Harold Prince (4 December 1921 – 2009) was an English footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Port Vale, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Stafford Rangers.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Harold Prince[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 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 | |||
Career
editPrince 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
editSource:[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 | ||