Bob Griffith


Real Name: Robert Griffith
Normal Position: Outside Right
Born: 28/09/1907 (Dublin)
Died: 19/01/1976 (Tottenham, London)

Heritage Number: 611
Debut Match*: 15/04/1933 v Tranmere Rovers (Football League)
Last Match*: 03/11/1934 v Chesterfield (Football League)
* Qualifying Games


That unusual breed — a Dublin-born Irish Protestant — Bob Griffith trained as a locksmith and after early spells at various clubs in The Irish Free State, came over to play for Spurs in 1931, but never got past the reserve team. Back in Ireland he represented Drumcondra before becoming one of several Irish signings made by Jimmy Commins when the latter brought him to Southport.This speedy outside-right who could run 100 yards in 10.4 seconds rarely displayed his best form at Haig Avenue due to the attitude of certain sections of the crowd but invariably excelled away. It was from his misdirected corner that Jimmy Watt scored his celebrated long-range goal! He missed only one game (through a groin strain) in 1933—34, making 40 appearances at outside-right and scoring in 4 successive games — including one at centre-forward, a position he retained for the Workington Cup-tie. Transferred to Walsall at a fee, he only managed 8 League appearances — yet made up for missing an earlier opportunity v. Belgium when he represented the Irish Free State v. Hungary on 15 December 1934. Surprisingly, he retired in 1935 and lived out his life in the Harringay area, working in ironmongery and eventually becoming a warehouse manager. Though grounded in World War II, he served the RAF checking bombs onto planes departing for raids. After retirement in 1966 he had both legs amputated but still got about in an invalid car until his death at 68.

Profile reproduced with Permission from:
The Sandgrounders: The Complete League History of Southport F. C., by Michael Braham and Geoff Wilde (Palatine Books, 1995). ISBN 978-1-874181-14-9

Southport Playing Stats

First Team

Heritage Qualifying League Only Cup Only Other Only All
Season Qualifying Starts Qualifying Subs Qualifying Appearances Qualifying Goals League Starts League Subs Total League Appearances League Goals Cup Starts Cup Subs Total CupAppearances Cup Goals Other Starts Other Subs Total Other Appearances Other Goals Total Starts Total Subs Total Appearances Total Goals
1932/19333(0)313(0)311(0)100(0)004(0)41
1933/193445(0)45841(0)4188(0)810(0)0049(0)499
1934/193513(0)13113(0)1311(0)100(0)0014(0)141
Total61(0)611057(0)571010(0)1010(0)0067(0)6711

Transfers


Season Date Club From Standard From Club To Standard To Value/Notes
1934/1935 08/11/1934 Southport First Team Walsall First Team




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