Franklin Twist
Franklin Twist was an English former footballer, who played as a winger in the Football League for Bury and Tranmere Rovers.
He died in December 2024 due to an intracranial hemorrhage.
Early life
Twist was educated at Roscoe Secondary Modern School.Career
Youth
Twist began his career as a junior with Liverpool. After playing "several outstanding games" for his school which brought him prominence in the 1955 season, he made his debut for the Liverpool senior youth team in the sixth round of the English trophy. Liverpool played Swansea F.C. at Anfield, in what was considered among the most difficult debuts for a youth player, as Swansea had a record five international players. He helped his side go on to win the game 7-0 and kept his place in the team, ultimately winning a medal when Liverpool beat Brighton in the final 7-2. He was praised for his quick speed and ball control.Senior
Following his release from Liverpool, he signed for Prescot Cables while training as an electrician. While at the club, he was described as being a crowd favourite and his performances attracted interest from scouts representing Bury and Oldham. He joined Bury in October 1961 for a fee described as being "fairly substantial", making his debut against Walsall.In 1963, he signed for Halifax Town, becoming one of four former Liverpool players then playing for the club. In July 1965, Twist joined Tranmere Rovers, where he made 7 league appearances, scoring 1 goal, along with an appearance in the League Cup.
During a spell with New Brighton, Twist was placed on the open-to-transfer list following the club's financial difficulties and agreed to accept a temporary reduction in wages to help the club. He later joined Altrincham in 1967 and made his debut against Chester City, going on to make 60 appearances for the club, scoring 5 goals. During his time at Altrincham, the club won the Northwest Floodlit League and the Cheshire County League, the Cheshire Senior Cup. Twist left the club at the end of the season, rounding off his career with a return spell at New Brighton and later Radcliffe Borough.