On this day in 1918, former Northampton Town captain and player-manager George Fredrick Lessons was killed in action in France while serving with the Northampton Regiment.

Born in Heaton Norris, Cheshire, on 30 August 1883, Lessons played for Lawrence’s and Notts Jardine before joining Nottingham Forest in April 1904, where he made 34 appearances and scored eight goals.

At the close of the 1907 season, Herbert Chapman brought Lessons to Northampton Town. After a slow start, he began finding the net regularly and formed a formidable partnership with Albert Lewis.

Their goals helped the Cobblers win the Southern League Championship in 1908/09, with Lessons scoring 23 goals in 40 Southern League appearances that season.

Primarily a centre-forward, Lessons was also a useful centre-half and often filled in at number five during emergencies.

When Walter Bull left Northampton, the manager’s job was offered to Edwin Lloyd Davies, who turned it down due to business commitments. Lessons took over and became the club’s player-manager.

Lessons made his Northampton debut against Plymouth Argyle on 2 September 1907, scored his first goal against Brighton on 14 September and went on to make 249 appearances and score 79 goals for the Cobblers. His final game came against Luton Town on 26 December 1914.

When the First World War broke out, all players’ contracts were cancelled. Lessons joined the 1st Battalion of the Northampton Regiment and rose to Lance Corporal.

On 7 September 1918, he was killed in action in France.

Fred Lessons’ time at Northampton included 249 appearances, 79 goals, a Southern League Championship, and spells as captain and player-manager.

Fred Lessons – 1883–1918

“Tranquil you lie, your knightly virtue proved.”