Albert Edward Hutchinson (30 September 1910 – May 1974) was an English professional footballer. Born in Sheffield, he is notable for being one of Torquay United's all-time leading appearance makers.

Albert Hutchinson
Personal information
Date of birth (1910-09-30)30 September 1910
Place of birth Sheffield, England
Date of death May 1974 (aged 63)
Place of death Sheffield, England
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)[1]
Position(s) Inside forward
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
All Saints Old Boys
Atlas & Norfolk Works
1929–1930 Luton Town 5 (1)
1930–1940 Torquay United 317 (80)
1945–1947 Buxton
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

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Having scored an extraordinary 255 goals in three seasons for amateur Sheffield sides All Saints Old Boys and Atlas & Norfolk, Hutchinson was lured south to play for Third Division South side Luton Town in 1929. After impressing in the Luton Reserve side, he was elevated to the first team but only managed five senior appearances and one goal for the Hatters.[2]

Hutchinson was then signed by Luton's Third Division South rivals Torquay United before the beginning of the 1930–31 season. Making his debut away to Newport County on 30 August 1930, he had to give up his favoured centre forward position to Jimmy Trotter. However, he immediately established himself as an inside forward and was an ever-present over the next two seasons. Hutchinson was eventually made United's captain and was the club's leading scorer for both the 1934–35 and 1935–36 seasons.[3] He proved his versatility by playing at every position on the pitch during his Torquay career, even filling in for injured goalkeeper Percy Maggs during a home game against Brighton & Hove Albion where he managed to save a penalty.[4] By the end of the 1938–39 season, Hutchinson had made a record 338 appearances for Torquay before his career was interrupted by the outbreak of World War II.[3]

He continued to play for Torquay United during the 1939–40 Wartime League before joining Buxton of the Cheshire League for two seasons after the war.[4]

Hutchinson eventually returned to Sheffield to work in the steel industry before his death from lung cancer in May 1974.[2]

Career statistics

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Club Season League FA Cup Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Luton Town 1929–30 5 1 0 0 0 0 5 1
Torquay United 1930–31 42 11 4 0 0 0 46 11
1931–32 42 10 1 0 0 0 43 10
1932–33 34 15 4 2 0 0 38 17
1933–34 32 7 0 0 3 1 35 8
1934–35 32 18 2 0 0 0 34 18
1935–36 28 10 1 0 0 0 29 10
1936–37 33 6 1 0 1 1 35 7
1937–38 36 1 0 0 0 0 36 1
1938–39 38 2 2 0 2 0 42 2
Total 317 80 15 2 6 2 338 84
Career total 322 81 15 2 6 2 343 85

References

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  1. ^ "Torquay United. 'Magpies will do better this time'". Sunday Dispatch Football Guide. London. 23 August 1936. p. xi – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b Riddle, Andy (2009). Torquay United, 50 Golden Greats. Desert Island Books. ISBN 978-1-905328-63-5
  3. ^ a b Edwards, Leigh (1997). The Definitive Torquay United F.C.. The Association of Football Statisticians. ISBN 1-899468-09-9.
  4. ^ a b TFF History Room: Albert Hutchinson