Harry Bland

{{Short description|English footballer (1898–1960)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2016}} {{Use British English|date=June 2016}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Harry Bland | image = <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.greensonscreen.co.uk/gosdb-players2.asp?pid=78 | title=GoS-DB Players }}</ref> | caption = | fullname = William Henry Bland | birth_date = {{birth date|1898|1|12|df=y}} | birth_place = Leeds, England | death_date = {{death date and age|1960|7|27|1898|1|12|df=y}} | death_place = Bristol, England | height = | position = Defender | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = | years1 = | clubs1 = Royal Navy | caps1 = | goals1 = | years2 = 1927–1934 | clubs2 = Plymouth Argyle | caps2 = 122 | goals2 = 2 | years3 = 1934–1935 | clubs3 = Cardiff City | caps3 = 8 | goals3 = 0 }}

'''William Henry Bland''' (12 January 1898 – 27 July 1960) was an English professional footballer who made 130 appearances in the Football League playing for Plymouth Argyle and Cardiff City. He played as a defender.<ref name=Joyce>{{cite book |last=Joyce |first=Michael |title=Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939 |publisher=SoccerData (Tony Brown) |location=Nottingham |year=2004 |page=28 |isbn=978-1-899468-67-6}}</ref><ref name=GoS>{{cite web |url=http://www.greensonscreen.co.uk/gosdb-players2.asp?pid=78&scp=1,2,3,4,5,6,7 |title=Harry Bland |publisher=Greens on Screen |access-date=19 August 2010}}</ref>

Bland was born in Leeds.<ref name=Joyce/> He served in the Royal Navy and signed for Plymouth Argyle after being posted to the city. He made his debut in the Football League a month short of his 30th birthday and replaced the ageing Moses Russell at right back. He made 128 appearances for the club in all competitions, the last of which came in March 1934.<ref name=GoS/> The following season played a few games for Cardiff City,<ref name=Joyce/> however the side suffered several heavy defeats in a disappointing season, and Bland was one of numerous players released in a bid to improve the club's fortunes.<ref name="hayes">{{Cite book | title = The Who's Who of Cardiff City | first = Dean | last = Hayes | publisher = Breedon Books | year = 2006 | page=25 | location=Derby | isbn= 1-85983-462-0}}</ref> Bland died in Bristol on 27 July 1960, at the age of 62.<ref>{{cite web |title=William Henry Bland |url=https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui-content/view/19588247:1904?tid=&pid=&queryId=349c6d18-c5c9-486b-81d3-93d5eaeab376&_phsrc=Dqh7872&_phstart=successSource |publisher=England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858–1995 |access-date=13 May 2024}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bland, Harry}} Category:1898 births Category:1960 deaths Category:Footballers from Leeds Category:English men's footballers Category:Men's association football full-backs Category:Plymouth Argyle F.C. players Category:Cardiff City F.C. players Category:English Football League players Category:Royal Navy sailors Category:20th-century Royal Navy personnel Category:20th-century English sportsmen