Born: 28 October 1873

Born in: Preston

Died: 6 November 1909

Other clubs: Fishwick Ramblers (1889-91), Preston North End (1891-95), Sheffield United (1898-99), Bedminster (1899-1900), Preston North End (2 / 1900-01), Swindon Town (1901-03), Nelson (1903), Ashton Town (1903-04), Oldham Athletic (1904)

Signed from: Preston North End

Joined Liverpool: £200, 18 March 1895

Debut: 25 Mar 1895

Final appearance: 16 Apr 1898

Debut goal: 25 Mar 1895

Last goal: 16 Apr 1898

Contract until: 7 October 1898

Honours: Second Division 1895/96

League: Apps / Goals: 70 / 38

All Competitions: Apps / Goals: 86 / 42

Player Profile

Becton joined the famous Preston North End team that had won the title in the first two seasons of the Football League, earning the nickname "The Invincibles". Becton joined Preston in 1891, but never won the League with the Deepdale club, which finished runners-up three seasons running from 1891-1893 before sliding down the League ladder. His best season was 1892/93 when he was top-scorer at the club with 25 goals in the League and cup. Incidentally Becton scored when second division Liverpool famously knocked Preston out of the FA Cup on 10 February 1894. Becton netted twice on his international debut in a 9-0 win over Ireland on 9 March 1895 but then shocked his employers by demanding a hefty pay rise. He claimed Aston Villa, Manchester City and Bolton Wanderers were interested in his services. Preston sold him for quite a substantial sum of £100 to Liverpool. He scored four goals from only five appearances by the end of that season but could not prevent Liverpool's relegation. However, Becton, George Allan and Jimmy Ross scored a total of 66 goals as Liverpool bounced straight back into the top-flight. 

On Liverpool's return to the top division Becton got into serious trouble with Liverpool's management when he failed to turn up for training in October 1896. He was instantly relegated to the reserves, having played regularly up to that point, and matters went as far as Liverpool wanting to sell him for his insubordination. A possible move to Aston Villa fell through and in the end the player and club settled their differences and Becton returned to the first team in December.

Becton played two years with Liverpool in the First Division before finally moving to League Champions Sheffield United in 1898. The champions were struggling in the League but won the FA Cup before finishing second in the League the following season. Becton moved back to Preston in the 1900/01 season but the glory days were all gone at Deepdale and as his local club was relegated he joined Swindon Town in the Southern league. He was instrumental in keeping Swindon in division one as he scored two goals in the test match at the end of his first season. He stayed another year and scored a total of 15 goals in 60 games. After retiring from playing Frank worked in a mill but died of tuberculosis on 6th November 1909 aged just 36. 

Frank's brothers, Martin and Tom, were both professional footballers and played for Preston North End as well.