Debut:
26/10/1946 v Sunderland (H) 3-0 (League Division One)
Farewell:
Transferred to Derby County, 03/1949, £24,000
Passed Away:
06/04/2011 (age 87)
Biography
John “Johnny” Morris was born in Radcliffe, Lancashire, on 27 September 1923. A skilful and combative inside-forward, he became an important member of Matt Busby’s first successful Manchester United side before enjoying notable spells with Derby County and Leicester City.
Morris joined Manchester United as a teenager in 1939 and turned professional in 1941. Like many players of his generation, however, the Second World War delayed the beginning of his official Football League career. During the wartime football programme, he also appeared as a guest player for several clubs, including Bolton Wanderers, Charlton Athletic, Everton and Wrexham.
His competitive Manchester United debut came on 26 October 1946, when United defeated Sunderland 3–0 at Maine Road. Old Trafford was still being repaired after suffering bomb damage during the war, so Maine Road served as the club’s temporary home.
Operating mainly at inside-right, Morris established himself in a gifted forward line that also included Jimmy Delaney, Stan Pearson, Jack Rowley and Charlie Mitten. He was an inventive and technically accomplished player who combined intelligent passing with a considerable goalscoring threat. His forceful personality and determination also made him a lively and sometimes controversial presence on the field.
Morris enjoyed an excellent 1947/48 season, scoring regularly as United challenged near the top of the First Division and progressed through the FA Cup. He appeared in every round of the cup run and scored against Aston Villa and Liverpool. Morris then helped United defeat Blackpool 4–2 in the final at Wembley on 24 April 1948, securing the club’s first major trophy under Busby and its first FA Cup since 1909.
He remained a prominent member of the side during the following campaign, but Manchester United unexpectedly accepted a record offer from Derby County in March 1949. His transfer fee of £24,000 was widely reported as a new British record. Morris left United having made 93 competitive appearances and scored 35 goals.
At Derby, Morris joined one of the strongest teams in post-war English football. His flair, aggression and goalscoring ability made him a major attraction at the Baseball Ground. He registered 47 goals in 140 appearances in all competitions for the Rams, including two hat-tricks. His Derby performances also brought him international recognition.
Morris made his England debut against Norway in Oslo on 18 May 1949 and marked the occasion by scoring in a 4–1 victory. Four days later, he scored twice as England defeated France 3–1 in Paris. He made his third and final international appearance against the Republic of Ireland in September 1949, finishing his brief England career with the exceptional record of three goals from three appearances.
In October 1952, Morris moved from Derby County to Leicester City for a club-record fee. He spent six seasons at Filbert Street, initially continuing as an inside-forward before later being employed in a deeper right-half role. He made more than 200 league appearances for Leicester and helped the club win the Second Division championship in both 1953/54 and 1956/57.
After leaving the Football League in 1958, Morris became player-manager of Corby Town. He later played for Kettering Town and went on to manage Rugby Town, Great Harwood and Oswestry Town.
Johnny Morris died in Manchester on 6 April 2011 at the age of 87. Remembered as a fiery, gifted and highly competitive footballer, he occupies an important place in Manchester United history as a member of Matt Busby’s first trophy-winning team and in Derby County history as one of the most celebrated British-record signings of the post-war period.
