John Sellars (28 April 1924 – 24 June 1985) was a footballer who played in the Football League for Stoke City. He made 384 appearances for Stoke. His father Harry was also a footballer who played for Stoke.[1][2]
Sellars was born in Highfold, Urpeth, County Durham but grew up in Stoke, joining his local club Stoke City where his father Harry had played 395 matches for.[2] He and a number of younger players played for Stoke during the War and was a regular in the side until the Football League resumed in 1946–47 where his place was taken by George Antonio.[2]Frank Mountford's injury in January opened the door for the 22-year-old Sellars to take his chance and he filled in a right half easily, playing a vital role as Stoke fell short of winning their first ever League title.[2] In 1947–48 Sellars had to fill in around Stoke's injury ravaged team, playing at full-back, right-wing and even centre-forward before finding his place at left-half replacing Jock Kirton despite being right footed.[2] Manager Bob McGrory described Sellars as 'a managers dream' for his willingness to play in any position. Known also for his consistency, Sellars was ever present in 1948–49 and missed only three games over the next two seasons.[2]
That run was ended in 1951–52 after he suffered from a slipped disc. Sellars recovered and was a regular under new manager Frank Taylor as Stoke were relegated in 1952–53 and were then left frustrated in the attempts to regain their First Division spot.[2] His career was ended in a FA Cup match against Bolton Wanderers in January 1958 after he suffered a bad injury to his eye which left him with recurring double vision for the rest of his life. He retired in May 1959 and went on to run his own business in Bristol and was in the process to selling up and moving to Spain when he died in June 1985.[2]
^John Sellars at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
January 06, 2023
john, sellars, footballer, john, sellars, april, 1924, june, 1985, footballer, played, football, league, stoke, city, made, appearances, stoke, father, harry, also, footballer, played, stoke, john, sellarspersonal, informationfull, namejohn, sellars, date, bir. John Sellars 28 April 1924 24 June 1985 was a footballer who played in the Football League for Stoke City He made 384 appearances for Stoke His father Harry was also a footballer who played for Stoke 1 2 John SellarsPersonal informationFull nameJohn Sellars 1 Date of birth28 April 1924 1 Place of birthStoke on Trent England 1 Date of death24 June 1985 1985 06 24 aged 61 1 Position s Left halfSenior career YearsTeamApps Gls 1944 1958Stoke City384 14 Club domestic league appearances and goalsCareer EditSellars was born in Highfold Urpeth County Durham but grew up in Stoke joining his local club Stoke City where his father Harry had played 395 matches for 2 He and a number of younger players played for Stoke during the War and was a regular in the side until the Football League resumed in 1946 47 where his place was taken by George Antonio 2 Frank Mountford s injury in January opened the door for the 22 year old Sellars to take his chance and he filled in a right half easily playing a vital role as Stoke fell short of winning their first ever League title 2 In 1947 48 Sellars had to fill in around Stoke s injury ravaged team playing at full back right wing and even centre forward before finding his place at left half replacing Jock Kirton despite being right footed 2 Manager Bob McGrory described Sellars as a managers dream for his willingness to play in any position Known also for his consistency Sellars was ever present in 1948 49 and missed only three games over the next two seasons 2 That run was ended in 1951 52 after he suffered from a slipped disc Sellars recovered and was a regular under new manager Frank Taylor as Stoke were relegated in 1952 53 and were then left frustrated in the attempts to regain their First Division spot 2 His career was ended in a FA Cup match against Bolton Wanderers in January 1958 after he suffered a bad injury to his eye which left him with recurring double vision for the rest of his life He retired in May 1959 and went on to run his own business in Bristol and was in the process to selling up and moving to Spain when he died in June 1985 2 Career statistics EditSource 3 Club Season Division League FA Cup TotalApps Goals Apps Goals Apps GoalsStoke City 1946 47 First Division 17 2 1 0 18 21947 48 First Division 31 2 2 1 33 31948 49 First Division 42 1 4 0 46 11949 50 First Division 40 3 1 0 41 31950 51 First Division 41 0 4 0 45 01951 52 First Division 23 4 4 0 27 41952 53 First Division 37 1 2 0 39 11953 54 Second Division 15 1 0 0 15 11954 55 Second Division 38 0 0 0 38 01955 56 Second Division 33 0 5 0 38 01956 57 Second Division 40 0 1 0 41 01957 58 Second Division 27 0 5 0 32 0Career Total 384 14 29 1 413 15References Edit a b c d e Matthews Tony 1994 The Encyclopaedia of Stoke City Lion Press ISBN 0 9524151 0 0 a b c d e f g h Stoke City 101 Golden Greats Desert Islands Books 2002 ISBN 1 874287554 John Sellars at the English National Football Archive subscription required Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title John Sellars footballer amp oldid 1003870387, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
