A new series in which Millwall fan and journalist Neil Fissler discusses two early Millwall Athletic pioneers - Jack Cock and Wally Davis - with yours truly ...

SHOW NOTES

Jack Cock MM (and mentioned in dispatches)

1893-1966 - born Hayle, Cornwall (north coast - near Penzance)

115apps 77 goals 1927-30

Held Millwall’s top scorer record with 77 goals until 1973 (overtaken by Derek Possee)

Signed from Plymouth - previously with Huddersfield & Chelsea

Third Division South championship winner 1927-28 scoring 25 goals

Millwall manager 1944-48

Manager of the 1945 War Cup final side

Relegation 1948 - led to Cock retiring to run the White Hart at New Cross Gate

Currently fifth in the Lions all time scorers list behind: Neil Harris, Teddy Sheringham, Steve Morison, Derek Possee and then Jack Cock.

Signed for the Lions late in his career aged 34

Played prior to WW1 for Brentford and Huddersfield

Decorated for ‘’Bravery in the Field" and Mentioned in Despatches for "gallantry". 

He was reported as 'missing, presumed dead' at one point during the war

One of the top goal scorers in the Football League - Brentford, Chelsea, Everton, Plymouth then Millwall .

Twice capped for England 1919-20 v Ireland and Scotland. He made his England debut against Ireland in 1919, and opened the scoring after 30 seconds, which is currently the third-fastest timed England goal of all time. 

Owing to his good looks and a tenor voice, Cock appeared on the music hall stage numerous times (during his playing days, he was known for singing before entering the pitch). He also starred in several films, including "The Winning Goal" (1920) and "The Great Game" (1930).

Wally Davis

 - 1888-1937

Born - Mold

Walter Otto Davis - his second name came from a German soldier who was a friend of his father.

Family moved to London as a child

His father served as Mayor of West Ham 1920-21

His brother died playing football - parents forbade him playing.

But he took it up in the pre WW1 army - serving in Gibraltar 

Played for Metrogas non league 1911 on leaving

Turned pro for  Millwall 1911-20 - 113 apps 65 goals

Welsh international - 5 caps 1 goal

Davis was a deadly finisher, with exceptional speed and ball control and in the 1912–13 season, he emerged as a "goalscoring sensation" and soon attracted "fabulous offers" from Football League clubs.

1914 FACup v Bradford City - The goal he scored against Bradford was considered by many to be the best ever scored at The Den and was described by the national papers as a "wonder goal"; he received the ball from a throw-in around the half-way line, sidestepped his marker, beat both full-backs and then slipped the ball past the keeper into the net.

During WW1 Davis served in Italy with the Bedfordshire Regiment where he incurred injuries to his legs. 

During the war he occasionally turned out for Millwall, including in a match against Clapton Orient in which he scored a hat-trick wearing army boots.

Davis was forced to retire from football early in 1919 as a result of an injury to his knee and took up employment as a groundsman with Chelmsford before working as a labourer in the London docks.

He was found drowned in Bow Creek on 20 May 1937 in mysterious circumstances as he was a strong swimmer.

The coroner’s jury recorded an open verdict.

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