LoAFRS 6 -McCracken, Woodward, and Hardy

Legends of Association football Rookie Series Group 6 – Bill MCCracken, Vivian Woodward, and Sam Hardy

14, William McCracken – Football League Career 1904 – 1924

Bill McCracken came from Northern Ireland and played for Newcastle United bringing a new level of tactical play to the game. He was an outstanding defender and is largely known for inventing the offensive trap. While this tactical move was pure genius, it is a mistake to think that McCracken should only be known for that. McCracken was widely regarded as one the top, if not the top top defender of his era. He went on to have a solid 20-year career with Newcastle United and earned 16 caps and captained the Irish National team.

Rookie Card: Year 1908 – Manufacturer – John Sinclair Ltd. Cigarettes – Set Name – Football Favourites – Card Number – 67

Card notes:
Sinclair cigarettes produced the set featuring mostly players from Northern England.

15. Vivian Woodward – Football League Career 1908–1915

Vivian Woodward finds himself in elite company with G.O. Smith as one of the best amateur players that England ever produced. He was so impressive that he was capped as early as 1903.  Woodward started with Tottenham, but became most famous as the crafty attacking Chelsea forward.  He captained England to an Olympic gold medal, not once but twice in 1908 and 1912, His spectacular career was cut short as he was among the first footballers to enlist in the First World War. Vivian Woodward is a Football Legend in every sense of the word. 

Rookie Card 1: Year 1907 – Manufacturer Cohen, Weenen and Co. – Set Name – Owners Jockeys, Footballers and Cricketers Series 3 – Card Number – Unnumbered

Image Source: Personal Collection

Card notes:
Woodward is one of only 9 footballers included in this set from this beautiful Cohen Weenen and Co.set.  He is depicted playing for Tottenham Hotspurs. 

Rookie Card 2: Year 1907 – Manufacturer – Taddy and Co. – Set Name – Prominent Footballers  – Card Number –  Unnumbered

Card notes:

This card comes from the first series (without footnotes) of which 15 players from Tottenham are depicted. Woodward can be found with both Grapnel and Imperial backs (shown above).

15. Sam Hardy – Football League Career 1902–1926

The second goalkeeper on the List is the legendary Liverpool keeper Sam Hardy. Hardy is widely regarded as the best keeper of his era. Hardy started as a backup at Liverpool for another great keeper Ned Doig who was nearing the end of career. Once established, Hardy became known for his unfazeable character and earned the nickname “safe-and-steady Sam”. As Jesse Pennington said reflecting back on the period, “Hardy was the greatest goalkeeper of them all”.

Rookie Card: Year 1907 – Manufacturer Taddy and Co. – Set Name – Prominent Footballers  – Card Number –  Unnumbered

Image Source: Taddy Prominent Footballers

Card notes:
The Taddy series was released in three series 1907, 1908 and 1914.  Hardy is included in the first series which has two back types Imperial and “Grapnel” Mixture. Hardy is part of the Grapnel Mixture backs.  Also, there is no footnote on this card unlike some other cards later in the series.

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.