Fred Harmsworth grew up on that stretch of the Hampshire/Surrey border where the teams of the moment – certainly as far as interest from Southampton FC was concerned – were based in Camberley and Farnborough. Although described as a “trier”, Fred did not get beyond a solitary trial match at The Dell. But he broke into League football with Second Division Grimsby, after an unsuccessful trial with First Division Newcastle. He made four appearances for the Mariners, but soon returned to his roots, now with South Farnborough, for a lengthy stretch, before finishing his career at Thornycroft Athletic. In 1939 his occupation was given as ‘boatbuilder’.