Description
Wilford, Nottinghamshire born goalkeeper Albert Iremonger was widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of his time and is a local legend in his home county of Nottinghamshire. It is also believed Iremonger was the tallest player in the League at the time, measuring 6 ft 5in. Iremonger signed for First Division Notts County from local minnows Notts Jardines, making his debut against Sheffield Wednesday on 1st April 1905. In total he made 601 appearances for the club, at one stage making 211 consecutive appearances and he holds the club record for this. His 564 League appearances for Notts County is still the club’s record. Spending 21 years with the club, he played for Notts County over 18 seasons before leaving the club to join Lincoln City in 1926. His exceptional performances for the club earned him a Football League representative cap when he played in a 4-0 win over The Irish League in October 1911.
Although Notts County were relegated in 1913 they won the Second Division Championship at first time of asking as Iremonger remained ever present in 1913-14. They were again relegated in 1920 and Iremonger played 19 times (his least number of League appearances in any season) as they won the Second Division Championship in 1923 to return to the top flight. He was part of their 1922 FA Cup semi final team that lost to eventual winners Huddersfield Town at Turf Moor, his closest run at FA Cup glory. As a testament to his character and legendary status within the community, a road behind the club grounds was named for him. It is still said amongst Notts County fans that he had “hands like the claws of a JCB”. He signed for Lincoln City aged 42, becoming their oldest ever player. Although he was a short-term signing, he made 39 appearances for the club from 1926 to 1927.
Iremonger played county cricket for Nottinghamshire, his 14 match county career spanning between 1906 and 1910. He batted and bowled right-handed. With a high score of 60 not out, his only half century, he scored 261 runs at an average of 16.31, and took 10 wickets at 29.60 a piece, with a best performance of 5-83.
He was the younger brother of Jimmy Iremonger and older brother of Harry Iremonger, both of whom played for Nottingham Forest. Jimmy Iremonger played football for England and was a notable cricketer for Nottinghamshire.
NB This photograph was taken on 7th February 1920 v Bradford Park Avenue at Meadow Lane, Notts lost the match 2-0. Jack Foster joined Luton Town at the end of the 1919-20 season, which confirms that the 1920-21 label at the bottom of the image is incorrect. The three players including Iremonger (who didn’t play in the match) standing “behind” were not part of the line up and have been “doctored” into the image.