Born: 11 April 1895

Born in: Peasley Cross, St Helens

Died: 19 August 1971

Other clubs: St Helens Recreation, Heywood, St Helens Town, Alexandra Victoria, Leicester City (1924-27), Tranmere Rovers (1927-30), Prescot Cables (1930-32)

Signed from: Alexandra Victoria

Joined Liverpool: 04.12.1915

Debut: 13 Sep 1919

Final appearance: 15 Dec 1923

Debut goal: 14 Feb 1920

Last goal: 11 Sep 1920

Contract until: 08.02.1924

Wartime: Apps / Goals: 118 / 8

League: Apps / Goals: 71 / 2

All Competitions: Apps / Goals: 79 / 2

Player Profile

Bamber started out his career as a right-winger but developed into a right-half of good repute. He joined Liverpool during World War I and did not cost the club a penny. He made 23 appearances in 1919/20 as competitive League football in England resumed after a four-year absence. Bamber was so described in March 1920 in the club programme: "Since coming to Anfield his consistency has been remarkable. Never really brilliant, but always very effective, Bamber is the type of player who is bound to make a name for himself; he discards all idea of ornamentality for efficiency, and seldom is it that the keenest critic can find fault with his work in the field." Thirty League matches followed the next season as he established himself in the side and was even chosen to represent England against Wales in March 1921. After playing the first four League matches of the 1921/22 season Bamber was stricken down with appendicitis. His illness paved the way for Jock McNab to cement his place in the team. Bamber missed out on medals as Liverpool won the Championship twice in 1922 and 1923.

In February 1924 Bamber joined Leicester who won the Second Division. He played for the Foxes in two seasons in the First Division before returning to Merseyside in 1927 to play for Tranmere. In April 1921 the Derby Daily Telegraph praised Bamber for being "a powerful defender, a sixth forward, a breaker-up and forager rolled into one. Has a wonderful stock of energy, delights in loading upon his forwards the choicest of delicate ground passes, and is an artist."