Shirley Hubbard (1885–1962) was far more than just a footballer; he was a true Leicester icon whose life story reads like a dramatic novel. From the battlefields of the Western Front to the pitches of Filbert Street, and even surviving a brutal stabbing, his resilience cemented his place in local history. He remains one of only five men to play for both Leicester Fosse and the reformed Leicester City before, during, and after the First World War, finishing his time with the club as a professional footballer who made 140 appearances in the Football League as a forward.
Born in Leicester on February 18, 1885, Hubbard grew up in a bustling household on Western Road, working as a shoe finisher by 1901. His footballing journey began with local Leicester sides like St. Andrew’s and Leicester Imperial. However, a desire for adventure led him to enlist in the Leicestershire Regiment on July 14, 1903. He was posted to India, where he served until April 1907, sharpening his skills playing army football. His talent was undeniable, catching the eye of Second Division side Leicester Fosse back home. In a bold and unusual move on April 22, 1907, the club literally bought Hubbard out of the army to sign him. It paid off handsomely. Operating primarily as a versatile forward, he quickly became a pivotal figure. Over his first six years, he made 151 appearances, scored 39 goals for the club, and helped the Foxes secure a historic promotion to the First Division at the end of the 1907–08 season. By 1911, life off the pitch had settled too; Hubbard was happily married with one child.
Hubbard eventually departed Filbert Street for North Eastern League club Darlington in May 1913, and he was playing for South Shields upon the outbreak of the First World War in 1914. Answering the call of duty, Hubbard re-enlisted in the Leicestershire Regiment in November 1914, just three months after the war began. Sent to the Western Front in February 1915, he bravely faced the true horrors of modern warfare, seeing heavy action at Hooge, the Hohenzollern Redoubt, the Somme, and during the final Hundred Days Offensive. Yet, even amidst the immense challenges of war, his enduring love for the game never wavered. While on leave, he served as a wartime guest player for several clubs, including Port Vale, Bloxwich Strollers, Birmingham, and on two occasions for Leicester Fosse, where he made 17 wartime appearances and scored 5 goals.
Following demobilisation, Hubbard briefly resumed his professional career with the newly reformed Leicester City during the 1919–20 season, proudly scoring the club’s first-ever away goal in their new era. In total, he finished his overall Foxes career with 154 appearances and 40 goals. As his playing days at the highest level wound down, he took over as the player-manager for the Leicestershire Senior League club Ashby Town, and later lent his expertise to Loughborough football. His deep loyalty to Leicester City brought him back to Filbert Street prior to the Second World War, where he served dedicated stints coaching both the reserve squad and the Colts team.
Beyond the pitch, Hubbard’s life remained highly eventful—and occasionally perilous. In 1929, a shocking incident occurred on Catesby Street in Leicester when he was brutally stabbed by his “best pal,” John Joseph Harris, during a heated altercation. Hubbard suffered a terrifying four-inch cut to his neck, alongside additional stab wounds to his back and knee. Miraculously, he made a full recovery, while his assailant escaped with a fine of just £10. After finally retiring from football, Hubbard remained a respected fixture in the local sporting community, sharing his decades of expertise through a regular column in the local Leicestershire press. Shirley Hubbard passed away at his home in Houghton on the Hill in February 1962, just four days after his 77th birthday, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy as an indomitable individual who navigated the hardships of war, personal tragedy, and the evolution of English football with an unbreakable spirit.