Signed from Sandbach Ramblers in 1925 Harry Burgess made his County debut at Hull City on March 13 1926. He made two more appearances before the end of what proved to be a very tough season for the Hatters.

Despite being able to call on County legends such as goalkeeper Harry Hardy - still the only player to be capped by England whilst at Edgeley Park - Billy Bocking and Ted Critchley the Hatters were relegated to Division Three (North) for the second time in their history.

However, unlike 1921-22, County couldn't manage to bounce back to Division Two at the first attempt - they finished 6th - but Burgess flourished.

He hit his first Hatters' goal in a 3-3 draw with Lincoln at Edgeley Park on September 4 1926, ending the season as the club's leading marksman with an impressive 28 goals from 35 games.

Former Bolton centre-forward Joe Smith took centre stage the following season when his 38 goals, from 40 games, was the highest total from any player in the division.

Burgess, though, still chipped in with a dozen and, in 1928-29, weighed in with another 31 to top score for the second time in three years. It took his tally to an impressive 72 goals from just 121 starts.

First Division scouts had been flocking to Edgeley Park to keep tabs on the 25-year-old but, although Arsenal and Newcastle United made attempts to sign him, it was League Champions The [Sheffield] Wednesday who proved the most persuasive.

On June 28 1929 Burgess became County's most expensive export when he moved to Hillsborough for £3,500, a fee that was equalled just seven days later when Charlie Gee left Edgeley Park for Everton.

Burgess scored on his Owls debut - a 3-1 win at Aston Villa - four games into the 1929-30 season. He kept his place throughout the rest of the campaign, scoring another 18 goals to help the South Yorkshire giants to their second-successive title.


His prolific form came to the attention of the England selectors and, in 1930-31, he won caps against Scotland, Northern Ireland, France and Belgium. His England debut was alongside Dixie Dean in the Hampden Park cauldron packed by 129,000 supporters.

But, after scoring four goals for the Three Lions, why he was not selected again remains a mystery.

Burgess continued to score regularly for his club side and he became a huge favourite with the Hillsborough faithful.

After 77 goals for Wednesday in 234 appearances it was a big shock when he was allowed to join Chelsea in March 1935.

Now 31, the powerful, time-served joiner, could still cut it at the highest level. Asked by a Stamford Bridge official where he got his muscles from Burgess replied, "from carrying planks up ladders!"

Physical strength was only part of the inside-forward's armoury, though. He had a real eye for goal - a renowned penalty expert - and was a very clever dribbler.

When World War Two forced the suspension of the Football League programme Burgess had scored 37 goals in 155 League and Cup appearances for the Pensioners.

Although Chelsea retained his contract until 1943 Burgess returned to Edgeley Park to guest for his first club in the War League; six goals in just seven appearances showed he had lost none of his predatory instincts.

One of County's greatest forwards, Harry Burgess sadly passed away in 1957.

Harry Burgess' League Record
Club	Date Joined	Apps	Gls
Stockport County	August 1925	112	72
Sheffield Wednesday	June 1929	215	70
Chelsea	March 1935	142	33
Total		469	175