Ernie Toseland

Ernie Toseland (17 March 1905 – 19 October 1987) was an English footballer who played in the outside right position. He has been described as 'a flying winger – football's Jesse Owens'.

Early life Toseland was born in Northampton in 1905. He began his career as a footballer playing for Higham Ferrers Town and in 1927 joined Coventry City for £50 after playing against their reserve team. In his first reserve game he broke his collarbone and did not play for a year. He scored on his first team debut at Watford and his sensational speed and dribbling quickly made him a fan's favourite. The First Division scouts were soon alerted to his prowess and after just 22 games for Coventry (and 11 goals) he was signed by Manchester City for a club record £3000. Contemporary reports describe him as Coventry City's most gifted player of the decade.

Manchester City In March 1929, he left Coventry City for a fee of £3000 to join Manchester City who were then in the First Division. He was part of the City team until 1938 and appeared 411 times, scoring 75 goals in the process. Toseland joined a strong forward line at City which included England internationals such as outside left Eric Brook, inside forward Tommy Johnson and centre forward Fred Tilson. The City team also included the England international centre half Sam Cowan and Scotland captain Jimmy McMullan.

Toseland made his debut in a 2-1 victory against Bury on 21 April 1929 , and his first goal for City was scored in a 3–0 victory over Aston Villa in the 1928–1929 football season. Eric Brook and Tommy Johnson scored the other goals. That season City finished eighth and Tommy Johnson scored a club record of 38 league goals.

In the 1929–1930 season Manchester City finished third in the first division, three points behind runners up Derby County. Toseland scored three goals in the FA Cup that season but Manchester City were knocked out by Hull City in the fifth round. In the 1930–1931 season, City finished eighth in the league and Toseland scored ten league goals for the club. Eric Brook was the team's leading goalscorer that season with 16 goals. In the 1931–1932 season the City team, which now included the Scottish centre forward Alec Herd, managed to reach the semi-final of the FA Cup but were defeated by Arsenal by 1–0 with a goal from England international Cliff Bastin. He died in Stockport on 19 October 1987.

Honours

As a player Manchester City Football League First Division: 1936–37 FA Cup: 1933–34; runner-up: 1932–33