HCSS Hall of Fame – Pre-WW2 Biographies

EGD Wright – Hull City captain for seven seasons in a row, and played for England in that time (albeit while registered to Cambridge University so he could retain his amateur status). Was a key player in the season that saw us almost get into the top-flight in 1909/10. 168 games, 16 goals.

Paddy Mills – Long-time club record goalscorer (until Chillo beat him) and a great centre-forward for City in the 1920s. Played in the semi-finals against Arsenal in 1930. Scored 110 goals in 291 matches. Also the great-uncle of Nigel Pearson.

Sammy Stevens – Played for City between 1911 and 1919, scoring a ridiculous 93 goals in 161 games. Scored in seven consecutive games in the 1913/14 season, and was as hard as nails.

Matt Bell – One of the great, great names of Hull City, Bell was a defender from the end of the First World War to the 1930 season, where he played in the FA semi-finals against Arsenal. A one-time record of 423 games with one goal (against Port Vale if you’re interested) Bell reluctantly moved to Forest when we were relegated in 1930.

Arthur Temple – Another player with a ridiculous goalscoring record from our formative years. 81 goals in 184 games between 1907 and 1913, Temple was one of the goalscoring forces behind our near-promotion to the top flight in 1910.

Ambrose Langley – Another great name connected with the club, Langley was City first manager in the league and stayed in the job until 1913. Was so close to getting us in the top flight in 1910 and was integral to the building of the firm foundations that City enjoyed in our formative years.

George Maddison – The first of City’s many great goalkeepers, ‘Geordie’ played for City with distinction between 1924 and 1937 playing 454 times (breaking Matt Bell’s record) and was widely recognised as one of the best goalkeepers outside the top flight for much of his time with City.

Jimmy Lodge – An unmemorable playing career with City in the 1920s, Jimmy Lodge then went on to be associated with the club for decades afterwards as a coach, masseur and physio util his death (his funeral was attended by Stanley Rouse and Allan Hardaker, such was his standing in football circles). One of the game’s great gentlemen.

Tommy Bleakley – A legendary (if diminutive) half-back for City in the post-First World War years, Bleakley played 389 times for City, scoring seven times.

Cliff Woodhead – A stalwart of City in the 1930s and a one-club man, Woodhead was a terrific defender who played 323 times for City in league and cup, not scoring a single goal. A left-back, Woodhead was considered City’s best player in the 1932/33 promotion to Division 2.

Jackie Smith – A ridiculously talented goalscorer, Jackie Smith netted 102 times for City in 168 games. Jackie scored 32 goals in the 1909/10 season that almost brought promotion and was considered the most skilful player to play for City in the pre-war years.