Jerry Lowery (1947/48 to 1951/52)

During the war Jerry Lowery (aged sixteen) joined Leicester City under their coaching scheme. He was only just over five feet tall at the time, but put in some remarkably fine performances for the “Colts” and was also called up by the Royal Navy.

After the war Jerry was receiving rave reviews for his performances in non-league football for CA Parsons and United had to fight hard to secure his signature in front of Sunderland, Tottenham and Bradford.

He joined at the beginning of June 1947 at a time when there was some uncertainty whether Jack Fairbrother was going to join United or stay at Preston.

There was no doubt he was a capable ‘keeper and was noted particularly for his positioning and ability to come off his line and narrow the angle. One journalist even likened him to Harry Hibbs, Birmingham’s pre-war international custodian.

However, Jerry had two very good goalkeepers in Fairbrother and Garbutt ahead of him and as a result, he spent most of his time playing for the Thirds.

He played in a friendly at Groningen a year later and reporter Stan Bell was effusive in his praise. “Seldom have I seen a greater performance. He had the crowd to a man jumping from their garden seats which skirt their pitch, throwing away their cigars and yelling in appreciation. His ability and positioning were uncanny”.

He finally made his first team debut in April 1950 (when both Fairbrother and Garbutt were injured) and performed well in the last five games of the season.

Finding himself back in the Third team at the start of 1950/51 he put in a transfer request, but he ended up staying.

During the summer of 1951 Lincoln City had made a bid for him, but he turned down the move saying “I’m happy at United”. And when they came back for him in December, United were reluctant to let him leave due to injuries. He finally made the move to Sincil Bank in February for £750.

When he was playing for the “A” Team at Morpeth Town in the 1950/51 season, he scored the fourth United goal, in a 4-0 victory, from a penalty.

And after moving to Peterborough he was playing at Stowmarket in October 1954 when two supporters behind the goal started threatening and abusing him for shouting advice and encouragement to the backs. He told them to mind their own business and they ran onto the field. One of them attacked Lowery who defended himself and players and officials has to rush to the scene to stop the fight.