John Friar (18 July 1911 – 22 May 1979) was a Scottish footballer who played on the right-wing. He represented Carluke Rovers, Bradford City, Hibernian, Portsmouth, Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic, Port Vale, Preston North End, Norwich City, and Ipswich Town.
Career Friar played for Carluke Rovers and Bradford City, before joining Hibernian. He made his debut on 8 August 1931, in a 1–0 win over Alloa Athletic at Easter Road, and scored his first goal for "Hibs" ten days later in a 3–1 win over Arbroath. He scored a total of 11 goals in 25 Second Division appearances in the 1931–32 season. He moved back to England in April 1932 when he signed with Portsmouth. In 1933, he and Jack Surtees were traded to Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic, with Len Williams moving in the opposite direction. He joined Port Vale in July 1934 and scored on his debut on 25 August, a 2–0 win over Sheffield United at the Old Recreation Ground. He went on to score braces in home wins over Southampton, Manchester United and Bury, and boasted a total of ten goals in the opening 18 Second Division games of the season. This record led him to be snapped up by First Division side Preston North End in December 1934, in exchange for Ted Critchley and a cash balance. He later played for Norwich City and Ipswich Town.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsBradford City1929–30Second Division00000000Hibernian1931–32Scottish Division One251100002511Portsmouth1932–33First Division11000011Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic1933–34Third Division South341120223813Port Vale1934–35Second Division181000001810Preston North End1934–35First Division23861002991935–36First Division30000030Total2686100329Norwich City1935–36Second Division12220001421936–37Second Division13300001331937–38Second Division3410100035101938–39Second Division2331000243Total821840008618Ipswich Town1939–4000000000Career total186591212220062
References