Norman Wilkinson (9 June 1910 – 18 May 1975) was an English footballer who played in the

Football League The English Football League (EFL) is a league of professional football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888 as the Football League, the league is the oldest such competition in the world. It was the top-level football league in Engla ...

for

Stoke City Stoke City Football Club is a professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England, which competes in the . Founded as Stoke Ramblers in 1863, it changed its name to Stoke in 1878 and then to Stoke City in 1925 after Stoke ...

Career

Born in Tantobie,

County Durham County Durham ( ), officially simply Durham,UK General Acts 1997 c. 23Lieutenancies Act 1997 Schedule 1(3). From legislation.gov.uk, retrieved 6 April 2022. is a ceremonial county in North East England.North East Assembly �About North East E ...

, on 9 June 1910, Wilkinson a collier, began with junior side Tanfield Lea as a centre-half. He then played for

West Stanley South Moor is a village in County Durham, in England. It is located to the south-west of Stanley, County Durham, Stanley on the northern slope of the Craghead valley. It is a well-developed village, yet still semi-rural, containing a main street ...

on the Durham Coalfield where he began to play as a goalkeeper. At the age of twenty he signed for Huddersfield Town, where he played second fiddle to England international Hugh Turner. Bob McGrory wary of Stoke's lack of a decent goalkeeper signed Wilkinson from Huddersfield's reserves for just £100 in July 1935. At and just Wilkinson had a slightly sullen look, with heavy eyebrows and a balding pate and would often walk around his penalty area nervously pulling up his woollen gloves. Although he did not inspire confidence he proved to be a fine shot stopper. His main weakness was a penchant for dropping crosses when under pressure from centre forwards. He remained first choice until World War II when he returned to the north east and guested for Hull City, Sheffield Wednesday, Nottingham Forest and Doncaster Rovers. On being demobbed Wilkinson had suffered hardship having seen action in France and was in poor physical condition. This led to the Stoke directors attempting to terminate his employment. Wilkinson protested to the FA and the law stated that all returning service men would be entitled to their old job. He won his case and Stoke made him fourth choice 'keeper behind Dennis Herod,

Emmanuel Foster Emmanuel Foster (4 December 1921 – December 1965) was an English footballer who played in the Football League for Stoke City. Career Foster played for Mow Cop before joining Stoke during World War II. He made one appearance for Stoke in the F ...

and

Arthur Jepson Arthur Jepson (12 July 1915 – 17 July 1997) was an English first-class cricketer who played for Nottinghamshire before becoming an umpire. In addition to cricket he was also an accomplished football goalkeeper who played over 100 games in t ...

. He seemed to be drifting to retirement but due to Herod being injury prone Wilkinson was handed a last chance against

Blackpool Blackpool is a seaside resort in Lancashire, England. Located on the North West England, northwest coast of England, it is the main settlement within the Borough of Blackpool, borough also called Blackpool. The town is by the Irish Sea, betw ...

on the penultimate fixture of the 1948–49 season. He produced a fine display including a ''wonder save'' from City legend Stanley Matthews as Stoke won 3–2. His final appearance for Stoke came against his old club Huddersfield Town and Wilkinson kept a clean sheet in a 0–0 draw. He was aged 41 years and 275 days the fourth oldest player to appear for Stoke.

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* {{DEFAULTSORT:Wilkinson, Norman 1910 births 1975 deaths Military personnel from County Durham People from Tantobie Footballers from County Durham English men's footballers Men's association football goalkeepers English Football League players Huddersfield Town A.F.C. players Stoke City F.C. players West Stanley F.C. players Oswestry Town F.C. players British military personnel of World War II