Cannon Frank Image 1 Queen’s Park Rangers 1908

Description

Ware, Hertfordshire born inside right Frank Cannon began his career with hometown club Hitchin Town, whilst working for a firm of solicitors. Described as “a dashing player and good dribbler with a fine shot”, he joined Southern League club Queen’s Park Rangers in April 1907. He helped Rangers to win the Southern League Championship in 1907-08 and scored a hat trick in a game against West Ham United in April 1908. He scored for QPR in the first ever FA Charity Shield game at Stamford Bridge in 1908. His goal cancelled out that of Manchester United’s Billy Meredith, and took the game to a replay, which United won 4-0. QPR went on to finish 15th in 1908-09.

His earlier performance had impressed West Ham manager Syd King and in 1909 he was persuaded to join West Ham United in 1909. Cannon made his Irons debut against New Brompton on 1st January 1910 and he scored in his next game against Norwich City but he played just four competitive games in 1909-10, before moving on to New Brompton for the 1910-11 season.

Cannon joined Port Vale of The Central League in July 1911. He became the club’s top scorer with 18 goals in 1911-12. He helped the Vale lift the Staffordshire Senior Cup in 1912 and the Birmingham Senior Cup in 1913, but lost form during the 1912-13 season and departed the Athletic Ground in the summer of 1913 after 24 goals in 66 appearances.

On the outbreak of the First World War Cannon joined the British Army and quickly reached the rank of sergeant major. Cannon, a member of the Essex Regiment, was killed by shrapnel at Ypres on the Western Front on 15th February 1916 aged 27 and is buried at Potijze Cemetery in Belgium leaving behind a wife, Violet, and three children.