Eddie Shimwell

Football player infobox
playername = Eddie Shimwell


fullname = Edmund Shimwell
nickname =
dateofbirth = birth date|1920|2|27|mf=y
cityofbirth = Birchover
countryofbirth = England
dateofdeath = October 1988 (aged 68)
cityofdeath =
countryofdeath =
height =
position = Defender
youthyears = 19??-1946
youthclubs = Wirksworth
years = 1946
1946-1957
1957-1958
1958-1959
1959-1960
clubs = Sheffield United
Blackpool
Oldham Athletic
Burton Albion
Matlock Town
Career
caps(goals) = 014 (0)
283 (5)
007 (0)
00? (?)
00? (?)
304 (5)
manageryears =
managerclubs = Burton Albion (player-manager)
nationalyears = 1949
nationalteam = England
nationalcaps(goals) = 001 (0)

Edmund "Eddie" Shimwell (February 27 1920 — October 1988) was an English professional footballer.

Born in Birchover, [http://web.ukonline.co.uk/pstopford/facuppenpics.html Matlock Town pen pics] ] Derbyshire, Shimwell began his professional career with Sheffield United in 1946, but in December of that year he made the move to the club with which he made his name, Blackpool. The Blades had refused Shimwell permission to run a pub, which prompted him to put in a transfer request.Calley, Roy (1992). "Blackpool: A Complete Record 1887-1992", p. 114] Blackpool manager Joe Smith jumped in to sign the full-back for £7,000.

His debut for Blackpool was supposed to be against Charlton Athletic on December 21, 1946, but it was put back after his train got stuck in snow, which meant he didn't arrive at The Valley until half-time. His first game came four days later, on Christmas Day, against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park. He replaced Eric Sibley, and from that moment he made the right-back position his own.

Shimwell scored two important FA Cup goals for Blackpool; the first, against Chester City on January 24, 1948, was a 60-yard lob, the combination of a following wind and frozen pitch saw it bounce over the goalkeeper's head. Blackpool reached that year's final, in which they met eventual victors Manchester United, and Shimwell became the first full-back to score in such a Wembley event when his 12th-minute penalty gave Blackpool the lead.Calley, Roy (1992). "Blackpool: A Complete Record 1887-1992", p. 114]

Shimwell played in two more FA Cup Finals with Blackpool, firstly in 1951 against Newcastle United (in which they were on the losing side again, thanks to a Jackie Milburn double), and then in 1953, the famous "Matthews Final" Blackpool victory.

On May 13 1949, at the age of 29, Shimwell gained his only England cap, against Sweden. [http://englandstats.com/playerreport.php?pid=868 EnglandStats.com] ]

A dislocated shoulder, suffered in a win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Bloomfield Road on September 17 1955, meant Shimwell was out for the rest of the season. Indeed, he made only one more start for the Seasiders, on January 19 1957, at home to Sunderland, but it gave the Blackpool faithful amongst the 18,702 present the chance to say farewell to the defender after thirteen years of service. In May, Shimwell was given a free transfer to Third Division Oldham Athletic. He played only seven games for the club before joining Burton Albion as player-manager. He finished his playing career while at Matlock Town in 1960.

Retirement

After hanging up his boots, Shimwell became licensee at The Royal Volunteer, a pub in Clay Cross, Derbyshire. [http://web.ukonline.co.uk/pstopford/facuppenpics.html Matlock Town pen pics] ]

Shimwell died in 1988 at the age of 68.

Honours

Blackpool
*FA Cup winner: 1953
*Lancashire Cup winner: 1954

Notes

References

* Eddie Shimwell's career history at [http://www.since1888.co.uk www.since1888.co.uk]
*cite book | first=Roy | last=Calley| coauthors= | title=Blackpool: A Complete Record 1887-1992 | publisher=Breedon Books Sport | location= | year=1992 | editor= | id=ISBN 1-873626-07-X

External links

* [http://www.englandfc.com/Profiles/php/PlayerProfileByName.php?id=874 Profile at England FC.com]