LoAFRS 4 -Jimmy Crabtree

Jimmy Crabtree – Football League Career – 1889 – 1904

Only one player is included in the 4th installment because I wanted to spend a bit extra time on explaining why Jimmy Crabtree should be considered among of the true all-time greats of Association Football.

In other words, it’s time give Jimmy Crabtree his due.

Defenders often get a bum rap when it comes to history. “Goals”, rather than “stopped goals” are what are recorded on the stats sheet. Not surprisingly, defenders like Jimmy Crabtree, who were stand-out players in their day are almost forgotten by future generations.

But make no mistake, Jimmy Crabtree was an absolutely stellar generational player. In late 1894, while playing for Burnley, Crabtree was the best full back, if not player, in the league, and he knew it. Crabtree had already been capped at just 22 and was just hitting the prime of his career. He demanded an exorbitant salary from his current club Burnley. The team simply could not afford him so they went to the open market for transfer. Everton was desperate to acquire Crabtree and offered £200 for a transfer. This was a significant amount of money, but it wasn’t enough. Aston Villa, who were FA Cup champions noticed the value of Crabtree, and he was transferred to the club for an incredible fee of £250. This was momentous as this was one of the first times a club had paid such a sum for a transfer of a player.

Crabtree went on to have a spectacular season in 1895 with Villa winning the First Division title. For the next 9 years, Crabtree was a fixture in the impenetrable Aston Villa defense. Crabtree was part of the Villa team that won the infamous “Double” in 1897. On a Villa team that already had veritable superstars with Devey, Cowan and Athersmith, it was speculated that he was highest paid player on the team. With Crabtree, Villa secured its spot as the best team of the 1890s winning league championship medals in 1897, 1899 and 1900.

Crabtree was notable for his versatility and ability to play almost any position. This versatility and his exceptional skill also made him a regular selection for the National team as Crabtree made 14 appearances for England with his last being in 1902.

His career was cut short due to an unfortunate injury. However, there may have been another reason for his early departure. Crabtree was a heavy drinker and ended up dying from his alcoholism at only 36 years of age. Luckily, his genius on the field was still widely known and praises for his greatness were not understated. Sam Hardy, the legendary goal keeper considered Crabtree to be “one of the greatest halfbacks, football has ever known.”

Crabtree was considered a student of the game and after retirement was hired to write several articles on football as was introduced as “greatest exponent of modern back and back play”.

Some other accolades are:

Crabtree the famous Aston Villa footballer, ….was considered by many to be the greatest Association Footballer of all times. The Times and Express, June 19, 1908

Few better players ever went on a football field than James Crabtree… The Daily Mirror June 18, 1908

Another player who dominated play completely was James W. Crabtree, Burnley’s great full back and Aston Villa’s great half back. Shrewsbury Chronicle – Friday 13 December 1907

Crabtree, who was beyond argument the finest all around player of his day, if not any day. Athletic News – Monday 03 April 1922

I have decided to include the entire obituary from the front page of the Sports Argus June 20, 1908 as it allows one to get a sense of how highly Crabtree was regarded in his time.

Rookie card: Year 1900 – Manufacturer Ogden’s Cigarettes – Set Name – General Interest 95 Series – Card Number Unnumbered

Card notes:

Crabtree is shown wearing his English Three Lions kit and the date of 1895 can be read on his cap.

The information provided is based upon research conducted on the subject; however, football cards and their issued dates should be considered vast evolving subject matter. I will update to the best of my knowledge as new information comes available but no one source should be considered definitive. If you have comments or corrections, please contact me and I will do my best to provide the most accurate information available.