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Harry Prince

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Harry Prince
Personal information
Full name Harold Prince[1]
Date of birth (1921-12-04)4 December 1921[1]
Place of birth Stoke-on-Trent, England[1]
Date of death 2009 (aged 87–88)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
Bucknall
Port Vale
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1941–1943 Port Vale 0 (0)
1943–1944 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 (0)
1944–1949 Port Vale 5 (0)
Stafford Rangers
Total 5+ (0+)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Harold Prince (4 December 1921 – 2009) was an English footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Port Vale, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Stafford Rangers.

Career

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Prince played for Bucknall, before graduating through the Port Vale youth side to sign professional forms with the Vale in September 1941.[1] With World War II raging, he transferred to Wolverhampton Wanderers in July 1943 without having played a game for the "Valiants".[1] He returned to The Old Recreation Ground in August 1944, making his debut in a 3–0 home win over Birmingham City in a Football League North match on 26 August 1944.[1] He became the first choice stopper until stubbing a foot whilst taking a goal kick in a 2–1 defeat by Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road on 30 December 1944.[1] In a display of poor sportsmanship, Crewe went ahead and scored as Prince lay injured on the ground.[1] He recovered, but lost his first-team spot in October 1945, at which point he was used as understudy to George Heppell.[1] In one rare appearance, on 18 April 1949, in a 1–1 draw with Bristol City at Ashton Gate, he managed to concede a 40 yards (37 m) 'punt' that sailed over his head.[1] It was most probably a major factor in the decision to release him from his contract later that month.[1] He had played fifty competitive games for the club, a good amount of experience to take into the non-leagues with Stafford Rangers.[1]

Career statistics

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Source:[2]

Club Season Division League FA Cup Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Port Vale 1947–48 Third Division South 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
1948–49 Third Division South 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Total 5 0 0 0 0 0 5 0

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. p. 240. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
  2. ^ Harry Prince at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)