A speedy little winger, who had a big reputation, but failed to live up to it once he joined Spurs.
The young player, known as Jack, was a big name in local football circles (with clubs such as Eston United, Seaham White Star, Grangetown, South Bank St. Peters, South Bank United and Shildon United) and started his career at Sunderland, his local club, in 1906, but left without making an appearance for the Wearsiders to play for Gainsborough Trinity in Division Two and he had only one year with the club before Tottenham noticed his progress and brought him to White Hart Lane, paying £375.
Jack arrived in April, so only had two games to play before the end of the season, but he made a scoring debut against Bradford Park Avenue to help the team finish behind Bolton Wanderers and gain promotion to Division One. His rapid rise to the top flight brought him to the attention of the international selectors and he was invited to take part in a trial match for England on 31 January 1910, playing for the Whites v the Stripes in an England trial at Anfield, but his international career went no further than that.
Played in Tottenham's first ever First Division match – losing 1-3 to Sunderland at Roker Park on 1st September 1909, but failed to hold down a regular place in the first team, with some time spent in the second string, where he scored four goals in 32 reserve matches in the South Eastern league.
Unfortunately, his Spurs career peaked early and his form dropped off and he suffered injuries that put his place in jeopardy. Jack managed 116 games for Spurs at all levels in the four years he was at the club, netting 12 goals, but he was allowed to leave for Fulham in May 1913 and then went on to turn out for Brentford and Stockport County pre-war before returning to the North-East to play for Middlesbrough, playing his last league game v Newcastle United on 3rd December 1919.
Before retiring, Jack played for Darlington and Shildon, back in the North-East.
Jack had married the daughter of Mr. W. F. Gilboy – the landlord at the White Hart pub.
Jack died in Wimbledon, Surrey in early 1955.