Percival Jack Image 1 Manchester City 1937

Description

Pittington, County Durham born right half and later left half Jack Percival began his football career with Low Pittington from where he joined North Eastern League club Durham City in 1931. He signed for First Division club Manchester City in October 1932, making his Football League debut against Aston Villa in October 1933. Initially a fringe player, he broke into The Citizens’ first team on a regular basis from December 1935, replacing Matt Busby who was sold to Liverpool, and he was an ever present in 1936-37 as Manchester City won the League Championship, and in November 1937 he played as City won the FA Charity Shield, beating Sunderland 2-0 at Maine Road. IHowever in one if the great turnarounds he then missed only two matches as Manchester City were relegated at the end of the season, whereupon his career was severely interrupted by the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939.

After the War, Percival returned to Maine Road and played 16 matches in their first post war season as they won the Second Division Championship, losing his place in November 1946, but after 8 goals in 174 matches he joined Third Division (South) club Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic in May 1947, where he converted to left half. He had two seasons at Dean Court, scoring once in 55 matches, before returning to the north east in the summer of 1949 to join Murton Colliery Welfare. A year later he played for Shotton Colliery Welfare, his final club before his eventual retirement.