Albert "Pat" Beasley (July 16, 1913 – February 27, 1986) was a professional footballer and manager.
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Albert Beasley | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
Football career
Born in Stourbridge, Worcestershire, Beasley began his career as a winger playing for local sides in Kidderminster, before joining Stourbridge. In 1931, while still only seventeen he was signed for £550 by Arsenal. Initially in the youth and reserve teams, he made his first-team debut away to Sunderland on April 6 1932, but only played sporadically at first, with regulars Joe Hulme and Cliff Bastin keeping the young Beasley out of the side.
An injury to Hulme in 1933-34 opened the door for Beasley, who scored ten goals in 23 league games as Arsenal won the First Division title, and he remained in the side for the 1934-35 season. However Beasley faced competition from both Hulme and new signing Alf Kirchen, and he missed the Gunners' 1936 FA Cup Final win over Sheffield United. In October 1936 he was sold to Huddersfield Town for £750. In total he made 90 appearances for Arsenal, scoring 25 goals.
He spent three full seasons with Huddersfield Town, playing 108 league games, and reaching a second FA Cup Final in 1938, which they lost to Preston North End. In 1939 he won his one and only England in a match against Scotland. He also won two unofficial caps during the Second World War, in which he also occasionally guested for his old side Arsenal.
He continued to play after hostilities ended; after playing for Fulham, he became Bristol City's player-manager in 1950. He was manager until 1958. He became manager of Birmingham City in 1959 but was only in the post for a year. He later scouted for Fulham and managed Dover. He retired to live in Chard, Somerset, and died in Taunton at the age of 72.
Honours
As a player
- with Arsenal
- Football League First Division champions 1934, 1935
- with Huddersfield Town
- with Bristol City
- Football League Second Division champions 1950
As a manager
- with Bristol City
- Football League Third Division South champions 1955
- with Birmingham City
- Inter-Cities Fairs Cup runner-up 1960
References
- England profile
- Harris, Jeff & Hogg, Tony (ed.) (1995). Arsenal Who's Who. Independent UK Sports. ISBN 1-899429-03-4.
{{cite book}}:|author=has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Matthews, Tony (1995). Birmingham City: A Complete Record. Derby: Breedon Books. pp. p. 62. ISBN 1-85983-010-2.
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