Fred Erentz

Frederick Charles Erentz (10 June 1870 – 6 April 1938) was a Scottish footballer who played at half-back and full-back for Dundee Our Boys and Newton Heath in the 1880s, 1890s and early 1900s.

Early life Born in Broughty Ferry, near Dundee, to a Danish father, Erentz began his football career with Dundee Our Boys. Originally a half-back, Erentz was signed by Newton Heath in June 1892 in preparation for their first season in The Football League.

Career The following season, Erentz was deployed in several different positions, including right half and both right forward positions, from where he scored his first goal for the club, but he made most of his appearances in 1893–94 at left-back. Erentz was effectively ever-present at left-back over his next eight seasons at the club, and even rejected a sizeable contract offer from Tottenham Hotspur, where his brother Harry played at right-back. He was the first player to amass 100 appearances for Newton Heath, a feat he achieved on 14 December 1895 in a league match against Notts County. Additionally, he became club's first player to achieve 200 and 300 games.

Erentz retired from football at the end of the 1901–02 season as a result of a knee injury. His final appearance for the club was also the last match the club played as Newton Heath before becoming Manchester United, a 2–1 win over Manchester City in the final of the Manchester Senior Cup on 26 April 1902.

Career statistics