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Harry Hitchen

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Harry Hitchen
Personal information
Full name Henry Hitchen
Date of birth (1922-10-22)22 October 1922[1]
Place of birth Liverpool, England[1]
Date of death 9 April 1993(1993-04-09) (aged 70)[1]
Place of death Knowsley, England
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1]
Position(s) Central defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1946 Formby
1946–48 New Brighton 70 (2)
1948–53 Sheffield United 154 (15)
1953–54 Bury 2 (0)
1954 Wigan Athletic
Medal record
Sheffield United
Winner Second Division 1953
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Henry Hitchen (22 October 1922 – 9 April 1993) was a professional footballer who played as a central defender in the Football League. Born in Liverpool he represented local side Formby as an amateur before joining New Brighton. After turning professional he joined Sheffield United before finishing his league career with Bury.

Early life

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Growing up in Catherine Street, in Bootle, Liverpool, Hitchen played in local junior football for St Elizabeth's. His playing days were interrupted for service during World War II as a Royal Marine Commando in Burma, China and Egypt.[2]

Playing career

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Following the end of the war, Hitchen was playing at centre-half for Formby as an amateur, when he crossed the River Mersey to join Third Division club New Brighton in September 1946,[2] and within weeks made his Football League debut.[1] Outstanding displays for the best part of two seasons persuaded First Division side Sheffield United to part with £3,000 for Hitchen's services in the summer of 1948.[1]

Despite being a natural defender, manager Teddy Davison opted to play Hitchen as a centre forward for his debut against Portsmouth in September 1948.[1] Hitchen struggled with his new role and it was not until February of the following year that he became a regular in defence.[1] Although United were relegated at the end of his first term, Hitchen retained his place for three seasons, and was eventually appointed team captain.[1] Hitchen won a Second Division championship medal in 1952–53,[1] but had fractured his leg in January 1953 and played in only sixteen games.[1]

Following his injury problems, Hitchen moved to Bury in the summer of 1953, but made only two appearances before returning to Non-League football, this time in the Lancashire Combination with Wigan Athletic.[3]

Death

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Hitchen died in Knowsley, Merseyside in April 1993, aged 70.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Denis Clarebrough & Andrew Kirkham (2008). Sheffield United Who's Who. Hallamshire Press. pp. 160–161. ISBN 978-1-874718-69-7.
  2. ^ a b Tommy Barnes (1991). The Bootle Connection. Seymour Print.
  3. ^ Brown, Neil. "SHEFFIELD UNITED : 1946/47 - 2012/13". Post War English & Scottish Football League A – Z Player's Database. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
  4. ^ "Registration District: Knowsley, Register Number: B27, District and Subdistrict: 0231B, Entry number: 276". England & Wales, Death Index, 1916-2007. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
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