Jack Southworth

Early career

He began his football career at the age of 7 when he helped form a junior club named Inkerman Rangers. According to sources and Jack Southworth played for Brookhouse Perseverance F.C. before signing for Blackburn Olympic in 1883. In 1883–84 Blackburn Olympic reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup but, as Southworth was only 17 it was unlikely he played. Blackburn Olympic were beaten 4-0 by Queen's Park (Glasgow). While at Blackburn Olympic Southworth graduated to the first team. He was offered a place by Blackburn Rovers but refused. While at Olympic he turned out for Higher Walton and made guest appearances for Accrington and Vale of Lune, where he suffered knee injuries that threatened his career and forced him to play as a goalkeeper for a time. A keen musician, his love of music took him to Chester, where he also turned out as a goalkeeper. Just before Christmas 1886 he returned to Blackburn Olympic and was restored to his old position of centre-forward. He moved to Blackburn Rovers in 1887. In the 1885–86 season, despite having signed professional for Chester earlier in the season, he turned out for Blackburn Olympic in their First Round FA Cup match. As a result of the subsequent FA enquiry he was suspended for four months. (Source: Shooting Stars: The History of Blackburn Olympic, p. 70) A keen musician, he took a job with a theatre in Chester and returned to Olympic, resuming his old position of centre forward. Having overcome his injuries, he…

Blackburn Rovers

FA Cup winner: 1890 and 1891 "Golden Boot" (Top scorer in Football League): 1890–91 Everton

"Golden Boot" (Top scorer in Football League): 1893–94