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JACK DRYDEN
Born: 16 September 1919
Came from: Charlton Athletic Went to: Charlton Athletic
First game: 17 November 1945 Last game: 17 November 1945
Appearances: 1 (1/0) Goals: 0
Although the Second World War was at an end, the Football League divided its competition into regional sections for the 1945-46 season because of the exceptional conditions at that time, with so many players still serving in the Armed Forces or employed on essential war work. Argyle played in the Football League South that season, against first-class opposition such as Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs, Aston Villa and Wolves. It proved impossible for the Pilgrims to field a regular side; 72 players made an appearance and performances inevitably suffered. From week to week the club called on Armed Services players who were stationed in the area, guest players from other League clubs and local amateurs to supplement its registered playing staff.
Dryden was one of 27 in the guest category. Born in Sunderland, the winger started his career locally with Washington Chemical Works before heading south to Bexleyheath & Welling, from where he came to the attention of Charlton Athletic. War arrived before he made the first team grade with The Addicks, but he did play 26 times for the south-east London side during the conflict, scoring 14 goals including 11 in the 1942-43 season. He also guested for Clapton Orient, and didn't need to leave the capital to make his single guest appearance for Argyle, a defeat against Arsenal at Highbury. After the war he returned to non-league football and the north-east to sign for Hylton Colliery.
However, Dryden did get a second chance at a Football League career when he signed for Swindon Town in 1947, making 21 appearances and scoring three goals, and a year later he returned to the capital to join Leyton Orient, where he played 40 times and scored ten. He then dropped back to the non-league game, signing for Tonbridge in 1950, followed by fellow Kent side Snowdown Colliery Welfare before joining Margate in October 1952. He spent one last season with Sittingbourne in 1953-54 before retiring from football.
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APPEARANCE DETAILS [reselect competitions]
The details below reflect appearances in all first-team competitions.
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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