Tottenham Mysteries - Still Missing

Last year we explored the inconsistencies that range around just how many Spurs players have played for England. In ‘The Missing International’ we looked at Frank Hartley who seems to be the anomaly.  Further research has thrown up some interesting information about Frank and his career, but does it answer the Question, was he a Spurs player at the time?

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You may like to take a moment to re-visit the original article @
http://www.indiaspurs.com/blog/tottenham-mysteries-the-missing-international

As we discovered earlier, various data bases credit Frank’s England appearance to different clubs. The Daily Herald in August 1923, giving an update on an injury states he is still on Spurs amateur list, this at the time when he was turning out for both Oxford and Corinthians. We should of course be weary of the newspapers and I can find no further supporting evidence.
The club very kindly passed on a copy of some of Andy Porter’s hand written notes. Possibly as good as it gets regarding our history. This is marked next to his England appearance ‘as Oxford player.’  Did we however still hold his registration? I expect we will never be fully confident in an answer. Does it matter if the current figure is 77 or 78, or maybe it will when we reach 99.

The Daily Herald - August 1923

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Since that first article a little more digging has revealed some more interesting points on Frank’s life. Frank was a member of the full England squad another three occasions after his one full appearance but did not feature.  Described at the time as a fine close dribbler with a grand shot he was regarded as one of the finest amateur players in the country and was the amateur player of the year in 1924. Another writer said of him ‘Hartley would bring delight to the heart of the old time soccer player who worshiped at the shrine of the individualist for he is first and foremost a solo player.’ Elsewhere he is described as being a fine shot and horseman.  He had earlier spent three years in the Queens Own Oxfordshire Hussars fighting in France during WW1.

His international career at amateur level could also see us opening a ‘Mysteries’ file as various sources seem to conflict. I’ve said previously we should also be careful what we read in the papers and the number of goals he scored at this level varies. It does seem however that he won seven amateur caps between 1922 – 26. He scored a hat trick V Ireland in November 1922. The Athletic News stating ‘The achievement was quite appropriate for Hartley was the best man on the field.’ Another goal followed V Wales the following January (both times playing alongside Billy Minter.)

Going through the match reports from the press at the time he is given one (not two as in some soures) V South Africa in October 1924. Netting from Hagan’s cross for the winner in a 3-2 game.  The following month there is one goal, again V Ireland before a second game with South Africa (they were on a 24 game tour). This game at White Hart Lane in front of 3,000 was watched by Prince and Princess Arthur of Connaught. Hartley opened the scoring midway through the first half but The African side were 2-1 up at half time. Hartley scored the second midway through the second half when the goalie failed to hold a shot. England won again, 3-2 and reports claim Hartley ‘missed a fine opportunity of completing his hat trick,’ whilst other sources do credit him with one in this game. Frank also captained The Rest V England in an international trial game.

COYS
Keith Harrison.
t- Keith 16024542
f - https://www.facebook.com/keith.harrison.9659
My profile / archive is @ http://www.indiaspurs.com/keith_harrison.html

Other 'mysteries' can be found @ http://www.indiaspurs.com/blog/the-lilywhite-files
Top picture - France V England, The first meeting between the countries 1923 and Hartley's only full cap.

Notes – Sincere thanks to John and Paul at THFC. Also England Stats, England on Line, My Football Facts, Bob Goodwin, mehstg, 11v11, and a whole host of newspapers local and national far too expansive  to list here.