Albert Shepherd

Albert Shepherd (10 September 1885 – 8 November 1929) was an English footballer. He played centre forward for Newcastle United between 1908 to 1914.

Born in Great Lever, Bolton, Lancashire, England, Shepherd had already scored 90 goals in 123 games for his home town club Bolton Wanderers when Newcastle United paid the then record fee of £800 for his services. (Other sources say £850 and £1000). He made his debut for Newcastle in a 4–0 away win at Nottingham Forest a game in which he scored his first goal for his new club. The following week he made his home debut against fierce rivals Sunderland. At half time the score was 1–1 with Shepherd having scored Newcastle's goal from a penalty but in the second half Sunderland scored 8 more goals without reply and won the game 9–1. This still stands as Newcastle's biggest ever home defeat. Undaunted, both Newcastle and Shepherd went on to have a fine season in which the club won the First Division Championship and Shepherd ended the season as Newcastle's top scorer with 15 league and cup goals. Shepherd was known for having a ferocious shot which on some occasions even carried the goalkeeper over the line as well as the ball. He was also noted for being a very charismatic and playful character. At half time in an away match at Notts County with the score at 0–0 he asked the Newcastle officials if he could leave the field of play early so as to catch a train to Bolton to visit his family. Newcastles' then Chairman Joe Bell, himself a popular and jovial character, told Shepherd that if he scored four goals he could leave as soon as he liked. Shepherd duly scored four goals in the second half and according to the sports writer Arthur Appleton, "developed a sudden limp" and asked the referee if he could leave the field of play. Shepherd was allowed to leave and soon after caught his train to Bolton on time. (Arthur Appleton "The Hotbed of Soccer")