Mexborough and Swinton Times December 13, 1929

Eric Longden.
Goldthorpe Man’s Progress.
A Chance That Was Taken

Eric Longden, of Tickhill Avenue, Goldthorpe, has been doing very well recently in the Leeds senior team, and on Saturday at Old Trafford got the ball in the net twice inside a minute before he scored the only goal that counted to his side. The other two were ruled out on the score of offside. One of the critics was greatly struck by the daintiness of Longden’s work, considering his bulk, and generally he has been impressing with his promise.

Longden is 24 years of age, 51t. 11ins. in height, and 12st. 2lbs. in weight. He began his career with Highgate as a centre-half six years ago. He went next to Goldthorpe Comrades, now defunct, but formerly a power in the land of local junior football.

Later still he was with Highgate St. Michael’s. He made his first step towards football fame when in February, 1924, Doncaster Rovers spotted him and he accepted an engagement with them. lie first turned out as an inside-left and for a time did not get much opportunity in the senior eleven, owing to the presence of McConnell.

Shortly after Manager Dick Ray returned to Leeds, Longden was among the players he persuaded to follow him, and in the beginning of this year Longden joined the Leeds “nursery.” He turned out regularly at inside-right for the reserve team with occasional appearance in the first team at centre-half during the absences of Hart. His big chance came three weeks ago, when as a result of an injury to White he was called on to fill the inside-right berth, and justified himself. During his last two appearances with Leeds he has scored five goals, two of which have been disallowed.

Quick thinking, fast, clever with his head, he is admirably built for centre-half and it is in the half-back line that he is most happy. He is attracting favourable notice all round, and other clubs have an eye on him.