Rex Malcolm Adams (13 February 1928 – 14 January 2014) was an English professional
footballer who played as a winger. He played in
the Football League with
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 ...
and
Oldham Athletic.
Career
Adams was given a trial by Blackpool in April 1948 while on the books of
Oxford City. He was signed for ''the Tangerines''
1948–49 campaign on 29 May, and was marked as being one of
Stanley Matthews'
understudies
In theater, an understudy, referred to in opera as cover or covering, is a performer who learns the lines and blocking or choreography of a regular actor, actress, or other performer in a play. Should the regular actor or actress be unable to ap ...
.
He made his League debut for Blackpool on 25 September 1948 as a deputy for Matthews, who was on international duty, in a single-goal victory over
Liverpool at
Bloomfield Road.
When
Billy Wardle
William Wardle (20 January 1918 – January 1989) was an English professional footballer born in Hetton-le-Hole, County Durham, who played as an outside left. He made 239 appearances in the Football League playing for Southport, Manchester C ...
was injured later in the season, Adams had a four-game run at outside left and then, when Matthews was injured, at outside right for four games. It was in his first game in the latter position that he scored the only goal of the game in a victory over
Portsmouth on 9 April 1949.
At the end of his maiden season, he had played nine League games.
It wasn't until 7 January, in the following
1948–49 season, that Adams returned to the first team as cover for the injured Wardle. He played four League games this season.
Due to a lack of first-team opportunities due to the presence of Stanley Matthews, coupled with the signing of
Bill Perry, Adams requested a transfer in May 1950. The directors turned down the request. He initially refused the club's terms for the
1950–51 season, but eventually re-signed, on the eve of the campaign.
He had to wait until 14 April for his next League appearance. He played two other games that campaign, which proved to be his final ones for the club.
Adams joined non-League
Worcester City
Worcester City Football Club is an English football club based in Worcester, Worcestershire. The club play in the Midland Football League, the ninth tier of English football. Established in 1902, the club play at Claines Lane.
Worcester City ...
in September 1952, before returning to the Football League when he signed for Second Division
Oldham Athletic the following June.
He went on to play for
Northwich Victoria
{{Infobox UK place
, static_image_name = Northwich - Town Bridge.jpg
, static_image_caption = Town Bridge, the River Weaver and the spire of Holy Trinity Church
, official_name = Northwich
, country ...
, either side of a spell with
Mossley, before retiring in the close season of 1957.
Post-retirement
Adams became a salesman for the ''
Manchester Evening News'', but continued to live on Bloomfield Road, close to the football ground where he made his League debut.
Personal life
Adams was married to Muriel. He had two children, Ken and Mark.
Death
Adams died on 14 January 2014, aged 85.
References
External links
*
Obituary
{{DEFAULTSORT:Adams, Rex
1928 births
2014 deaths
English footballers
Association football wingers
Oxford City F.C. players
Blackpool F.C. players
Worcester City F.C. players
Oldham Athletic A.F.C. players
Northwich Victoria F.C. players
Mossley A.F.C. players
English Football League players
Footballers from Oxford