The Wales striker with more crimes than caps.
Nov 19, 2019 16:33:56 GMT
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Post by staggerstag on Nov 19, 2019 16:33:56 GMT
Ahead of the Wales game this evening, let's remember the remarkable case of Harry Trainer, one of Wales' most intriguing sons. He played three times for Wales and potted two goals.
Trainer, front row, second from left.
Okay, well six years earlier in 1894 following his team (at the time) Westminster Rovers' 5-3 Welsh Cup defeat, Trainer was charged with assaulting the landlord of the Talbot Hotel but was released with charges dropped by landlord James Holt after saying sorry and donating £5 to the Wrexham Infirmary.
One month later he was arrested on Wrexham station platform while waiting for his train ride to a match. The charge was breaking and entering a house earlier. He was bailed at the police station and though he had missed the train he'd planned on catching with his teammates he managed to grab a ride on the later supporters' excursion train, and a fun time was had by all. He was bound over to the sum of £5 two days later and released upon society. Nothing, it transpired, had been stolen or removed from the house.
Trainer went on to play for Wrexham, before a couple of English clubs became interested in him. Leicester made what was then considered an illegal approach while West Brom made an offer of £20 in cash for Trainer. The player traveled to West Brom for his debut but confusion reigned as no transfer papers were to be found at the club. It was suggested that Trainer had somehow already signed for Leicester. He was removed back to Wrexham and played out his next game for them in a mudbath of a pitch but potting four goals against Tranmere Rovers.
He finally did join Leicester before moving on to Sheppy United. After Sheppy were relegated Trainer was sent back to Wrexham where he played for the reserves. After a game in November 1901 he went off to town, ripped down the shutters of Williams' jewellers and made off with his booty. He was later caught and charged and sentenced to nine months hard labour, aged 28.
Several charges were still to come. Assaulting a man who had bad-mouthed his mouth*; fighting on the highways; drunk and disorderly; and his last known offence : stealing a cockerel and three hens, at age 35.
EDIT : *wife
Football had left him by now. He married a local widow in 1917 in Wrexham and settled down until his death in May 1924. Quite a story, eh?
There's Harry, middle seat, middle row.
Full article : www.theguardian.com/football/2019/nov/19/wales-striker-criminal-convictions-caps-harry-trainer
Police Constable James Owen was on night patrol when he discovered the robbery. It was 1.30am on Sunday morning, 11 November 1900, and the gas-lit streets of Wrexham were empty. PC Owen, in his regulation cape and helmet, was a young recruit who had recently been commended for his brave attempt to rescue a family from a fatal fire.
As he turned into Queen Street, Owen noticed the shutters of Williams’ Jeweller’s shop had been removed. One shutter was hanging from its hinges and the other was lying on the pavement. The shop’s plate-glass window had been smashed with a rock. Several yards away, under the flickering street lamps, a man was hurrying away. When Owen called out, the man began to run. Owen set off in pursuit.
As he turned into Queen Street, Owen noticed the shutters of Williams’ Jeweller’s shop had been removed. One shutter was hanging from its hinges and the other was lying on the pavement. The shop’s plate-glass window had been smashed with a rock. Several yards away, under the flickering street lamps, a man was hurrying away. When Owen called out, the man began to run. Owen set off in pursuit.
Owen followed the man and blew his police whistle, alerting a passing fireman named Thomas Humphreys. Owen and Humphreys chased the suspect up Chester Road and down Cooper’s Lane, then over a gate into a dark, tree-lined field. While Owen guarded the gate, Humphreys searched the trees. After a few minutes, Humphreys yelled: “Here he is!”
There was a brief struggle as Humphreys restrained the man and Owen placed him in handcuffs. As they pulled him to his feet and moved his face into the moonlight Owen recognised this short, moustachioed figure as a local – and national – celebrity. The suspected jewel thief was the Wrexham and Wales footballer Harry Trainer.
There was a brief struggle as Humphreys restrained the man and Owen placed him in handcuffs. As they pulled him to his feet and moved his face into the moonlight Owen recognised this short, moustachioed figure as a local – and national – celebrity. The suspected jewel thief was the Wrexham and Wales footballer Harry Trainer.
“What’s this for?” yelled Trainer. “I’ve done nothing.” Owen put his hand in Trainer’s pocket and pulled out a ring. More jewellery was lying on the ground and there were pieces of broken glass on his clothes. “I know nothing about it,” said Trainer. “What I’ve got on me was given me by a bloke.” Trainer, described as “had some drink, but not drunk,” became violent and resisted all the way as he was dragged to the police station. When they got there, Trainer finally gave up and told Owen: “I’ll come quiet now, mate.” Searches revealed items of jewellery stuffed in the lining of his jacket and more that had been discarded or dropped during his flight.
In all, Trainer had stolen 42 gold rings, 13 gold brooches, 12 silver watch chains, eight gold pendants, six watches, four silver serviette rings, two silver button hooks, one jewelled gold bracelet, one gold pencil case, one silver fruit knife, one silver matchbox, one scent bottle and one silver medal, worth a total of more than £40, plus several other articles that were never found. “I suppose I’ll have to do time for this,” he said. That seemed highly likely because this was not Trainer’s first offence.
Trainer, front row, second from left.
Okay, well six years earlier in 1894 following his team (at the time) Westminster Rovers' 5-3 Welsh Cup defeat, Trainer was charged with assaulting the landlord of the Talbot Hotel but was released with charges dropped by landlord James Holt after saying sorry and donating £5 to the Wrexham Infirmary.
One month later he was arrested on Wrexham station platform while waiting for his train ride to a match. The charge was breaking and entering a house earlier. He was bailed at the police station and though he had missed the train he'd planned on catching with his teammates he managed to grab a ride on the later supporters' excursion train, and a fun time was had by all. He was bound over to the sum of £5 two days later and released upon society. Nothing, it transpired, had been stolen or removed from the house.
Trainer went on to play for Wrexham, before a couple of English clubs became interested in him. Leicester made what was then considered an illegal approach while West Brom made an offer of £20 in cash for Trainer. The player traveled to West Brom for his debut but confusion reigned as no transfer papers were to be found at the club. It was suggested that Trainer had somehow already signed for Leicester. He was removed back to Wrexham and played out his next game for them in a mudbath of a pitch but potting four goals against Tranmere Rovers.
He finally did join Leicester before moving on to Sheppy United. After Sheppy were relegated Trainer was sent back to Wrexham where he played for the reserves. After a game in November 1901 he went off to town, ripped down the shutters of Williams' jewellers and made off with his booty. He was later caught and charged and sentenced to nine months hard labour, aged 28.
Several charges were still to come. Assaulting a man who had bad-mouthed his mouth*; fighting on the highways; drunk and disorderly; and his last known offence : stealing a cockerel and three hens, at age 35.
EDIT : *wife
Football had left him by now. He married a local widow in 1917 in Wrexham and settled down until his death in May 1924. Quite a story, eh?
There's Harry, middle seat, middle row.
Full article : www.theguardian.com/football/2019/nov/19/wales-striker-criminal-convictions-caps-harry-trainer
