Harry Springthorpe played for Stamford Town whilst still a pupil at Stamford Grammar School, playing in the forward line, as a winger or an inside forward. Born in April 1886 he first played for the Town when he was only fourteen and still at School. His brother remembered him whilst at school scoring twenty-one goals in one match against a St Neots boys’ team. Early reports mention his skills on the left wing, and he played for Stamford against Desborough Town in the 1901-02 season final of the Stamford Infirmary Cup and against Irthlingborough in the 1902-03 season final of the Hinchingbrooke Cup, as well as numerous league games.

On leaving School he joined the Stamford, Spalding and Boston Banking Company which had premises on Broad Street in Stamford. After working in Melton Mowbray, he moved to work in the Northampton branch and after playing for Wolverton for a short time he signed for Northampton Town. He played for the Cobblers from 1904 to 1908, making fifty-five appearances and scoring fourteen goals. His job then took him to Grimsby, and he soon signed for Grimsby Town, and although remaining an amateur played for their first team in the Football League when his work allowed.

He represented the England amateur national side, playing for England against Wales at Huddersfield on February 19th, 1910, England won 6-0 with Harry scoring a goal. He also played for the England Wanderers and on a tour to Germany and Austria-Hungary he scored twenty-five goals, nearly half of the total achieved by the tea. He also toured Italy with another English Amateur team

At the outbreak of the first World War he enlisted with the Lincolnshire Yeomanry and he found himself with his Unit aboard the S.S.Mercian in the eastern Mediterranean when it was attacked by a U Boat. In this incident on November 3rd, 1915, although the ship was not sunk. Harry was injured as a result of a shell burst and died of his wounds. He was buried at sea.

At the time he was a Lance Corporal and is remembered on the Helles Memorial overlooking the Dardanelles, also his name appears on the All-Saints’ War Memorial in Stamford and the town War Memorial in Broad Street.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.

Article supplied with thanks from Chris Hunt