Biography
When Hull City returned to League football in 1946 following cessation of World War Two, it was John Sheen, also known as Jock, that the club turned to as their new captain and playmaker. He had the privilege to lead the Tigers out in their first senior match played at Boothferry Park, and started five of the Tigers’ first six games, scoring in a 2-2 draw at home to Crewe. However despite Sheen’s widespread reputation as a popular figure, his prominent position at the club clearly ran into immediate choppy waters because the Tigers, winless in their first six games, dropped Sheen and by October he was transferred to Kettering Town.
Born in Airdrie in the Lanarkshire industrial belt between Glasgow and Edinburgh, Sheen joined Sheffield United as a teenager in 1936 and signed professional terms when he turned 17. He never started a senior league match for the Blades but had a reputation as a skillful creative player during the early years of the wartime leagues. Sheen spent two seasons at Linfield during the war, lifting the Irish Northern Regional League championship twice with the Belfast side. He also played as a guest for Queens Park Rangers, Arsenal and Scunthorpe while completing his military duties.
After a season as player coach at Kettering Town, Sheen joined Shrewsbury Town in July 1947 and reached the 1948 Welsh Cup Final with the Shrews. By 1950 he was coaching at Nottinghamshire side Worksop Town, where he remained until at least 1955 when he was awarded a silver cigarette lighter by the players in recognition of his efforts and popularity!
Sheen remained in the Sheffield area that he had lived prior to the War, and died in July 1997.
Details
Nationality: England
Date/Place of Birth: 30 August 1920, Airdrie
Hull City First Game: 31 August 1946, Lincoln City H (Division Three North), 26 years, 1 days old
Hull City Final Game: 16 September 1946, Gateshead H (Division Three North), 26 years, 17 days old
Clubs
Bailleston Juniors, Sheffield United (1936-1946), Hull City (1946), Kettering Town (1946-1947), Shrewsbury Town (1947-1949)
Hull City Record
Career: 5 apps, 1 goals
John Sheen| Season | LGE App | LGE Gls | FAC App | FAC Gls | FLC App | FLC Gls | EUR App | EUR Gls | OTH App | OTH Gls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1946/47 | 5 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |