Clarrie the CCFC goal machine

On this day (9th November) 87 years ago, in 1935, in the first part of CCFC's Division Three South Championship winning season, the 'Bantams' got one of their best ever home wins. On their way to the title they won 24 out of their 42 games, racking up big scores at home and only losing once (but that was to come in December). The free scoring side scored three or more eighteen times during the season and scored 'The Old Five' or more on seven occasions in clocking up their 108 league goals! They went on to take the D3S title by a point from Luton Town.

On this day the victims were Crystal Palace, managed by Tom Bromilow, and 20,818 saw them sent packing to the tune of eight goals to one which remained their biggest win of the season. City's 'goal machine' Clarrie Bourton got his second hat-trick of the season (making it eleven so far) having come back into the team after missing the previous two games. The rest of the damage to the Glaziers was done by Welsh international Les Jones and George McNestry (who both got a brace) and Jock Lauderdale also chipped in with a goal.

Les opened the scoring with a quick double each side of the ten minute mark, Jock scored his just after the half hour and Clarrie got his first on 37 minutes to send CCFC 4-0 up at half time. Former Coventry City player Bob Birtley pulled one back for the Palace after 65 minutes but then the CCFC goal avalanche (four goals in nine minutes) resumed in the last twenty minutes of the game.

First, George opened his account in the seventieth minute, then Clarrie completed his hat-trick with goals on 71 and 76 minutes and ten minutes from time George finished the job. Palace went home with their tails between their legs on the wrong end of an 8-1 defeat!

Clarrie Bourton

Clarrie's record strike rate was 180 in 241 first team outings (1931-38) whilst Les scored 74 goals in his 145 CCFC first team appearances (1933-38) before being transferred to Arsenal by legendary manager Harry Storer.

City's team that day was:-

Horace Pearson, Vic Brown, Charlie Bisby, Billy Frith, George Mason, Harry Boileau, George McNestry, 'Jock' Lauderdale, Clarrie Bourton, Les Jones and Arthur Fitton

Tom Bromilow's Glaziers XI lined up as follows:-

Ronald Dunn, Edward Owens, Albert Thorpe, William Turner, Jimmy Wilde, William Smith, Bob Birtley, Ernest Waldron, Ronnie Rooke, Albert Dawes and Bob Bigg Referee:- H.Mee (Mansfield)

Billy Frith

Billy Frith later went on to manage Coventry City twice! City went on to embarrass the Palace again the following January when they went to Selhurst Park in the semi final of the Division Three South Cup and won 2-1 with goals from Clarrie and Billy Lake.

The Bantams eventually went on to win the trophy in a two leg final versus Swindon Town (winning both legs).

The Glaziers eventually got league revenge in February winning 3-1 at Selhurst Park. City's goal was scored by, guess who, Clarrie Bourton!

CCFC 1935-36

Newport County and Exeter City finished as the bottom two in the Division and needed to seek re-election to the Football League. Both succeeded!

Thanks to CCFPA's Mike Young for sourcing the images. Share Post