30.7.12

Spectacles

During my lifetime I can think of at least three players wearing spectacles at a high level of the game- Jef Jurion (Belgium), Joop Van Daele (Feyenoord) and Edgar Davids (numerous clubs and Netherlands).
Before the introduction of contact lenses (Jack Howe wore them playing in 1948), I'm sure that many more footballers must have taken to the pitch wearing their glasses. There are already a couple of unknown examples on this blog- see the OLLS and Tokyo Soccer Club pictures.
Here are two notable examples:



J.F Mitchell played in goal for Preston North End and Manchester City. He won one England cap (v Ireland, 1925) and wore spectacles throughout his career. In the 1922 Preston v Huddersfield FA Cup final Mitchell employed, albeit unsuccessfully, 'Grobbelaar'-type tactics in an attempt to put off a penalty taker. 


 Annibale Frossi was an Italian forward who played most of his career with Società Sportiva Ambrosiana (now Internazionale Milano). He won 5 caps for The Azzuri, scoring 8 goals, including 2 in the 1936 Olympic Final.