Stanley Docking (1934/35 to 1937/38)

Stanley Docking was a powerful and bustling inside-forward who favoured the direct line for goal. Although a big lad, he was not without craft and ball control and was a tireless worker.

Stan was a native of Chopwell, the training ground of many League footballers in the years before the Second World War. He was a member of the Plessey Athletic team that won the Northumberland Junior Cup in 1932.

Docking spent the following two seasons at Birtley apart from a short intervening spell at Stakeford Albion. He signed as an amateur for United on the 1st August 1934, but after impressing in a trial game he signed professional forms a couple of weeks later.

Although he made his debut in January 1935, Docking rarely featured in his first three seasons at the club. He did get a bit of a run in the side at the tail-end of 1936/37 extending into the start of the 1937/38 campaign.

Docking had attracted the interest of a number of clubs and - at the end of the 1937/38 season - he signed for Tranmere who had joined Division Two for the first time. The £1,100 fee set a new record fee paid for them.

In various newspaper reports his height and weight were recorded differently which is why there is a range in the table.