Jack Balmer
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | John Balmer | ||
| Date of birth | 6 February 1916 | ||
| Place of birth | West Derby, England | ||
| Date of death | 25 December 1984 (aged 68) | ||
| Place of death | Liverpool, England | ||
| Playing position | Striker | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1935–1952 | Liverpool | 289 | (98) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. |
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Jack Balmer (6 February 1916 – 25 December 1984) was a footballer who played Centre Forward, for Liverpool.
Born in West Derby, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, Balmer played for Collegiate Old Boys and Everton, where he was an amateur, before he was signed by Liverpool manager George Patterson who gave him his first professional contract on 23 August 1935, the 19-year-old made his debut on 21 September 1935 at Elland Road against Leeds in a 1st Division match, however, it wasn't a day to remember as the Reds lost 1-0, his first goal came on 7 December the same year in a league game at Anfield, the 81st-minute strike turned out to be the winner in a 2-1 victory over Preston.
Balmer came from a family of footballers, Uncles Walter and Bob both played for Everton during the early part of the 20th century whilst Uncle Jack was an amateur at Goodison Park.
After the short journey across Stanley Park, Jack flitted in and out of the starting line-up during his first season at the club, fighting for the number 9 shirt with Fred Howe. Still learning his trade Balmer would gain great experience playing in an inside forward position as well as his more accustomed centre-forward role.
The Second World War curtailed Balmer's footballing career, as it did so many others, but in doing so it probably took away Jack's best years. Upon resumption of the a national league competition Balmer formed an impressive partnership with Albert Stubbins, they both finished the first post war season (1946-47, with 24 goals, helping to guide the Reds to the League title 24 years after their last.
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