West Ham United

Fred Corbett

Born: 1883

Signed: 1899

Position: Forward

Appearances: 35

Goals: 15

Left: 1902 (Bristol Rovers)

Fred Corbett was born in London in 1883. Corbett was employed as a labourer at the Thames Iron Works. He played his first game for the football club on 16th September, 1899, against Reading. However, he did not score his first goal until the following season when he got the winner against Swindon Town. Corbett played 21 games that season and scored a total of 7 goals. Only the great Billy Grassam scored more goals for West Ham that season. Corbett got a hat-trick against Wellingborough at the beginning of the 1901-02 season. However, Syd King often played George Radcliffe and Fergus Hunt instead of Corbett. In 1902 Corbett moved to Bristol Rovers. He also had spells with Bristol City and Brentford. According to Phil Vasili, Colouring Over the White Line (2000), Corbett was one of the first black footballers to play in England.