Fred Pentland

Frederick (Fred) Pentland was born in Wolverhampton on 18th September 1883. He played local football for Avondale Juniors, Willenhall Swifts and Small Heath. A centre-forward he joined Blackpool in 1903.

Pentland scored five goals in eight games before Robert Middleton persuaded him to join Blackburn Rovers. Pentland scored seven goals in 18 league appearances, but his efforts could not stop Blackburn from being involved in another relegation struggle. The club eventually finished in 15th place in the league.

It was the same story the following season. Despite good individual performances from Fred Pentland, Bob Crompton, Adam Bowman, Bob Evans, Fred Blackburn and Arnie Whittaker, Blackburn could only finish in 13th place. Bowman was the top scorer with 13 goals. Pentland only scored two goals that season. In an article that appeared in the Blackburn Times a journalist wrote: "Like its two predecessors, the season of 1904-05 has been one of disgrace to the Rovers".

In 1905 Pentland joined Brentford in the Southern League. He also played for Queen's Park Rangers before signing for Middlesbrough in 1908. The following year he won his first international cap playing for England against Wales. It was the first of five games he played for his country in 1909. However, Pentland, who was now playing at outside right, failed to score for England in these matches.

Pentland stayed at Middlesbrough until 1911. He scored 11 goals in 92 games for the club. He later was player/manager of Halifax Town and Stoke.

After he retired from playing, Pentland worked as a coach in Europe and was manager for Barrow.

Fred Pentland died in 1962.