Albert Shepherd

Who was Albert Shepherd?

Albert Shepherd was an English footballer. He played centre forward for Newcastle United between 1908 to 1914.

Born in Great Lever, Bolton, Lancashire, England, Shepherd had already scored 90 goals in 123 games for his home town club Bolton Wanderers when Newcastle United paid the then record fee of £800 for his services.. He made his debut for Newcastle in a 4–0 away win at Nottingham Forest a game in which he scored his first goal for his new club. The following week he made his home debut against fierce rivals Sunderland. At half time the score was 1–1 with Shepherd having scored Newcastle's goal from a penalty but in the second half Sunderland scored 8 more goals without reply and won the game 9–1. This still stands as Newcastle's biggest ever home defeat. Undaunted, both Newcastle and Shepherd went on to have a fine season in which the club won the First Division Championship and Shepherd ended the season as Newcastle's top scorer with 15 league and cup goals. Shepherd was known for having a ferocious shot which on some occasions even carried the goalkeeper over the line as well as the ball. He was also noted for being a very charismatic and playful character.