Freddie Wilcox

Who was Freddie Wilcox?

Frederick James "Freddie" Wilcox was an English professional footballer who played as an inside-left. He spent most of his playing career in the First Division of the Football League with Small Heath / Birmingham and Middlesbrough.

Born in Bristol, England, Wilcox turned professional with Western League club Bristol Rovers in 1901. He soon attracted attention, and with six games remaining of the 1902–03 season he was transferred to Small Heath for a fee of £125 and a friendly match. He made a spectacular start, scoring twice on his debut and four times in the club's record league win, 12–0 against Doncaster Rovers. The following season he was joint leading scorer, though with only eight goals, as the newly promoted club established itself in the First Division. He was an excellent dribbler of the ball, and in 1904–05 played for the North in a North v. South England trial. In 1906 he moved to Middlesbrough where he played alongside Steve Bloomer and Alf Common. He had two good seasons at Middlesbrough before damaging his knee in a collision with a goalpost, an injury which forced his retirement in 1910. He married Annie Thompson in 1908 and they had 4 children.Leonard,Hilda, Malcolm & Ethel. He worked at Mitchells and Butlers Brewery. He died in Birmingham in 1958 aged about 76. His brother Harry Wilcox born 1875 Bristol also did well at sports and played Rugby League for Leeds.