Apologies to the handful who loyally read my blog. So here's at least ONE of some length.
The Daily Express on May 15th 1950 reported in its sports' pages that (Cornelius) Neil Franklin and George Mountford (below with family) played their first game for the Sante Fe Club in Bogota, Colombia, helping them to a 3-2 victory over Medelli. It was not unknown for professionals from England to spend the last couple/few seasons of their careers abroad. (these days, of course, some of our best youngsters start abroad).
Some "nuggets" go to play and some to coach. Our clubs have always toured in far flung reaches of the footballing world, such as Southampton as early as 1904, advertising their "wares". British football has always carried the game abroad and helped its Global development. In May 1950 Neil Franklin gave up English football and sailed across the ocean carrying thre "word".
A star centre half (as they were called in those days) from Stoke City, Franklin migrated. The 1949-50 season ended indifferently for The Potters, so a disenchanted pair, Franklin and George Mountford, flew to New York and on to Bogota. Stoke had no idea of this and the FA discovered their intentions when they tried to include Franklin in an international squad v Portugal post season. He was not available, with him, apparently, going to "help with some coaching in South America".
Interviewed at the New York Airport during a plane swap, the players said it was just a cursory look, but in fact they had signed lucrative contracts. As a result, Stoke had lost a substantial transfer fee and since Colombia were not members of FIFA, there was no hope of recompense.
The previous season, 28 year old Franklin, arguably the best ever England centre-half, had fallen out with the FA, when chosen to play for his country in the 1950 Brazil hosted World Cup, because the FA would not allow him to take his wife! As if !!
He later travelled to Colombia with a pregnant wife and a 6 year old son, presumably paid for by his new owners.
Having been paid a pitiful £12 a week in England, the offer of £3500 a year and a £1,000 signing on fee by the South Americans, was too much to turn down. Both players were given a home help, a child minder, a huge house to make the move even more worthwhile.
BUT an intrepid Daily Express reporter found that their wives were not so impressed with the facilities, which were "primitive", despite the "size" of the houses. Stoke City had bought them both semi-detached houses in Stoke (for £3,000) and this apparently, was better than their new homes, the wives said.
Bll Higgins, the Everton centre half, was also signing up but more well known stars, like Stanley Matthews and Liverpool's Billy Liddell were not tempted, despite efforts from the Colombians.
By the end of 1950, Franklin returned home and he was banned for 2 months by the FA and "shunned" by his "professional" team mates. His international career was ruined with the arrival of Billy Wright and Franklin ended up playing for Hull City, Crewe Alexandra, Stockport County, Macclesfield and Wellington Town up till he retired from the game in 1962.
Franklin in Sante Fe....yes, he's the bloke on the leftFinally, he ended up coaching at Apoel Nicosia in Cyprus in 1963 and came back to coach at Colchester Utd briefly before (YES YOU GUESSED IT), running a pub in Oswaldtwistle.
He died in Stone, Staffs in 1996.
Mountford, known during 1950-1, as the "Bald Arrow" by his new Colombian mates, had previously challenged Stanley Matthews for a place on Stoke's right wing (playing123 games) prior to his move and after his failed venture, spent some time at QPR from 1953-4 and gradually retired in non-league at Hereford Utd and Kidderminster Harriers.
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