Frank Watkin (30 March 1904 – 26 January 1979) was an English footballer who played at centre-forward for Congleton Town, Stoke City, and Port Vale. He won the Third Division North title with both Stoke and Vale, but never nailed down a regular first team place despite scoring a combined total of 12 goals in 18 league games for the two clubs. His brother, Arthur Watkin, was also a footballer who played for Stoke.

Career

Watkin played for Congleton Town, before joining Stoke City. He featured in five Third Division North games in the 1926–27 title winning season, and scored in three games in a row: a 2–1 win over Crewe Alexandra at the Victoria Ground (12 March), a 2–2 draw with Stockport County at Edgeley Park (19 March), and a 4–0 home win over Southport (26 March). However this was the extent of his appearances with the "Potters".

Frank Watkin

He was signed by local rivals Port Vale in June 1929. He picked up a knee injury in a 2–2 draw at Rotherham United on 19 October 1929, which kept him on the sidelines for four months. He made his return in style, gaining revenge over Rotherham by scoring five goals in a 7–1 win over them at the reverse fixture at The Old Recreation Ground on 22 February. He finished the 1929–30 Third Division North title winning season with nine goals in 13 appearances. He struggled to nail down a place in the side though, and never featured in the 1930–31 Second Division season. He was given a free transfer back to former club Congleton in April 1931.

Frank Watkin

Career statistics

Source:

Frank Watkin

Honours

Stoke City

Football League Third Division North: 1926–27

Port Vale

Football League Third Division North: 1929–30

References

Footballers from Stoke-on-Trent

English men's footballers

Men's association football forwards

Congleton Town F.C. players

Stoke City F.C. players

Port Vale F.C. players

English Football League players

1904 births

1979 deaths