“CAPPED” FOR ENGLAND
WELL-DESERVED HONOUR FOR EX-EVESHAM FOOTBALLER
His many friends in the Evesham district and particularly in his native village of Wickhamford learned with gratification that Jack Haines, West Bromwich Albion’s inside-left, had been chose to play for England in the match against Switzerland to be played at Highbury on December 1.
On Saturday the Mayor of Evesham, Councillor F J Masters, sent the following telegram to Haines: “Hearty congratulations on your selection or the England team against Switzerland from the inhabitants of the Borough of Evesham”.
Another telegram was despatched to Haines from his native village which read: “Hearty congratulations, Wickhamford Football Club.”
WAS SURPRISED
No one was more surprised than Haines himself when he stepped off the train at Bradford with his team mates last Friday night and read in a newspaper that he had been selected.
“I wonder what my village team at Wickhamford will have to say about this?” was one of his first comments.
Now aged 27 years, Jack was born at Wickhamford where his home remains. His father is gardener for Mr G C Lees-Milne of Wickhamford Manor.
Jack was educated at Badsey Council School and not at Prince Henry’s Grammar School, as has been stated in some reports. At Badsey he was under the former headmaster, Mr F E Amos, himself a great football enthusiast. Jack played for the Badsey School eleven and even at that early age displayed uncanny ability, as indeed he did in every sphere of sport.
Leaving the classroom Jack went straight to Messrs Goodall’s garage to learn mechanical engineering but football was in his veins and his ability displayed with Badsey Rangers, Evesham Town (Birmingham Combination side) and Worcester City brought him to the notice of Liverpool FC for which club was signed professional forms. Jack was then only 17 and Evesham Town FC received a transfer fee of £100.
TRANSFER TO SWANSEA
Unable to command a place in the Liverpool first team, Jack was transferred to Swansea Town for whom he played until the outbreak of war.
For six years he served in the RAF, during which time he “guested” for many famous clubs. Mostly, however, he turned out for Lincoln City.
Upon his demobilisation, he returned to Swansea Town where he gave invaluable service as a utility player, figuring in both the half-back and forward line, but not long after an operation for the removal of a cartilage, he was transferred again. His new club was Leicester City where he remained for almost a season until in March this year, as part exchange for Peter McKennan, he moved to West Bromwich Albion. He quickly became a favourite at the Hawthorns where, in 37 games he has scored 13 goals.
Although his selection seems to have occasioned some surprise, it was known that Walter Winterbottom, the England team manager, was impressed by the recent form shown by Haines in club matches.
NEVER SPOILED HIM
Success has never spoiled him (writes a correspondent) and it is the same Jack Haines who, in the close season, comes along to The Sandys Arms, Wickhamford, with a smile and a cheery word for everyone, and a liking for a game of shove-halfpenny, at which he is more than useful.
Everyone at Wickhamford has followed his career with the greatest interest, and there will be a few wireless sets that are not tuned in at Wickhamford on December 1. But perhaps his greatest fan is his mother. Mrs Haines’ most proud possession is a great pile of newspaper cuttings and photographs from which she can trace his career from A to Z.
Good luck to Jack Haines on his great day!
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The following week, on 4th December 1948, there was a brief report of Jack Haines’ success in the match.
Well Done, Haines!
Jack Haines, the former Evesham Town and Wickhamford footballer, exceeded all expectations by scoring two of England’s six goals against Switzerland at Arsenal Stadium on Thursday. He headed England’s first goal in the fifth minute and was on the target with another header for his side’s third goal.