Played for Villa: 1936-1948
Position: Centre forward
Appearances: 53
Jackie Martin signed from Hednesford Town in 1934 on part-time terms, and graduated to the first team in 1936. Alas, progress was almost non-existent and he played just twice until the start of the 1938-1939 season, possibly because he never gave up his job as a full-time school teacher. He proved his worth in that 1st Division campaign, scoring nine times, and bagging a celebrated hat-trick against Birmingham in early March. The familiar pattern was to follow - war caused his footballing career to falter, and although he played during hostilities (and represented a select England 11), his chances of achieving great things at senior level were dashed. Seasons 1946-1947 and 1947-1948 saw him play for Villa 69 more times, netting 14 goals. By now he was 34 years old, and reaching the end of his playing days. He never signed for another League club.
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Position: Centre forward
Appearances: 53
Jackie Martin signed from Hednesford Town in 1934 on part-time terms, and graduated to the first team in 1936. Alas, progress was almost non-existent and he played just twice until the start of the 1938-1939 season, possibly because he never gave up his job as a full-time school teacher. He proved his worth in that 1st Division campaign, scoring nine times, and bagging a celebrated hat-trick against Birmingham in early March. The familiar pattern was to follow - war caused his footballing career to falter, and although he played during hostilities (and represented a select England 11), his chances of achieving great things at senior level were dashed. Seasons 1946-1947 and 1947-1948 saw him play for Villa 69 more times, netting 14 goals. By now he was 34 years old, and reaching the end of his playing days. He never signed for another League club.
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