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JACK PICKEN
Note: One record book says that the goalscorers in the match against Kettering Town on 17th Oct 1903 were Dalrymple, Picken (2) and Peddie (2) but the match report in the Western Morning News clearly describes each goal, with Dalrymple scoring two and Picken one. The goals-scored totals for Dalrymple and Picken are therefore different from at least one source.
Full Name: John Barclay Picken
Born: 07 June 1880
Came from: Bolton Wanderers Went to: Manchester United
First game: 01 September 1903 Last game: 24 April 1905
Appearances: 90 (90/0) Goals: 46
Picken began his career in his hometown playing for Hurlford Thistle before joining local professional side Kilmarnock. In 1899 he moved to Bolton Wanderers and spent four years with the club, scoring 22 goals in 101 appearances.
He joined Argyle in 1903 and was a great success during the club's first two professional seasons, scoring 46 times in 90 games. An inside-left, the Argyle handbook of 1904-05 states "the good work this artist accomplished has been rightly esteemed and if he can obtain immunity from disaster even greater benefit will accrue to the club, spectators and player alike".
Picken's impressive goalscoring record brought him to the attention of Manchester United, whom he signed for in 1905. During six seasons there he netted 46 times and helped the team win the First Division twice, and the FA Cup in 1909. He ended his career in 1914 after spells at Burnley and Bristol City.
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APPEARANCE DETAILS [reselect competitions]
The details below reflect appearances in the following selected competitions: Southern & Western Leagues, English Football League, Football League, Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Minor Cups
Excluded: Football League (1939), War Leagues
I'm very grateful to many who have helped write GoS-DB's player pen-pictures, and to Dave Rowntree, the PAFC Media Team and Colin Parsons for their help with photos. Thanks also to staff at the National Football Museum, the Scottish Football Museum and ScotlandsPeople for their valuable assistance.
The following publications have been particularly valuable in the research of pen-pictures: Plymouth Argyle, A Complete Record 1903-1989 (Brian Knight, ISBN 0-907969-40-2); Plymouth Argyle, 101 Golden Greats (Andy Riddle, ISBN 1-874287-47-3); Football League Players' Records 1888-1939 (Michael Joyce, ISBN 1-899468-67-6); Football League Players' Records 1946-1988 (Barry Hugman, ISBN 1-85443-020-3) and Plymouth Argyle Football Club Handbooks.
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