*Indicates unconfirmed information. Figures in brackets after English team names indicate all appearances made and goals scored in competitive matches for Football League clubs from 1888 onwards. For Scottish League clubs the figures show details of all competitive appearances and goals scored from 1946/47 onwards.
Ron Vallance
Appearances: 2 Goals: 0
Date / Year of birth: 1st February 1928
Position: Right winger
Season of first appearance: 1950/51
Season of last appearance: 1950/51
Also played for: Ford Sports, West Ham United (0), Upminster Wanderers and Upminster & Hornchurch
5' 10" tall Essex-born winger who first came to prominence during his four years at the Ford Motor Company's Trade School in Dagenham.
Ron played for the successful Trade School team and when his studies were completed he started working for Ford. He went on to serve the company for almost 50 years, initially as a draughtsman / designer and later in quality control.
Ron began his senior football career with Ford Sports - the company team - and one of his work colleagues was a West Ham scout who recommended him to the club. As a result Ron was signed by the Hammers as an amateur in 1944.
He played in the first two games of the 1944/45 London Wartime Combination for West Ham, scoring the only goal in a 5-1 defeat at Clapton Orient on 2.9.44 and also featuring in a 6-1 defeat at Charlton on 9.9.44. They were his only appearances for the Hammers and Ron soon began playing for Ford again.
In 1946 Ron chose to enlist for National Service although the nature of his work meant that he wasn't obliged to join up and he served in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers for two years. The corps was responsible for the maintenance, servicing and inspection of almost every electrical and mechanical piece of equipment within the British Army.
Having completed his National Service Ron resumed his career with Ford Sports.
In August 1950 Ron signed for Margate as an amateur after being recommended to the club by Ron Wilson who he shared an office with at Ford. Wilson had also just signed for Margate.
After scoring in a 4-2 friendly win over Queens Park Rangers at Hartsdown Park on 19.8.50 Ron made his competitive debut on the right wing in 3-0 defeat at Snowdown on 23.8.50 - the opening day of the 1950/51 season and the legendary Almer Hall's first game in charge of Margate. Ron also wore the number seven shirt in a 4-4 home draw with Sittingbourne on 9.9.50 but didn't feature in the first team again and soon left the club. His work commitments and the travelling from his Essex home were major factors in Ron's departure.
He later played for Spartan League outfit Upminster Wanderers and Ron was still with the club in 1953 when they switched to the Delphian League and changed their name to Upminster & Hornchurch. Ron Wilson was the manager of the new club.
After retiring from football Ron developed a keen interest in golf and his work for Ford took him to various locations around the UK. He spent some time in Liverpool before returning to settle back in Essex.
Ron was a keen chess player and in 2009 he was playing for the Wethersfield club in the North Essex Chess League. He was over 80 by then and lived in Blackmore End, Essex.
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
|
FAC |
KSC |
KLC |
KSS |
|
|
1950/51 (MFC) |
2 (41) |
N/A |
0 |
KENT LEAGUE DIVISION ONE (6TH OF 17) |
EPR |
1R |
2R |
RU |
|