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Francis O'Hara

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Francis O'Hara
Personal information
Date of birth (1883-08-31)31 August 1883
Place of birth Coatbridge, Scotland
Date of death 12 July 1915(1915-07-12) (aged 31)
Place of death Gallipoli, Çanakkale, Turkey
Position(s) Centre forward
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Strathclyde
Albion Rovers
1905–1906 Chelsea 1 (0)
Albion Rovers
Wigan Town
Birmingham City
Pendlebury
Royal Albert
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Francis O'Hara (31 August 1883 – 12 July 1915) was a Scottish footballer who played as a centre forward.

Club career

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O'Hara began his footballing career in his native Scotland with both Strathclyde and Albion Rovers before a move to English side Chelsea in August 1905.[1] He played for one season with Chelsea, playing once in the league, and twice in the FA Cup, where he scored three goals.[1] He returned to Albion Rovers in the summer of 1906, before going on to play for Wigan Town, Birmingham City, Pendlebury and Royal Albert.[1]

Military career

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O'Hara signed up for the army in December 1899, lying about his age and joining the Highland Light Infantry.[1][2] He served in South Africa and Egypt, serving until late 1904, but remaining a reservist until 1913.[1] At the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, O'Hara reenlisted in the Highland Light Infantry, and was killed in action only a year later, on 12 July 1915, in the Gallipoli Campaign.[1]

He was commemorated in Chelsea's Roll of Honour on Armistice Day 2021.[2]

Personal life

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O'Hara assaulted a police officer in Fulham on 24 April 1906, and after failing to appear at a summons, he was arrested in his hometown of Coatbridge, Scotland, and brought back to London on 29 September 1906. He was quoted as saying "I am very sorry, but I am glad the bottle did not hit you", and was ordered to pay 10 shillings or spend one day in prison.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Rowley, Andrew (17 September 2021). "Francis 'Frank' O'Hara – 31st August 1883 to 12th July 1915". wlv.ac.uk. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  2. ^ a b Banks, Ben (1 November 2021). "Chelsea to bestow Armistice Day honour on former Albion Rovers ace". dailyrecord.co.uk. Retrieved 15 February 2023.