75th Anniversary Of Jimmy Thorpe's Death

My Boy Harry · 28th November 2010, 11:07 PM

I was informed by a friend of mine that, extremely co-incidentally, we play Chelsea at home on 1 February 2011. I'm not sure if that date to play Chelsea has been specially requested by SAFC but it is, to the day, the 75th anniversary of the date of the game against Chelsea in 1936 when our goalkeeper Jimmy Thorpe (a diabetic) was kicked black and blue and subsequently died of his injuries.

Dont know if anyone from SAFC is looking in on this thread but it wouldnt be out of place for both clubs to mark this anniversary in some way. I know that the club, as a rule, dont hold one minutes silence during the season for individual players but perhaps there is something else they could do...or should we not bother commemorating this?

The death of Thorpe brought about a slow change in footballs opinions on the treatment dished out to goalies and eventually resulted in the type of protection that we see today for them - although it took a while to eventually sink in.

Jimmy's son Ronnie (he was 3 when his Father died) is still alive and lives in Tunstall. Jimmy was turning into a fine keeper and it was mentioned that he would eventualloy take over in goal for England if that progress was maintained.

22 IIRC when he died.

Karl Marx II · 28th November 2010, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by My Boy Harry

I was informed by a friend of mine that, extremely co-incidentally, we play Chelsea at home on 1 February 2011. I'm not sure if that date to play Chelsea has been specially requested by SAFC but it is, to the day, the 75th anniversary of the date of the game against Chelsea in 1936 when our goalkeeper Jimmy Thorpe (a diabetic) was kicked black and blue and subsequently died of his injuries.

Dont know if anyone from SAFC is looking in on this thread but it wouldnt be out of place for both clubs to mark this anniversary in some way. I know that the club, as a rule, dont hold one minutes silence during the season for individual players but perhaps there is something else they could do...or should we not bother commemorating this?

The death of Thorpe brought about a slow change in footballs opinions on the treatment dished out to goalies and eventually resulted in the type of protection that we see today for them - although it took a while to eventually sink in.

Jimmy's son Ronnie (he was 3 when his Father died) is still alive and lives in Tunstall. Jimmy was turning into a fine keeper and it was mentioned that he would eventualloy take over in goal for England if that progress was maintained.

22 IIRC when he died.

Spooky.

My Boy Harry · 28th November 2010, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karl Marx II

Spooky.

Very:

1st February 1936 League Division One

SUNDERLAND 3 CHELSEA 3

(Gurney 6,41,Gallacher 70) (Gibson 35,Bambrick 73,74)

Referee Mr H S Warr of Bolton Attendance 24,000

Sunderland:-- Thorpe, Murray, Hall, Thomson, Johnston, Hastings, Davis, Carter, Gurney, Gallacher, Connor.

Chelsea:- Woodley, Barker, McAulay, Mitchell, Craig, Miller, Spence, Burgess, Bambrick, Gibson, Barraclough.

Remarkable to relate Sunderland had a stroke of luck when they least deserved it. With a home game giving them a glorious opportunity to strengthen their grip on the league championship they frittered away a point. Sunderlands main challengers Derby County also had a home game against Villa which on form they should have won but they lost and so Sunderland increased their lead by another point. Sunderland are accused of frittering away a point. How else can one describe this semi failure? Eighteen minutes from the end wearsiders had a 3-1 lead and looked like increasing the advantage but 2 minutes later the scores were level.

Two errors by Sunderland goalkeeper Thorpe transformed the game, both gift goals. Thorpe has never had such an unhappy game nor yet an easier one. He was seldom in action on the 1st half whereas Woodley, his Chelsea counterpart was seldom out of action. A lot of complaint was heard regarding the refereeing of the game and indeed his control was unsatisfactory but it was not because of this that Sunderland lost a point although it did spoil the game. One must have a deal of sympathy for a goalkeeper who makes a costly blunder as this cannot be retrieved.

Chelseas 1st goal in the 35th min was the direct result of a corner kick by Spence being misjudged by Thorpe. The ball dropped almost on the goal line for Gibson to dart in and tap into the net. The visitors 2nd goal after 73 mins was scored by Bambrick with a very tame hook shot which Thorpe badly misjudged. The goalkeeper certainly got to the ball and held it but the referee ruled that it had crossed the line and awarded a goal despite vigorous protests from the wearsiders. Thorpes worst mistake gave Chelsea their 3rd goal also scored by Bambrick.

The centre forward chased the ball through the middle but Johnston got there first and
placed back to Thorpe who correctly anticipated the move. The goalkeeper had plenty of time to gather, avoid Bambricks challenge and clear. Instead he seemed to take more heed of Bambrick than the ball which slipped from his grasp for the Chelsea man to score a simple goal. So much for Chelseas goals, now for Sunderlands. The 1st was scored very cleverly by Gurney after 6mins with Carter making the opening. Gurney though hustled by Grey and McAulay shot accurately as Woodley came out.

It was Gurney who got the 2nd goal after 41 mins shooting into the net as the ball rebounded from the Chelsea bar following a great shot from either Carter or Davis. Gallacher made Sunderlands lead 3-1 in the 65th min running to meet the ball as Connor slammed it into the goalmouth from a free kick just outside the penalty area. Gurney got the ball into the net again but the referee decided he was offside. Ten minutes from the end Hastings was brought down and injured. The referee who did not see the incident but convinced by the noise of the crowd that something had happened consulted a linesman.

He pointed out Mitchell as the offender and he was ordered off the field. There was certainly a lot of rough play in the game and it began early. In fact the game was only 30 mins old when the referee cautioned Mitchell. That did not have a salutary effect for the fouls and free kicks continued with almost monotonous regularity. Sunderland ought to have been given a penalty when Gallacher was unfairly brought down in the 1srt half but still there was no excuse for the loss of a point. Sunderlands own weak shooting and bad goalkeeping were responsible for this.

Chelsea outplayed for nearly 75% of the game never ceased trying to put the wearsiders off their game but there was nothing in their play to entitle them to a point. Thorpe spent all the following Monday in bed very seriously ill as a result of a kick he sustained in the match. He had a head wound and swollen eye and a badly bruised face. He was later admitted to the Monkwearmouth and Southwick Hospital and died on Wednesday the 5th of February. (North Mail)

The Situation · 28th November 2010, 11:24 PM

Very strange timing that, hopefully the club and/or we as supporters do something to show our respects to Jimmy.

toosb · 29th November 2010, 09:16 AM

I know the bloke(a NUFC fan actually) who wrote the book on Jimmy Thorpe. He was full of praise for Bob Murray for his help with it and setting up a memorial at his grave.

Not sure that Niall will be as inclined to do much, but he should probably be made aware of this anniversary.

Rotherham red'n'white · 29th November 2010, 09:32 AM

The club were involved in a memorial service for Jimmy Thorpe, in Jarrow, for the 70th anniversary. John Fickling and Jimmy Montgomery were there.

Stevie Freestein II · 29th November 2010, 09:59 AM

How about a ritual stoning of Petr Cech?

Jersey_Mackem · 29th November 2010, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by My Boy Harry

Very:

1st February 1936 League Division One

SUNDERLAND 3 CHELSEA 3

(Gurney 6,41,Gallacher 70) (Gibson 35,Bambrick 73,74)

Referee Mr H S Warr of Bolton Attendance 24,000

Sunderland:-- Thorpe, Murray, Hall, Thomson, Johnston, Hastings, Davis, Carter, Gurney, Gallacher, Connor.

Chelsea:- Woodley, Barker, McAulay, Mitchell, Craig, Miller, Spence, Burgess, Bambrick, Gibson, Barraclough.

Remarkable to relate Sunderland had a stroke of luck when they least deserved it. With a home game giving them a glorious opportunity to strengthen their grip on the league championship they frittered away a point. Sunderlands main challengers Derby County also had a home game against Villa which on form they should have won but they lost and so Sunderland increased their lead by another point. Sunderland are accused of frittering away a point. How else can one describe this semi failure? Eighteen minutes from the end wearsiders had a 3-1 lead and looked like increasing the advantage but 2 minutes later the scores were level.

Two errors by Sunderland goalkeeper Thorpe transformed the game, both gift goals. Thorpe has never had such an unhappy game nor yet an easier one. He was seldom in action on the 1st half whereas Woodley, his Chelsea counterpart was seldom out of action. A lot of complaint was heard regarding the refereeing of the game and indeed his control was unsatisfactory but it was not because of this that Sunderland lost a point although it did spoil the game. One must have a deal of sympathy for a goalkeeper who makes a costly blunder as this cannot be retrieved.

Chelseas 1st goal in the 35th min was the direct result of a corner kick by Spence being misjudged by Thorpe. The ball dropped almost on the goal line for Gibson to dart in and tap into the net. The visitors 2nd goal after 73 mins was scored by Bambrick with a very tame hook shot which Thorpe badly misjudged. The goalkeeper certainly got to the ball and held it but the referee ruled that it had crossed the line and awarded a goal despite vigorous protests from the wearsiders. Thorpes worst mistake gave Chelsea their 3rd goal also scored by Bambrick.

The centre forward chased the ball through the middle but Johnston got there first and
placed back to Thorpe who correctly anticipated the move. The goalkeeper had plenty of time to gather, avoid Bambricks challenge and clear. Instead he seemed to take more heed of Bambrick than the ball which slipped from his grasp for the Chelsea man to score a simple goal. So much for Chelseas goals, now for Sunderlands. The 1st was scored very cleverly by Gurney after 6mins with Carter making the opening. Gurney though hustled by Grey and McAulay shot accurately as Woodley came out.

It was Gurney who got the 2nd goal after 41 mins shooting into the net as the ball rebounded from the Chelsea bar following a great shot from either Carter or Davis. Gallacher made Sunderlands lead 3-1 in the 65th min running to meet the ball as Connor slammed it into the goalmouth from a free kick just outside the penalty area. Gurney got the ball into the net again but the referee decided he was offside. Ten minutes from the end Hastings was brought down and injured. The referee who did not see the incident but convinced by the noise of the crowd that something had happened consulted a linesman.

He pointed out Mitchell as the offender and he was ordered off the field. There was certainly a lot of rough play in the game and it began early. In fact the game was only 30 mins old when the referee cautioned Mitchell. That did not have a salutary effect for the fouls and free kicks continued with almost monotonous regularity. Sunderland ought to have been given a penalty when Gallacher was unfairly brought down in the 1srt half but still there was no excuse for the loss of a point. Sunderlands own weak shooting and bad goalkeeping were responsible for this.

Chelsea outplayed for nearly 75% of the game never ceased trying to put the wearsiders off their game but there was nothing in their play to entitle them to a point. Thorpe spent all the following Monday in bed very seriously ill as a result of a kick he sustained in the match. He had a head wound and swollen eye and a badly bruised face. He was later admitted to the Monkwearmouth and Southwick Hospital and died on Wednesday the 5th of February. (North Mail)

This must be the original report from the game. If i remember correctly he died a couple of days later and they changed the report to say what a heroic performance he had put in.

KNGHTHOOD · 29th November 2010, 10:49 AM

Typical Sunderland throwing a two goal lead away. Nothing changes

tynevalleyblackcat · 29th November 2010, 01:18 PM

Due to the fact that it's Chelsea we are playing and it's the actual anniversary, I would support a one off minutes silence at this game. I know the club have a policy of doing a minutes silence at the end of the year, but Thorpe is unique in that his death was brought about on the field of play and as such deserves special treatment in my book.