Frank Wignall

Summary

Frank Wignall (born 21 August 1939) is an English retired international footballer who played professionally for Everton, Nottingham Forest, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Derby County and Mansfield Town,[2] as well as at international level with England.[3] He later became player-manager of King's Lynn. After a spell with the Qatar national team, In July 1981 he was appointed manager of Shepshed Charterhouse.[4]

Frank Wignall
Wignall in December 1964
Personal information
Full name Frank Wignall[1]
Date of birth (1939-08-21) 21 August 1939 (age 84)
Place of birth Blackrod, England
Position(s) Striker
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1957–1958 Horwich R.M.I
1958–1963 Everton 33 (15)
1963–1968 Nottingham Forest 157 (47)
1968–1969 Wolverhampton Wanderers 32 (15)
1969–1971 Derby County 45 (15)
1971–1973 Mansfield Town 56 (15)
1973–1974 King's Lynn
1974 Burton Albion
Total 323 (107)
International career
1964 England 2 (2)
Managerial career
1973–1974 King's Lynn (player-manager)
1975–1976 Qatar
1981–???? Shepshed Charterhouse
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career edit

Wignall signed for Nottingham Forest from Everton in 1963 for, a then club record transfer of, about £20,000.[5] He made his debut on 24 August 1963 against Aston Villa and scored his first goal in his second game away to Liverpool on 29 August.[6] He was Forest's top scorer during his first two seasons there with 21 goals in the 1963–64 season and 16 goals in the 1964–65 season.[6] His last competitive appearance was in the FA Cup at Leeds United on 17 February 1968.[6]

Wignall played for Derby County between 1969 and 1971, and began the 1971–72 season playing regularly, scoring 5 goals in 11 league appearances. However he was transferred to Mansfield Town late in 1971 and Derby went on to win the First Division title that season in his absence.[7]

International career edit

Wignall played twice for England as a centre forward. He scored his two international goals on his England debut against Wales at Wembley Stadium in a 2–1 victory on 18 November 1964. His second and final game for England was in a 1–1 draw away to the Netherlands.[8] Wignall believed that he might have made the England squad for the 1966 FIFA World Cup, had he not broken his leg, saying that "I was in the England team and Geoff Hurst took my position. All because I broke me leg".[8]

References edit

  1. ^ "Frank Wignall". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  2. ^ Frank Wignall at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Transfer Database
  3. ^ "Frank Wignall". Englandstats.com.  
  4. ^ "Saints Review". Arnold F.C. programme. 27 October 1981. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. ^ Wright, Don (2015). Forever Forest: The Official 150th Anniversary History of the Original Reds. Amberley Publishing Limited. ISBN 9781445635170.
  6. ^ a b c Smales, Ken (2006). Nottingham Forest The Official Statistical History. Pineapple Books.
  7. ^ "Clough's messages, McFarland's radio agony, Durban's wise words - Derby County legends revisit the 71-72 title success". derbytelegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  8. ^ a b "Broken legs, pay rises, managing Qatar – The Nottingham Forest great who 'helped' England win World Cup". nottinghampost.com. 4 April 2021.