Albert Iremonger
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 15 June 1884 | ||
| Place of birth | Wilford, England | ||
| Date of death | 9 March 1958 (aged 73) | ||
| Playing position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| Nottingham Jardines Athletic | |||
| 1905–1925 | Notts County | 564 | (0) |
| 1926 | Lincoln City | 35 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. | |||
Albert Iremonger (15 June 1884 – 9 March 1958) was a football goalkeeper, county-class cricketer and brother of sportsmen Harry Iremonger and James Iremonger.[1]
Early life
Albert Iremonger was born in Wilford, Nottinghamshire on 15 June 1884. He was the younger brother of James Iremonger and older brother of Harry Iremonger [1]
Footballing career
Although Iremonger never played at an international level, he was widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of his time and is a local legend in his home county of Nottinghamshire. It is also believed Iremonger was the tallest player in the league at the time, measuring 6 ft 5in[2][3]
Notts County
Albert Iremonger signed for Notts County from local minnows Notts Jardines, making his debut against Sheffield Wednesday on 1 April 1905. In total he made 564 appearances for the club making 211 consecutive appearances[3] and holds the club record for this. Spending 21 years with the club, he totalled 37 FA Cup appearances over 22 seasons before leaving the club to join Lincoln City.
His exceptional performances for the club earned him a Football League cap in 1912. As a testament to his character and legendary status within the community, a road behind the club grounds was named for him. It is still said amongst Notts County fans that he had "hands like the claws of a JCB".[4]
Lincoln City
Albert Iremonger signed for Lincoln City aged 42, becoming their oldest ever player. Although he was a short-term signing, he made 35 appearances for the club from 1926 to 1927.
Temperament
Iremonger was well noted for his outspoken nature on the football pitch, which led to the end of his 211 consecutive appearances for Notts County. He would often leave his goal-mouth to argue decisions made by match officials sometimes situated in the centre of the pitch.
Cricketing career
Iremonger played county cricket for Nottinghamshire, his career spanning between 1906 and 1910. He played with a right-handed batting and bowling style.
Children
Albert Iremonger and his wife Margaret Iremonger fathered Albert Harvey Iremonger in 1920, who went on to become a Sergeant-Pilot in the RAF. He was killed in action on 14 July 1943, aged 23.[5]
Later life
Much later on in his life, during the 1940s, Iremonger was the landlord of the Cremorne[2] in The Meadows Nottingham and later The Ferry Inn Wilford before his death on 9 March 1958.
References
- 1 2 "Oh brother! War hero was also a goalkeeper". Nottingham Post. Retrieved 2015-12-14.
- 1 2 Nottingham Evening Post Bygones page 33 Friday 2 May 2008 edition
- 1 2 The Legends of Notts County, Dave Bracegirdle 2005 page 91 ISBN 1859834639
- ↑ Francis, Tony (8 September 2003). "Tears not necessary as Notts County survive - Football News - Telegraph". London: www.telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-10-16.
- ↑ Roll of Honour - Lincolnshire - Gedney Hill and District Memorial Hall