Joe Fidler

Joseph Edward Fidler was an English professional football left back who played in the Football League for Woolwich Arsenal and Sheffield United.

Playing career

Fidler joined Sheffield United from South Street New Connexion, and played one First Division game in both the 1903–04 and 1904–05 seasons. He moved on to Fulham and then Queens Park Rangers, spending six years at QPR. He joined Woolwich Arsenal in February 1913. He played 13 games as the club was relegated out of the First Division and into the Second Division at the end of the 1912–13 campaign. With Jack Peart out injured, he was partnered with Joe Shaw at full-back for the last 13 games of the 1912–13 season and first ten matches of the 1913–14 campaign, before he was dropped for England international Bob Benson. He joined Port Vale of the Central League in summer 1914, but was unable to establish himself in the first-team at the Old Recreation Ground.

Military service

In January 1915, he enlisted in the 17th (Service) Battalion of the Duke of Cambridge's Own to fight in World War I. Due to the number of footballers who were placed there it was nicknamed the Football Battalion.