Role Footballer Name Ezra Horton | Playing position Position Wing half | |
Date of birth (1861-08-20)20 August 1861 Date of death 10 July 1939(1939-07-10) (aged 77) 1882–1885 West Bromwich Albion (amateur) Died July 10, 1939, West Bromwich, United Kingdom | ||
Place of birth West Bromwich, England Place of death West Bromwich, England | ||
Ezra Horton (20 August 1861 – 10 July 1939) was an English footballer who played at right-half; he had the nickname "Ironsides". He played for West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup final in 1886, 1887 and 1888. His younger brother Jack was also a footballer.
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Playing career
Horton was born in West Bromwich, and after playing for Christ Church and George Salter's Works, joined West Bromwich Albion as an amateur in August 1882. After making guest appearances for Port Vale in September 1884 and Aston Villa in March and April 1885, he turned professional with Albion in August 1885. He played 47 league games for the club, including eight games in 1888–89, the inaugural season of the Football League. However, he was most notable for his exploits in the FA Cup, as he picked up two runners-up medals and one winners medal. In the 1886 final, he was unable to prevent a 2–0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers in a replay at the Racecourse Ground in Derby. He was again on the losing side in the 1887 final, as Aston Villa claimed a 2–0 victory at The Oval. It proved to be third time lucky for Horton, as he helped the "Throstles" to a 2–1 victory over Preston North End at The Oval in the 1888 final. He retired from playing football in June 1891, and in 1895 he became a referee and also a hockey international.