Steve Bloomer

1. Overview

Stephen Bloomer (20 January 1874 - 16 April 1938) was a celebrated England international footballer and manager, primarily known for his prolific goalscoring and tenure with Derby County and Middlesbrough. He holds the record as Derby County's all-time leading goalscorer and is considered one of the most significant figures in English football history.

Bloomer was a quick-thinking forward renowned for his powerful and accurate shots with either foot, a skill he termed the daisy cutter-a low shot, hit with great power, speed, and accuracy. In 535 First Division games, he scored 314 goals, making him the second-highest all-time goalscorer in the top-flight of English football, only behind Jimmy Greaves. For England, he scored an impressive 28 goals in 23 appearances. His club career highlights include helping Derby County win the Second Division title in the 1911-12 season and finishing second in the First Division in 1895-96. He also played in three FA Cup finals (1898, 1899, and 1903).

Beyond football, Bloomer was also a notable baseball player, contributing significantly to the Derby Baseball Club's three British championship wins in the 1890s. His life took an unexpected turn during World War I when he was interned at the Ruhleben civilian detention camp in Germany. Despite the harsh conditions, Bloomer played a vital role in organizing and participating in sports activities within the camp, which provided a crucial outlet and fostered resilience among prisoners. He famously stated that he and many others "would not have survived without football," highlighting the sport's profound social and psychological impact in dire circumstances. After retiring as a player, Bloomer embarked on a coaching career, leading clubs in Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain, most notably guiding Real Unión to a Copa del Rey victory in 1924.

Bloomer's legacy is deeply embedded in the history of Derby County, where the anthem "Steve Bloomer's Watchin'" is played before every home game, and a bust of him stands at Pride Park Stadium. He is also recognized in the Football League 100 Legends and the English Football Hall of Fame.

2. Early Life and Formative Years

Stephen Bloomer was born in Cradley, Worcestershire (now part of the West Midlands), on 20 January 1874. He was the eldest of six children born to Caleb Bloomer, a blacksmith and iron foundry worker, and Merab Dunn. When Stephen was five years old, his family relocated to Litchurch, Derbyshire, where his father began working for Ley's Malleable Castings foundry in Derby, established by Francis Ley.

At the age of 12, Bloomer left school and began an apprenticeship with a local blacksmith. This early experience was instrumental in developing his physical strength, which would later prove beneficial in his athletic career. Bloomer possessed a natural aptitude for football, a talent he himself described as "a natural gift."

His first notable appearance in the Derby football scene was on 11 April 1887, playing for St. Chad's Choir in the 1887 Derbyshire Boys' Shield under-15 final. Although his team suffered a significant 14-0 defeat to a dominant St. Luke's Choir, Bloomer's individual performance left a strong impression. Tragically, his mother died later that year, on 27 November 1887, at their home on Yates Street in Derby.

In 1888, shortly after his 14th birthday, Stephen started working as a 'striker' at Ley's iron foundry, where his father Caleb and uncle Farley were also employed. During this period, he also began playing football for Derby Swifts in the Derbyshire Minor League. On 20 December 1890, he displayed his goalscoring prowess by netting seven goals against Belper Town in a remarkable 22-2 victory. In 1891, he joined Derby Midland and played in the Midland League, making an appearance in a 1-1 draw with Burton Swifts on 27 March. His brother, Philip Bloomer, also played for Derby County but sadly passed away from peritonitis in 1896, having made only one appearance for the senior team.

3. Playing Career

Steve Bloomer's playing career spanned two decades, during which he established himself as one of England's most prolific goalscorers at both club and international levels. His exceptional skill and dedication led to numerous individual accolades and significant contributions to his teams.

4. Other Sports: Baseball

In addition to his celebrated football career, Steve Bloomer also distinguished himself as a prominent baseball player in England. His involvement in the sport began early, with an appearance on 13 May 1893, playing at first base for St. James's in a 17-34 defeat against Vulcan in Derby. This match marked the opening of the 1893-1894 Derbyshire Baseball Association season. The Vulcan team included many former members of the original Derby Baseball Club, which had disbanded in 1890 but reformed later that year. On 10 June 1893, Bloomer also played for a Rest of League team against Derby, in a game that ended in a 22-26 defeat.

Bloomer later joined the Derby Baseball Club, making his debut for the team at the age of 20 on 5 May 1894, at the Baseball Ground in Derby. Jack Robinson, the Derby County goalkeeper, also made his baseball debut on the same day. In 1894, Derby reached the semi-finals of the English Cup but lost to Thespians.

The Derby Baseball Club, with Bloomer playing at first base, went on to win the English Baseball Cup on 17 August 1895, beating Fullers in the final held at Derby's Baseball Ground. That season, the team recorded an impressive 16 wins against only five losses. Derby secured the English Cup again in 1897, defeating Middlesbrough in the final. The trophy was won for a third time on 19 August 1899, when Derby beat Notts Forest 14-3 in the final. Bloomer captained the team in this final and played at second base.

In 1900, Derby County formed its own baseball team, which Bloomer played for that season. Their inaugural game was on 19 May 1900, and the team included several players who were, or had been, members of the Derby County football team, such as Enos Bromage, Hugh McQueen, Jonathan Staley, John Goodall, and Jimmy Methven. This team competed in a local league against sides from Derby, Ilkeston, Belper, Chesterfield, and Nottingham Forest. However, both Derby baseball teams appear to have ceased operations after 1900.

5. Internment during World War I

In July 1914, after retiring as a player, Steve Bloomer traveled to Germany to take on a coaching role with Britannia Berlin 92. However, within three weeks of his arrival, World War I broke out. When Germany declared war on Russia, his contract was immediately cancelled. Herr Fauber, the President of Britannia Berlin 92, advised Bloomer to leave Germany as quickly as possible, but he found himself unable to depart the country before Britain declared war on Germany on 4 August 1914.

On 5 August 1914, anxious to leave, Bloomer went to the British Consul office in Berlin. He and his translator were stopped by two gendarmes and, along with about a dozen other individuals, were marched through the streets of Berlin to the Alexander Platz, accompanied by guards armed with revolvers and swords. At Alexander Platz, he was questioned by magistrates and subsequently arrested. Bloomer was given a slip of paper with his name and description and instructed to report to the police periodically.

On 6 November 1914, he was interned at Ruhleben, a civilian detention camp located in the Spandau district of Berlin. The camp housed between 4,000 and 5,500 prisoners. Bloomer was one of several former professional footballers among the detainees. Other notable footballers included his former England colleague Sam Wolstenholme, his former Middlesbrough teammate Fred Pentland, Scotland international John Cameron, John Brearley (formerly of Everton and Tottenham Hotspur), and German international Edwin Dutton, who had previously played for Britannia Berlin 92.

Gradually, a mini-society evolved within the camp, and football became an immensely popular activity, providing a crucial outlet and a sense of normalcy for the internees. The Ruhleben Football Association was formed, organizing cup and league competitions that attracted as many as 1,000 spectators for larger games. Teams adopted the names of established professional clubs. In November 1914, Bloomer captained a Tottenham Hotspur XI, which also included Dutton, to victory in a cup final against an Oldham Athletic XI. On 2 May 1915, an England XI featuring Pentland, Wolstenholme, Brearley, and Bloomer played a World XI captained by Cameron.

Beyond football, Bloomer also participated in other sports at the camp. He played cricket on an area they called 'The Oval', which was often played to packed houses. In May 1915, a Rubleben XI, including Bloomer and Brearley, played a Varsities XI in the Ruhleben Cricket League. In July 1916, a Lancashire XI featuring Bloomer defeated a Yorkshire XI that included Wolstenholme. Bloomer set a camp batting record with an innings of 204 and recorded impressive bowling figures of 6 for 15. Athletics competitions were also held, with Bloomer winning the 'Old Age Handicap' at the Ruhleben Olympics, sprinting 75 yards in 9.6 seconds.

Bloomer's presence and active participation in these sporting events made him a well-known and respected figure within the camp; "Everybody in camp knew 'Steve'." When he finally left Ruhleben in March 1918, a farewell football match was staged in his honor. Bloomer was released to neutral Holland, where he was employed as a coach for Blauw-Wit Amsterdam. He was not permitted to return home to England until the war's conclusion. Reflecting on his time in Ruhleben, Bloomer later emphasized the profound importance of these activities, stating, "Myself and many others would not have survived without football," underscoring the crucial role sports played in maintaining morale and providing a coping mechanism during the difficult period of internment.

6. Coaching Career

Immediately following World War I, Steve Bloomer briefly coached Blauw-Wit Amsterdam in the Netherlands. He returned to England on 22 November 1918, becoming player-coach of the Derby County reserve team before fully retiring from playing in January 1920. He then served as coach of the Derby first team in 1921. Between May and August 1922, he traveled to Montréal, Canada, to coach the Grenadier Guards football team during their off-season, returning to England on 11 August 1922 to resume his coaching duties with Derby County.

In 1923, Bloomer moved to Spain to become the coach of Real Unión. The highlight of his coaching career came in 1924 when he guided Real Unión to victory in the Copa del Rey. During the 1920s, before the establishment of the national league, the Copa del Rey was effectively a play-off to determine the Spanish champions. Teams qualified by winning their regional titles, with Real Unión representing Guipuzcoa.

Nine other regional champions also qualified for the competition. In the first round, Real Unión defeated Sevilla FC, the champions of Andalusia, with a 3-1 aggregate score. In the semi-final, they faced the Catalan champions, FC Barcelona, who were coached by another Englishman, Jack Greenwell. Barcelona's squad boasted formidable players such as Paulino Alcántara, Sagibarba, and Josep Samitier. Despite this, Real Unión overcame FC Barcelona with a decisive 5-1 victory after a replay. They then proceeded to defeat Real Madrid, the champions of central Spain, 1-0 in the final, securing the prestigious Copa del Rey title.

After completing his coaching tenure with Real Unión, Bloomer returned to England and settled back in Derby.

7. Later Life and Death

After his coaching career in Spain concluded, Steve Bloomer returned to England and Derby. He spent the remainder of his life working as a groundsman and general assistant at the Baseball Ground, the home of Derby County. In 1937, Derby County sponsored a grand tour for Bloomer, allowing him to travel to Australia and New Zealand.

Sadly, three weeks after his return from this journey, Steve Bloomer died in Derby on 16 April 1938, at the age of 64. The cause of his death was bronchitis. His passing marked the end of an era for one of English football's pioneering figures.

8. Legacy and Recognition

Steve Bloomer's contributions to football have been extensively recognized, solidifying his status as a legend of the sport. His enduring legacy is particularly strong at Derby County, where the club anthem, "Steve Bloomer's Watchin'", is played and sung before every home game, ensuring his name remains central to the club's identity. He is also honored with a bust at Pride Park Stadium, the club's modern home. This bust was officially unveiled on 17 January 2009, after a long and sustained period of campaigning by fans and supporters. Bloomer's two grandsons, Steve Richards and Alan Quantrill, unveiled the bust in the presence of his family, the sculptor Andy Edwards, and thousands of Derby County fans.

Bloomer has been inducted into two prestigious halls of fame, recognizing his outstanding career: the Football League 100 Legends and the English Football Hall of Fame. Further recognition of his birthplace in Bridge Street, Cradley, came in 2000 with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque by former Wolverhampton Wanderers and Derby player Jimmy Dunn and Bloomer's grandson Steve Richards.

His impact also extends internationally. Real Unión, the Spanish club he famously coached to a Copa del Rey victory, held a "Steve Bloomer Day" on 21 January 2017, in tribute to his birthday and contributions. In recognition of his significance to both clubs, Real Unión and Derby County established an annual friendly match for the Steve Bloomer Trophy, with the first contest held in Irun on 3 October 2017.

On 16 February 2018, a Blue plaque honoring Bloomer was unveiled on his former school building in Portland Street, Derby. The ceremony, organized by the Derby Civic Society, was attended by the Mayor of Derby, Councillor John Whitby. The plaque reads:
Steve Bloomer

1874-1938

Footballer

Played for Derby County FC (1892-1914) and capped 23 times for his Country

Brought up in Portland Street, he received his earliest education in this building

9. Career Statistics

Steve Bloomer's extensive career statistics demonstrate his remarkable consistency and prolific goalscoring ability across both club and international football.