Fred Furniss

Frederick Furniss (10 July 1922 – 10 April 2017) was an English footballer who played in the position of full-back for Sheffield United.

Furniss started his career with Hallam, and was given his chance to play for United in Wartime (1941), along with Albert Nightingale, in a 3-3 draw against Everton at Goodison Park during an air-raid.

He signed his first professional contract with the club in 1946 once the football league was re-established after the war, and he established himself in the Blades defence, along with fellow full-back Eddie Shimwell.

He was very fast and difficult to outwit, and played in every match in the United team that won the Second Division in 1952-53. Furniss was the Blades recognised penalty taker in his time at the Lane and never missed a penalty for the Blades.

He made 433 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring 18 goals. He also total he played 279 league matches for Sheffield United between 1945-1954 scoring 14 goals. In 1955, he joined Chesterfield, but never played a match for that club.

Furniss, who was a member of the Senior Blades and was also a season-ticket holder, is featured on the Wall of Fame in at the Legends of the Lane facility at Bramall Lane. He was also a keen crown green bowler.

Furniss died on 10 April 2017.