Post by jupu on May 13, 2018 12:28:15 GMT
Graham Lovett, who passed away last week, could have been a star player for Worcester City in the 70s, but his career was ended after just 6 appearances due to injury. He’s best remembered for his time at West Bromwich Albion, where he made 157 appearances, scoring nine goals. It might have been many more but for two serious car crashes.
Joining Albion straight from school, he made his first team debut aged just 17 in a 2-0 home defeat to Chelsea in December 1964. He properly established himself in the Baggies team the following season, playing 47 times, scoring four goals, and playing in the first leg of Albion's League Cup final victory over West Ham United.
His progress was cruelly halted just before Christmas 1966, when a serious car accident left him in hospital with a broken neck and fears that he would never play again. Miraculously he did return the following season, and played in Albion’s FA Cup winning side in 1968.
But in the summer of 1969, Graham was involved in another car crash. This time, he suffered a collapsed lung, broken ribs and a broken thighbone.
Bravely he fought back once more. But although there were more Albion appearances to come, particularly in a sustained run in the side in 1970/71, he couldn't quite recapture his previous form.
He had a brief spell on loan at Southampton in November 1971 before being released by the Albion in the summer of 1972. He had many offers to stay in the Football League, and Hereford United boss Colin Addison announced that he was expecting to sign him, but Graham chose to come to Worcester. Manager Wilf Grant commented: “This is one of my most important captures. I had to fight off fierce opposition from many Football League clubs before Graham finally agreed to our terms. This is certainly a feather in the cap for Worcester City Football Club. All this would not have been possible without the support of Mr. Love and his fellow directors. They have backed me every step of the way, and Mr. Love played a very influential part in the talks.”
Graham lasted for just 6 games. It must have been a huge disappointment and I suspect the ankle injury that forced Graham to quit had been the reason for him ending his time with West Brom. He probably thought it would stand up to part-time football, but it was not to be. His contact was cancelled by mutual consent in November after three months on the sidelines. He subsequently had a spell with Solihull Borough in the Midland Combination before retiring.
He worked for the Express and Star newspaper subsequently and had spells living abroad in Spain, he returned to the UK and became a regular at The Hawthorns and at various club dinners and functions.
Joining Albion straight from school, he made his first team debut aged just 17 in a 2-0 home defeat to Chelsea in December 1964. He properly established himself in the Baggies team the following season, playing 47 times, scoring four goals, and playing in the first leg of Albion's League Cup final victory over West Ham United.
His progress was cruelly halted just before Christmas 1966, when a serious car accident left him in hospital with a broken neck and fears that he would never play again. Miraculously he did return the following season, and played in Albion’s FA Cup winning side in 1968.
But in the summer of 1969, Graham was involved in another car crash. This time, he suffered a collapsed lung, broken ribs and a broken thighbone.
Bravely he fought back once more. But although there were more Albion appearances to come, particularly in a sustained run in the side in 1970/71, he couldn't quite recapture his previous form.
He had a brief spell on loan at Southampton in November 1971 before being released by the Albion in the summer of 1972. He had many offers to stay in the Football League, and Hereford United boss Colin Addison announced that he was expecting to sign him, but Graham chose to come to Worcester. Manager Wilf Grant commented: “This is one of my most important captures. I had to fight off fierce opposition from many Football League clubs before Graham finally agreed to our terms. This is certainly a feather in the cap for Worcester City Football Club. All this would not have been possible without the support of Mr. Love and his fellow directors. They have backed me every step of the way, and Mr. Love played a very influential part in the talks.”
Graham lasted for just 6 games. It must have been a huge disappointment and I suspect the ankle injury that forced Graham to quit had been the reason for him ending his time with West Brom. He probably thought it would stand up to part-time football, but it was not to be. His contact was cancelled by mutual consent in November after three months on the sidelines. He subsequently had a spell with Solihull Borough in the Midland Combination before retiring.
He worked for the Express and Star newspaper subsequently and had spells living abroad in Spain, he returned to the UK and became a regular at The Hawthorns and at various club dinners and functions.