Farewell:
Transferred to Plymouth Argyle, 05/1903, £
Passed Away:
01/1947
Biography
Jack Banks was already a very experienced player by the time he joined Newton Heath. After starting out with Oldbury Town as a 15-year-old, he joined hometown club WBA in December 1893. Two years later, as WBA and Aston Villa contested the FA Cup final for the third time in nine years, Jack collected a losers' medal.
Initially a forward, Banks was converted into a half-back once it became obvious he was not much of a scorer! He stayed with Albion until 1901 when they lost their Division One status. He dropped into the Second Division for 1901-02 but in Heath's colours instead, making his debut against Gainsborough Trinity on September 7th. In his fourth outing, he obtained his only league goal for the club... in strange circumstances: Blackpool's keeper fisted the ball which rebounded off Banks' back into the net to put Heath 3-1 up after only five minutes of play!
After playing in Newton Heath's last ever campaign, he played in Manchester United's first ever one in 1902-03. 1903-04 was also a historic season - Plymouth Argyle's inaugural season in the Southern League and Banks was there by then, making his bow versus West Ham on September 19th. Alongside him in the lineup were three other players with United connections: Peddie, Picken and Fitchett.
In three years with Argyle, Jack demonstrated his versatility, turning up in various positions in his 82 league and cup outings. He finally left in 1906, destination - Leyton, who had just won promotion to the Southern League Division One.
More historic events followed in 1907: Banks became Exeter City's first professional as they themselves embarked on a new spell in that same competition. He was also a coach there, eventually becoming a trainer in 1910. Finally, in 1912, he took over a similar position at Barrow and kept it for over a decade.
