Jimmy Thorpe

James Horatio "Jimmy" Thorpe ( born September 16, 1913 in Jarrow, † February 5, 1936 in Sunderland ) was an English football goalkeeper.

Career

Thorpe worked as a mechanic in the Palmer's shipyard in Jarrow and signed in September 1930 a professional contract with FC Jarrow in the North Eastern League, just two weeks before he moved up to 250 pounds fee for Sunderland AFC in the Football League First Division.

After just 17 -year-old made ​​his league debut on 25 October 1930 he set in 1932 at a young goalkeeper age of 19 as starting player by. In the 1935/36 season, Sunderland was on his way to the championship, as Thorpe died suddenly on February 5, 1936. Only four days earlier, was Thorpe, who was dependent diabetes due to regular insulin supply, in a hard-fought league game against Chelsea in goal, in which he had to take several kicks in a crowd, the game then was able to continue but.

An investigator Tung the Football Association later came to believe that a blow to his head in this game was the catalyst for the Diabetic coma from which he never awoke. Sunderland finished the season with eight points clear as champion, Thorpe Cup medal to his widow was presented. As a result of his death and several other goalkeeper injuries the rules by the FA, were in relation to the Offense of goalkeepers, aggravated.

Achievements

• English Champion: 1935/36, ( posthumously )