LoAFRS 13 – Carter, Copping, Mercer

Legends of Association Football Rookie Series: Raich Carter, Wilf Copping and Joe Mercer

34. Raich Carter Football League Career 1932–1953

Born Horatio Stratton, but known in the football world as just Raich, Carter started his career at Sunderland in 1934, where he quickly became one of the best inside forwards in the game. Shortly after joining the team, he led Sunderland to League title in 1935 and following year to an FA Cup.

Like others on this list, the Second World War interrupted his career during his prime years of competition.

Carter was supremely confident in his ability and expected the same quality of his teammates. When he was transferred to Derby after the Second World War, he said: “Sunderland were sill to sell me and Derby were lucky to have me.” That statement turned out to be very true with Carter leading Derby to an FA Cup victory in his first year there.

Carter finished his shortened career with an impressive 216 goals in 415 games. He went on to become an successful manager including at time at Leeds United where he managed the Great John Charles.

Rookie Card: Year – 1934 – Manufacturer – Ardath Tabacco – Set – Famous Footballers- Card #34

Card Notes:
Raich is shown as H. (Horatio) Carter with Sunderland.

35. Wilf Copping – Football League Career 1930 – 1939

Wilf Copping is known for being one of the hardest players ever to play the game. He was a solid left and center half at Leeds, then Arsenal and back to Leeds.

Rookie Card: Year – 1932/33 – Manufacturer – Barratt – Set – Football Team Folders Division 1 – Card number – Unnumbered

Card Notes:

It could be argued that this card is a team card as opposed to a base rookie card; however, I have decided to include it as it is the first time Copping appears on a card to my knowledge. The Team cards were issued over three season starting in 1932/33 season. The cards from each year look very similar, but the earliest version of 1932/33 includes A. Stacey. Later versions include Roper and Firth in 1933 and 1934 respectively.

Rookie Card: Year – 1935 – Manufacturer – Ogden’s Cigarettes- Set – Football Caricatures – Card #5

Image Source: Personal Collection

Card Notes:
The first base card that I could find of Wilf Copping was issued as a Football Caricatures by Ogden’s in 1935. Like the Camsell rookie card, I feel that it is somewhat unfortunate first card.

36. Joe Mercer Football League Career 1932–1954

Joe Mercer, as a player was a top-notch defender first for Everton and later for Arsenal. He started his career at the top-tier in 1932 leading Everton to the league championship in 1937/38.

In 1946, Mercer moved to Arsenal, Arsenal, and soon became club captain. Arsenal moved from near bottom of the table to become League Champions in 1947-48. With Arsenal, he also won the FA Cup in 1950 along with the prestigious award of Footballer of the Year and his third League title in 1952-53.

In addition to his enormous success as a player, he became even more famous as the manager of Manchester City during its glory years of the 1960s.

Rookie Card 1: Year – 1936 – Manufacturer – Topical Times – Set – Footballers Panel Portraits (Coloured)- Card # Unnumbered.

Card Notes:
These panel portrait cards quite unusual due to their large size which measure 250 x 94mm. Topical Times also issued similar cards in black and white as well as miniature type cards; however, Mercer does not feature in these issues. Mercer was only 22 years old at the time this card was released.

Rookie Card 2: Year – 1936 – Manufacturer – Barratt and Co. – Set – Famous Footballers (Sepia) – Card # Unnumbered.

Image Source: Football Cartophillic Info Exchange

Card Notes:
This set was issued in 1936 – 37 by Barratt and Co. and are notable for having a sepia colour to the cards as opposed to black, which help differentiate it from a similar set issued from the year before.