BIO
Date of Birth:
Place of Birth:
Age at Death:
Position:
April 4, 1874
Dawley, Shropshire, England
42 years
Goalkeeper
Year
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1894-1905
1905-'07
1907-'08
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14 years
​
​
​
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Club/Team
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Sheffield United
Chelsea
Bradford City
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Total Club Games
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International Career
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England
Appearances
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299
34
22
​
355
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​
​
1
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Synopsis
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The “Fat Man” from Sheffield was an impressively agile shot stopper given his enormous size and was no doubt a primary reason behind Sheffield United’s early success at the turn of the century.
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Although saddled with the moniker, “Fatty,” later in his career, Foulke actually spent most of his early years as a slender (albeit tall) athlete. His size of 6’9” is large by any standard but even more so when taking into account that the average height of footballers in the early 20th century were in an approximate range of 5’4” to 5’8”.
Widely considered the most intimidating player of the Edwardian era, Foulke’s violent and volcanic temper was legendary. He was known for body slamming opposition players on the pitch and also for walking off of it if he felt his teammates weren’t playing up to their potential.
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In one well-reported incident following the first leg of the 1902 FA Cup Final, a completely naked Foulke chased the match referee from the dressing room and into a broom closet where he had to take refuge. Fortunately for the referee, the irate Foulke was eventually subdued by a small army before he could finish tearing the closet door from its hinges. Amazingly (and truly a sign of those times) Foulke was neither suspended nor fined for the event and in fact he was allowed to play in the second leg of the Final (which Sheffield went on to win).
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The best years of Foulke’s playing career were spent at Sheffield United where along with such greats as Ernest ‘Nudge’ Needham he played in three FA Cup Finals, winning two.
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In 1905, Foulke was sold to Chelsea for a reported 50 pound fee. Although by this point Foulke was at end of his career, he was still considered a profitable gate draw.
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Quickly wearing out his welcome in Chelsea (2 years), Foulke then signed with Bradford City where his value to the club was now considered more of a circus act than anything else.
Relatively soon after his playing career ended, Foulke died in 1916 from cirhosis of the liver. Although never known as a model of good health, quite possibly the purchase of a beer distillery during his retirement contributed to his eventual early demise.
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Notable Accomplishments & Honors
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FA Cup Winner: 1899 and 1902
FA Cup Runner-up: 1905
First Division Champion: 1897-‘98
Goalkeeper of the Decade (1900s) Berlin Britz Radio
CARDBOARD NOTES
Foulke’s earliest known cardboard issue comes from a Baines Shield whose date is uncertain but referenced in many circles as being from 1893. The 1896-97 Ogden’s Guinea Gold set and as such, is one of the key cards to own in a vintage football card collection. Of note, some early issues of Foulke misspell his last name as “Foulkes”or “Foulkeo” In addition to the early Ogden’s cards, Foulke’s large portrait appears in the highly sought after Famous Footballers book by Alcock & Sons from 1895-96. The 1902 Will’s Football card in the “dark violet” variety is a real rarity well worth the hunt as is to a lesser degree, the same depiction in the parallel set from Clarke’s. Another highly sought after item is his 1905 Wrench postcard. The 1908 Ogden’s Famous Footballers card is Foulke’s last card from his playing days and his only known issue in a Bradford uniform.
c. 1893 Baines Shield
1896-97 Ogden’s Guinea Gold
1902 J&F Bell Ltd. #1
1902 Ogden's Ltd. General Interest Series F Foulke Saves #5
1908 Ogden's Famous Footballers #6
