Harold Payne HARDMAN

Although not considered strong enough to play games as a boy, Harold Hardman later turned his spare physique to his advantage as an elusive and speedy outside-left. On leaving Blackpool High School, he played for Northern Nomads and a number of local clubs before joining Everton in 1903, and three years later he became one of only three amateurs this century to win an FA Cup winners’ medal when Everton beat Newcastle United. In 1907 he again played in the Cup final but this time Everton lost to Sheffield Wednesday. Hardman played four times for England in full internationals and made ten amateur international appearances. After five seasons with Everton he joined Manchester United in 1908 and subsequently played for Bradford City and Stoke before retiring in 1913. He was admitted as a solicitor in 1907 and practiced in Manchester. In November 1912 he was elected a director of Manchester United and, apart from the one brief period, remained a director for the rest of his life. He was Chairman of the club from 1950, and also served as president of the Lancashire FA.