Frank Mountford
Introduction '''Frank Mountford''' (30 March 1923 – 27 June 2006) was an English footballer who played in the Football League for Stoke City.
Career Mountford was thought to be one of many local start players to emerge from the youth ranks at the Victoria Ground during the 1940s but Mountford was born in Askern near Doncaster and moved to Stoke-on-Trent as a young boy. He broke into the first team during World War II and became one of the finest servants the club have had. During the War league seasons Mountford played as a centre forward and scored 23 goals during the 1940–41 season and 20 in 1942–43.He gradually began to move out to defence and by the time Football League had resumed he was able to play in a number of positions and his best season in a Stoke shirt came in 1950–51 season where he played in every match at centre back in place of Neil Franklin who had caused controversy by moving to Colombia. He was a committed player who was always involved in the thick of the action and often required the attention of the club doctor. He retired in 1958 after making 425 appearances (600 including war league) scoring 24 goals. After hanging up his boots he moved to the back room staff and served as the club trainer and then coach until 1978.
Career statistics Source:+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsStoke City1945–46War League—80801946–47First Division260413011947–48First Division352203721948–49First Division405414461949–50First Division375003751950–51First Division422314531951–52First Division281303111952–53First Division375203951953–54Second Division411304411954–55Second Division400304301955–56Second Division150101601956–57Second Division390104001957–58Second Division11000110Career total3912134342524
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