Introduction
Harold Albert "Harry" Lovatt (18 August 1905 – 1984) was an English footballer. A much-travelled forward, he played for Port Vale, Preston North End, Crewe Alexandra, Bradford City, Wrexham, Scarborough, Leicester City, Notts County, Northampton Town, Macclesfield Town, Stafford Rangers, and Winsford United.
Playing career
In his youth, Lovatt played for local non-league clubs Wood Lane United, Red Street St Chad's and Audley. In 1923 he joined Port Vale, the next year moving on to Preston North End, but failed to make a league appearances for either club.
In 1925 he joined Crewe Alexandra, scoring 14 goals in 27 Third Division North games. He spent part of 1926 with Bradford City, scoring three goals in 13 Second Division games before joining Welsh club Wrexham, scoring five goals in 11 Third Division North games. He spent the 1927–28 season with Midland League side Scarborough, and became the club's top-scorer with 40 league and cup goals. This record won him a contract with Leicester City, and he scored five goals in four First Division games in the 1928–29 season, including a hat-trick in a 6–1 win over Bolton Wanderers at Filbert Street on 4 May. He scored four goals in five league games in 1929–30, but played just one game in 1930–31 before moving to Notts County in December 1930.
Three goals in nine games at County followed, as he helped the "Magpies" to win the Third Division South title. He moved on once again in 1931, joining Northampton Town. He struck seven times in 14 Third Division South games before he left the Football League to join up with Macclesfield Town, Stafford Rangers and then Winsford United.
Statistics
- Sourced from Harry Lovatt profile at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
| Club | Season | Division | League | FA Cup | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Port Vale | 1923–24 | Second Division | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Preston North End | 1924–25 | First Division | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Crewe Alexandra | 1925–26 | Third Division North | 27 | 14 | 4 | 1 | 31 | 15 |
| Bradford City | 1923–24 | Second Division | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 |
| 1924–25 | Second Division | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| Total | 13 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 3 | ||
| Wrexham | 1926–27 | Third Division North | 11 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 5 |
| Leicester City | 1928–29 | First Division | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 |
| 1929–30 | First Division | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 4 | |
| 1930–31 | First Division | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 10 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 9 | ||
| Notts County | 1930–31 | Third Division South | 7 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 1 |
| 1931–32 | Second Division | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |
| Total | 9 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 3 | ||
| Northampton Town | 1931–32 | Third Division South | 14 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 18 | 11 |
| Macclesfield Town | 1932–33 | Cheshire County League | 4 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 4 |
Honours
- with Leicester City
- Football League First Division runner-up: 1928–29
- with Notts County
- Football League Third Division South champion: 1930–31