Anniversary
Name: Joe Cockroft
Born: King's Lynn, 20 June 1911
Clubs: Rotherham United, Gainsborough Trinity, West Ham United, Sheffield Wednesday, Sheffield United, Wisbech Town
Former West Ham United wing-half Joe Cockroft was born on this day 104 years ago.
The King's Lynn-born player featured on 266 occasions for the Hammers between 1933-1939, as well as playing 29 wartime fixtures up to 1941.
He started his playing career in Yorkshire with Rotherham United, before moving on to Gainsborough Trinity and then West Ham, following a successful trial under manager Charlie Paynter.
After just four reserve team games, he was drafted into the first XI due to ssenior left-halves Albert Cadwell and Joe Musgrave and made the position his own.
Indeed, he was an ever-present in the 1933/34, 1934/35, 1935/36 and 1936/37 seasons. During the Second World War he was employed in a steelworks in Sheffield, and would go onto play for both of the Steel City clubs upon the ending of hostilities.
He ended his career as player-manager at Wisbech Town and passed away in February 1994 at the age of 82.