Biography.guide
Home › People › Association football player › Henry Cockburn
Portrait of Henry Cockburn

Henry Cockburn

1921 – 2004

English footballer

Don't just read it — keep itBiographies to ownE-book · Audio · Video From $7 →

About Henry Cockburn

Lived 1921 – 2004 (aged 82). Henry Cockburn was a British association football player and association football coach.

Henry Cockburn (14 September 1921 – 2 February 2004) was an English professional footballer, who played league football for Manchester United, Bury and Peterborough United. He represented England at international level, playing 13 times for his country. He also played once for the England B team.

Born in Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire, Cockburn attended Stamford High School and began his football career as a forward with Goslings FC in the early 1940s. He joined Manchester United in 1943, turning professional in August 1944. However, because of the Second World War, he had to wait until 1946 for his league debut, by which time he had been converted into a wing half. He also made his England debut against Northern Ireland that year.

With United, Cockburn won the 1948 FA Cup and the 1952 league title. He left United in October 1954, joining Bury where he ended his league career after two seasons. He subsequently played for Peterborough United, Corby Town and Sankey's.

After retiring as a player, Cockburn later worked as assistant trainer at Oldham Athletic and assistant and then senior coach at Huddersfield Town. It was whilst at Huddersfield Town in the 1960s that Henry was to be a major influence on future Wolves record appearance maker, Derek Parkin.

During the 1960s, Cockburn played cricket for Ashton Cricket Club, usually fielding at cover.

Honours Manchester United FA Cup: 1947–48

Biography shop

Don’t just read it —
keep it.

Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.

  • E-book
  • Audio
  • Video
Browse the shop — from $7

Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free

Important facts

People in Henry Cockburn's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Henry Cockburn's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Henry Cockburn?

English footballer (1921-2004)

When was Henry Cockburn born?

Henry Cockburn was born on 14 September 1921 in Lancashire.

When did Henry Cockburn die?

Henry Cockburn died on 2 February 2004 in Mossley.

What was Henry Cockburn's occupation?

Henry Cockburn was an association football player and association football coach.

What nationality was Henry Cockburn?

Henry Cockburn was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Henry Cockburn

· Wikidata: Q1179802

· DBpedia: Henry Cockburn (footballer)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Henry Cockburn. https://biography.guide/henry-cockburn/

MLA: "Henry Cockburn." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/henry-cockburn/.

Chicago: "Henry Cockburn." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/henry-cockburn/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Page generated 2026-09-27 04:59 UTC