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Harry Linacre (1881-1957) - one of three Aston men honoured by England in a six year spell

The Forest keeper Linacre is singled out for 'special treatment' in this mock 'funeral card' issued in the early 1900s to celebrate a famous Derby County victory over their great rivals

JAMES HENRY LINACRE, popularly known as 'Harry' Linacre, was one of the select group of Derbyshire-born men to play football for England. A brilliant goalkeeper with a particularly long reach, he was selected twice in 1905, finishing on the winning side on both occasions, restricting Wales to a single goal and keeping a clean sheet against Scotland.

Harry Linacre was born in Aston on Trent, Derbyshire, on 26 March 1881. In his teens he played for Loughborough Grammar School, then assisted Aston on Trent FC and Draycott Mills FC before signing for Derby County in December 1898.

He played only two games for the Rams before being let go to Nottingham Forest in August 1899. That move formed part of a curious hat-trick, for his uncles the Forman brothers - Frank and Fred - were also born in Aston, played for England, signed for Derby and were sold to Forest! Incidentally, some sources say Linacre was the Formans' brother-in-law, which is not correct - he was their nephew.

Selling Linacre to Forest proved rather a slip up on the part of the Derby County committee, for the Derbyshire man proved one of the greatest custodians in Forest's history. By the time he left the club in 1909 he had made 335 League and Cup appearances for the Reds and assured himself of lasting legendary status.

After he finished playing he carried on a building contractors business in partnership with his uncle Frank Forman.

Harry Linacre died in Nottingham on 11 May 1957, aged 76.

It must be considered quite remarkable that a village the size of Aston on Trent should produce three men who played for England within a six year spell, and all with family connections. Perhaps it would be fitting for a modest memorial of some kind to be placed in the village in honour of the 'Aston three'.

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County:  Derbyshire

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