgh: Queen Anne Press. p. 658. ISBN 1-85291-665-6.
  2. "Norman Wilkinson". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  3. Jarred, Martin; Windross, Dave (1997). Citizens and Minstermen, A Who's Who of York City FC 1922–1997. Selby: Citizen Publications. p. 112. ISBN 0-9531005-0-2.
  4. Peterson. The Definitive Hull City A.F.C. : A statistical history to 1999. p. 57.
  5. Batters, Dave (2008). York City: The Complete Record. Derby: Breedon Books. p. 212. ISBN 978-1-85983-633-0.
  6. Batters. York City: The Complete Record. pp. 302–303.
  7. Amos, Mike (27 May 2009). "Norman must sit out York's big day". The Northern Echo. Darlington. Archived from the original on 19 September 2012. Retrieved 2 December 2009.
  8. Peterson. The Definitive Hull City A.F.C. : A statistical history to 1999. p. 118.
  9. Flett, Dave (1 February 2011). "Tributes paid to York City legend Norman Wilkinson". The Press. York. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  10. "Norman Wilkinson". Post War English & Scottish Football League A – Z Player's Database. Retrieved 19 July 2007.
  11. Peterson, Mike (1999). The Definitive Hull City A.F.C. : A statistical history to 1999. Nottingham: Tony Brown. p. 56. ISBN 1-899468-13-7.
  12. Batters. York City: The Complete Record. pp. 304–305.
  13. Batters. York City: The Complete Record. pp. 306–307.
  14. Batters. York City: The Complete Record. pp. 308–309.
  15. Batters. York City: The Complete Record. pp. 310–311.
  16. Batters. York City: The Complete Record. pp. 312–313.
  17. Batters. York City: The Complete Record. pp. 314–315.
  18. Batters. York City: The Complete Record. pp. 316–317.
  19. Batters. York City: The Complete Record. pp. 318–319.
  20. Batters. York City: The Complete Record. pp. 320–321.
  21. Batters. York City: The Complete Record. pp. 322–323.
  22. Batters. York City: The Complete Record. pp. 324–325.
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