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STANLEY NORTHOVER
Full Name: Stanley Oswald Northover
Born: 03 July 1926
Came from: Royal Navy Went to: Royal Navy
First game: 08 December 1945 Last game: 08 December 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, guest footballers from other League clubs and local amateurs to supplement its registered playing staff.
Northover was one of 21 players whose only first team games for Argyle were in the Football League South season and who usually played in local football or for the Armed Forces. Born in Weymouth, he signed for Argyle as an amateur on 30th August 1945 whilst serving in the Royal Navy, but had to wait until December for his debut at inside-left in a heavy home defeat by Charlton Athletic. In its report of the game, the Western Independent rather unkindly said of the 19-year-old: "Northover was the weak link, being much too slow." Having helped Argyle during this difficult transitionary season, he was released at the end of the campaign to continue in the Navy. He later played for his hometown team, Weymouth, and went on to make a single Football League appearance as an amateur for Luton Town in February 1950.
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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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