Jack Short (footballer)


John "Jack" Short was an English footballer who played in the Football League for Barnsley, Stoke City and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Career

Short was born in Darfield, near Barnsley. He left Darfield Foulstone school in 1942 and worked as a coal miner for a few years, as his father worked in the mining industry. Short joined Wolverhampton Wanderers from non-league Wath Wanderers. He broke into Wolves' first team in December 1950 and played a key role as Stan Cullis' side reached the FA Cup semi final in 1950–51 losing in a replay to Newcastle United. Short spent the next three seasons at Molineux making the right back position his own and even played as a makeshift centre forward in January 1952 where he scored twice against Manchester City in the FA Cup. However injury saw him miss the remainder of the 1952–53 campaign and he played 27 times in 1953–54 as Wolves won the First Division title.
He left for Staffordshire rivals Stoke City in the summer of 1954 with Stoke aiming for a return to the top-flight. He played 31 times in 1954–55 as the "Potters" finished in 5th position with Short again being used as a back up forward scoring twice against Swansea Town in November 1954. He played 33 times in 1955–56 as Stoke ended in a poor position of 13th and Short was given a free transfer to his hometown club Barnsley. He was regular for the "Tykes" for three seasons, making his home debut against Liverpool on 20 October 1956. He retired from professional football at the end of the 1959–60 season.
After retirement Short went back to the mining industry, working as a coal miner, and later on the pit top, becoming a foreman.
Short collapsed and died on 10 October 1976 after a playing in a charity football match in Wombwell.

Career statistics

Source:

Honours

; Wolverhampton Wanderers