Role Footballer Name Johnny Schofield | Years Team | |
Full name John Reginald Schofield Date of birth (1931-02-08)8 February 1931 Date of death 1 November 2006(2006-11-01) (aged 75) Died November 1, 2006, Atherstone, United Kingdom | ||
Place of birth Atherstone, England Place of death Atherstone, England | ||
John Reginald Schofield (8 February 1931 – 1 November 2006) was an English footballer who played as a goalkeeper in the Football League for Birmingham City and Wrexham.
Schofield signed a professional contract with Birmingham City in February 1950, but as second choice keeper to Gil Merrick. Schofield was one of the bravest keepers of his time, second only to Bert Trautmann and his 1956 FA Cup performance. In November 1957, Schofield survived a pit explosion at Baddesley Colliery in Warwickshire, and a fractured skull while playing in goal against Manchester United in 1960. It was in 1960 that Schofield took over as Birmingham's first choice, after Merrick became manager of the club. He played in two Inter-Cities Fairs Cup finals, against Barcelona in 1960 and Roma in 1961, and also in the 1963 Football League Cup Final against city rivals Aston Villa.
With advancing age, and the signing of Scott Jim Herriot, Schofield lost his place in the Birmingham team, and was transferred to Wrexham in 1966. After only two years, he moved on to become player-manager of Atherstone Town. In later life, he ran an off-licence in his home town of Atherstone. Schofield died on 1 November 2006.