Arthur Hepworth

Who is Arthur Hepworth?

Arthur Hepworth was an English professional footballer, who played as a half-back. He was the son of Walter Hepworth, who assisted Barnsley in the Football League during the late 1890s, and was also related to Ronnie Hepworth, who played over 100 league matches for Bradford. A native of Wombwell, South Yorkshire, he played youth football with Worsbrough Communion and Dodsworth, and represented the Yorkshire schoolboys team. In 1926 he joined Barnsley, but failed to break into the first team during his two years with the club.

In March 1928, Hepworth moved from Barnsley to struggling Football League Third Division North club Nelson, along with inside forward George Hayes. He made his debut for the Lancashire outfit in the 5–4 win against Hartlepools United at Seedhill. He went on to make 10 appearances during the remainder of the 1927–28 campaign as the side finished bottom of the division and were forced to apply for re-election to the League. In the summer of 1928 Nelson signed two new wing-halves, Jim Metcalfe and David Suttie, meaning Hepworth spent the majority of the 1928–29 season in the reserves.