Ted Hemsley

Edward John Orton Hemsley (born 1 September 1943, in Stoke-on-Trent, England) was a professional footballer, playing at left-back for Sheffield United and Shrewsbury Town. He was also a first-class cricketer for Worcestershire.

Football career

Hemsley was still a schoolboy when he signed professional terms with Shrewsbury Town in 1961. He made 235 league appearances for the Shrews with 21 league goals. In 1968, the manager of Sheffield United was Arthur Rowley - who had spent the previous 10 years as manager of Shrewsbury Town, and his first signing was to be Hemsley. Hemsley had been club captain at Shrewsbury.

He was given his chance in the starting line-up at left-back and soon made the position his own. His debut for Sheffield United was against Derby County F.C at Bramall Lane in 1968 in a 2-0 victory. He was an ever present in the team over the next few years and played 40 matches in season 1970-71. On 28 April 1971, he was as a member of the Blades squad that clinched promotion to the First Division.

He played for Sheffield United for 9 years; his final appearance for the Blades was at Ewood Park against Blackburn Rovers on 5 March 1977. In total, he made 247 league appearances for Sheffield United with 8 goals in that period.

He finished his footballing career with Doncaster Rovers, spending 2 seasons with Rovers and making 41 league appearances.

Cricket career

Hemsley was a Right-hand batsman. As a bowler he was a Right-arm medium pace.

He played first-class cricket for Worcestershire between 1962-1982. He was mentioned as a possible England batsman when he helped Worcestershire, for whom he played 243 first-class games and 219 one-dayers, to the County Championship in 1974. In total, Hemsley scored 9740 first-class runs for Worcestershire.He also (uniquely) played cricket on his home football ground,Worcs v Yorkshire at Bramall Lane

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