Frank Macey facts for kids
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 24 October 1894 | ||
| Date of death | 3 December 1973 (aged 79) | ||
| Place of death | Westminster, England | ||
| Playing position | Centre forward / inside left | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1923–1936 | Kingstonian | ||
| 1925–1926 | Plymouth Argyle | 1 | (0) |
| National team | |||
| 1923–1928 | England amateur | 4 | (2) |
|
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Frank Macey (born October 24, 1894 – died December 3, 1973) was an English footballer. He played as a forward.
Frank spent 15 years in the Army. He was a prisoner of war during most of World War I. In 1923, while still in the Army, he joined Kingstonian F.C.. He played one game for Plymouth Argyle, a professional club. But he soon returned to Kingstonian. He played for them until he stopped playing football in 1936.
During his time at Kingstonian, he was the team captain. He led them to win the FA Amateur Cup in 1933. He also played four times for the England amateur team. Frank scored two goals in each match when the Amateurs beat the Professionals in the 1925 FA Charity Shield and the 1926 match.
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About Frank Macey
Frank Macey was born in 1894. He joined the Royal Fusiliers in the Army when he was 15. He was captured early in World War I. He spent most of the war as a prisoner. After the war, he helped as an interpreter for German prisoners in England. He then served in other countries.
Later, he returned to the Middlesex area of England. After leaving the Army, he worked for an electricity company. He was a meter inspector in Kingston upon Thames. Frank Macey passed away in Westminster Hospital on December 3, 1973, at age 79. He was buried in Kingston Cemetery.
Frank's Football Journey
While in the Army, Frank played for the Army XI team. He played in games against other military teams and club teams. In 1923, he played for the Army XI against Aston Villa. Even though his team lost, people noticed his talent. A newspaper called him the "star" of the Army team. They said he was very skilled at controlling the ball and passing. A few months later, he scored two goals and helped with another. This was when the Army XI beat the French Army in Paris.
Playing for Kingstonian
Frank joined Kingstonian in 1923. At that time, Kingstonian was an Athenian League club. His goals helped them win the Athenian League title in 1924. Professional clubs also noticed his skills.
In 1926, Everton, a top professional club, wanted him. But Frank had already signed with Plymouth Argyle. He played only one game for Plymouth Argyle. It was a Third Division South match against Reading. After that game, he returned to Kingstonian. It was said that playing professional football did not make him happy.
He helped Kingstonian win the Athenian League title again in 1926. Frank was known for more than just scoring goals. People praised his "clever constructive work" and said he was an "outstanding player." In 1929, he scored the first goal in the London Charity Cup Final. However, his team lost that game to Dulwich Hamlet.
In 1931, a newspaper described Frank Macey as "little but good." It said he "inspired his forwards to great things" and "juggled with the ball like a wizard." Kingstonian reached the final of the London Senior Cup that year. But they lost to Wimbledon.
In 1932, Kingstonian reached the semifinal of the FA Amateur Cup. They lost to Dulwich Hamlet in front of a huge crowd. Frank Macey, even though he was almost 40, played a great game.
In the next year's Amateur Cup, Frank helped Kingstonian win against Leyton. He scored two goals in two minutes. In the fourth round, he scored two more goals as Kingstonian beat Dulwich Hamlet 4-2.
Kingstonian reached the Amateur Cup final in 1933. They played against Stockton. The first game was a 1-1 draw. The replay was held in Darlington. Kingstonian won the replay 4-1. As the team captain, Frank Macey received the trophy. The team returned home to a big welcome. More than 20,000 people lined the streets to cheer for them.
Frank Macey announced he would retire at the end of the 1933–34 season. But he came back in November 1934 to help Kingstonian in an FA Cup match. He showed much of his old skill. He finally retired in 1936. He had played for Kingstonian for 13 years. He is still their second-highest goalscorer.
Playing for England Amateurs
Frank Macey played for the England amateur team four times. His first game was against Ireland in November 1923. He scored the first goal in a 3-0 win.
He played against Ireland again two years later. England won that game 6-4. In November 1926, he scored a goal in another 3-0 win against Ireland in Belfast. Newspapers said he and his teammates did "splendid work."
He played his last international game in 1928, again against Ireland. England won 2-0. Frank was one of the few players who played well in that match. He was a reserve player twice in 1931 but did not play in any more international games.
FA Charity Shield Matches
Between 1923 and 1926, the FA Charity Shield was played between amateur and professional players. Frank Macey was chosen for the amateur team in three of these four matches.
In the 1923 match, his team lost 2-0 to the Professionals.
He was chosen again for the 1925 match. The Amateurs won 6-1, and Frank Macey scored two goals. Even though he looked small compared to the other players, he scored his second goal while two defenders were trying to stop him. A newspaper said he played the best game of his life.
He kept his place for the 1926 match. The Amateurs won again, this time 6-3. A newspaper reported that Frank Macey did the most to help his team win. He helped create the first goal and then scored twice. His second goal was a "wonderful shot" from far away. Another player who was in the match said Frank Macey gave the best performance by an inside forward he had ever seen.
