Bert Freeman

Lore & Background

Freeman was born in Handsworth, Staffordshire, and attended Gower Street School in Aston. He signed professionally for Aston Villa in April 1904 but failed to make an impact, transferring to Woolwich Arsenal in November 1905. He scored on his Arsenal debut and netted 24 goals in 49 appearances across three seasons. In April 1908 he joined Everton for £350. He made his Everton debut in a goalless draw away to Liverpool on 17 April 1908. In his first full season he scored 38 goals from 37 appearances, becoming the First Division's top scorer and breaking the record for most Football League goals in a season. He formed a partnership with former Arsenal teammate Tim Coleman. Freeman won his first England cap on 15 March 1909 against Wales, scoring England's second goal in a 2–0 victory. He earned five caps in total, scoring three goals. He left Everton in 1911 after 67 goals in 94 appearances, joining Burnley for £800. At Burnley he was the Second Division's top scorer in 1911–12 with 32 goals and again in 1912–13 with 31 goals, helping Burnley secure promotion to the First Division. He also won the FA Cup with Burnley in 1913–14.

Reader's Guide

Freeman is remembered as a prolific centre forward whose goal-scoring records stood for decades. His 38 league goals in 1908–09 broke the previous record and remained unbroken until 1925–26. He was a key figure in Everton's runners-up finish in 1908–09 and in Burnley's promotion and FA Cup success. His England career was brief but included a goal on debut.

Did You Know?

• Freeman scored 38 league goals in the 1908–09 season, breaking the Football League record previously held by Sam Raybould.
• He scored in 10 successive league appearances between 10 October and 12 December 1908, netting 17 goals in that run.
• Freeman scored a hat-trick against Sheffield United and another against Sunderland during his record-breaking season.
• He was the first player to win the First Division Golden Boot with Everton in 1909.
• Freeman's transfer from Arsenal to Everton was later described as 'one of the great transfer blunders of those early years'.