Call for tribute to Co Derry Rangers star
EAST Derry MP Gregory Campbell has urged the British Government to commemorate the life of a Co Derry footballer who starred for Glasgow Rangers and Liverpool.
Sam English, from Aghadowey, near Coleraine, holds the record for scoring the most goals ever for Rangers in a single season, netting 44. However, the prolific hitman is more often remembered for being involved in a challenge which resulted in the death of Celtic goalkeeper John Thompson.
As a life-long Rangers fan, Mr Campbell wants to commemorate English this year, to mark the 100th anniversary of his birth (August 18, 1908). He has tabled an early day motion in the House of Commons to ensure the striker be remembered for his achievements on the pitch and not for a brilliant career cut short by tragedy.
"He is a person of whom I would have thought people should be proud and his memory should be cherished," he said.
English and Thompson faced each other at Ibrox on September 5, 1931 in a match which would never be forgotten in Glasgow for the tragedy which unfolded.
Five minutes into the second half the 22 year-old goalkeeper and the 23 year-old Co Derry man collided about 12 yards from Thompson's goalline in a 50-50 challenge.
Grainy black and white footage of the clash, which can be viewed online at www.derryjournal.com, shows both players rushing to a loose ball and Thompson's head colliding with the knee of English as he dives to save. Thompson was rushed to the Victoria Infirmary in Glasgow, where he died later that day.
Despite being cleared of any blame by an official enquiry and going on a blistering run to score a record 44 goals that season, the event cast a dark shadow the career of English - who was deeply traumatised. He was taunted and jeered by away crowds wherever he played.
At the end of 1933, he left Rangers for Liverpool FC, where he scored 26 times in 50 games. However, the jeering followed him and he retired from professional football aged 28. He died aged 58 after battling motor neurone disease.
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