The first of two Hamlet players to win full international honours was goalkeeper Bert Coleman. Formally Ernest Herbert Coleman, he was born on October 19th 1889.

The family relocated from Hove to London between the 1901 and 1911 censuses. In the latter census they lived at 14 Manchuria Road, Battersea. Bert was still in residence there in 1921, presumably leaving after his marriage in 1923.

Hamlet signed Bert from Croydon Amateurs in 1912. He remained with Hamlet until his retirement in 1925, though he was absent on active duty for part of World War One. Bert spent two years as club captain, from 1921. Bert won four England Amateur caps, and one full cap. England had been struggling with the goalkeeper position for a while and called Bert up to play against Wales, in Cardiff, in the 1921 British Championship. Despite keeping a clean sheet, in a 0-0 draw, he wasn’t selected again.

An accountant by profession Bert served the club for many years off the field, acting as a Selector (for many years the club had a Selection Committee not a manager) and rising to become Honorary Assistant Treasurer. He retired from this role in 1956, due to failing health. His retirement saw him created a Honorary Life Member, in recognition of services rendered. Bert died in June 1958.

His brother Vic also rendered Hamlet valuable service as a goalkeeper, though he was rarely able to displace his brother from the first XI. During Bert’s absence in World War One England schoolboy international George Hudson usually kept goal for Hamlet. George lost his place when Bert returned and moved to Nunhead, where he enjoyed a very successful career.

Honours: England Full Cap (1), Amateur Caps (4). Selected for 1920 Olympics but unable to play. Amateurs v Professionals (2) 1923-24 & 1924-25. Played for FA XI. FA  Amateur Cup winners medal 1919-20.

Entered 2024/25

Image by kind permission of Jack McInroy

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