Frank Morteshed

Name: Francis Austin Morteshed (Mortishead) EGM
Born: 21 April 1897, Summerhill, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary
Died: 14 April 1948, Belfast (age 51)
Height: 6.04 ft
Position: Centre-Forward

Representative Honours: Ireland: 1 Amateur Cap (1927).
Club Honours: (with Cliftonville) Irish Cup Runner-Up 1926/27; Co. Antrim Shield Winner 1925/26.

Club Career:

Teams	Seasons	Signed	Fee	League	FA Cup	Other
Brantwood	-	-	-	-	-	-
Fortwilliam	-	-	-	(Alliance Third Division)
Cliftonville	24/25-??/??	-	Amateur	*/78	-	-
TOTALS	-	£0		-	-	-

Biography:

In his day-job, Frank Morteshed was a policeman of great courage. He was awarded a British Empire Medal for bravery after, at great personal risk, capturing a man who was subsequently hanged for murder.

On the field of Morteshed, who stood well over six fee in height, also showed great pluck when leading the line. Described as awkward, but fast and his "occasional touches [showed] that the right idea [was] there." He could "drive a ball with punch and accuracy." His style was compared to that of a young Charlie Buchan, who had possessed a similarly gangly frame.

Previously with Brantwood and Fortwilliam, Morteshed rose from Cliftonville Olympic to senior football during the 1924/25 season. His impact was immediate as the Reds' "scoring record went up in most striking fashion, much to the joy of the supporters of the virile club that flourishes at Solitude."

In 1926 Cliftonville claimed their first Co. Antrim Shield win since 1898, hammering Glentoran 5-1 in the final largely thanks to a Morteshed hattrick. In a season that also brought an appearance in the Gold Cup final, Morteshed managed 23 goals, including another treble against Barn.

The following year they reached the Irish Cup final where, despite a Morteshed goal they lost 3-2 to Ards. With 78 goals, nearly a century on Morteshed remains high on the list of the Reds all-time topscorers.

Morteshed was honoured by Amateur Ireland for the only time in November 1927 when he led the line in a 1-1 draw against England at Blackpool.

Morteshed scores against Barn for Cliftonville, 1925/26

VC Online

CliftonvilleFC

Ireland Amateur Cap Details:
12-11-1927 England A D 1-1

Summary: 1/0. Won 0, Drew 1, Lost 0.

Biographical details from an ISN article kindly supplied by Jim Murphy.