Robert Hawkes
FullnameRobert Murray Hawkes
Birth date18 October 1880
Birth placeBreachwood Green, England
Death date12 September 1945 (aged 64)
Death placeLuton, England
PositionWinger
Youthyears 11900–1901
Youthclubs 1Luton Town
Years 11901–1920
Clubs 1Luton Town
Caps 1349
Goals 140
Nationalyears 11907–1908
Nationalteam 1England
Nationalcaps 15
Nationalgoals 10
Nationalyears 21908
Nationalteam 2England (amateur)
Nationalcaps 23
Nationalgoals 22
Medaltemplates-expandyes

Robert Murray Hawkes (18 October 1880 – 12 September 1945) was an English footballer who played for Luton Town, became their first international player, and competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.[1]

Playing career

Hawkes joined his local team Luton Town as an amateur in 1900, while working in the hat trade, which was prominent in the town. Such was his quality that he was a member of the English team that won the gold medal in the football tournament at the 1908 London Olympics. Meanwhile, he had become the captain of Luton Town.[2]

He also made five appearances for the full England team, making his debut against Ireland on 16 February 1907. In 1908 he was a member of the England squad who toured Europe for the first time, making four appearances in the space of seven days against Austria (twice), Hungary and Bohemia; all four matches resulted in comfortable victories for England.

He was courted numerous times by clubs from the Football League, but always remained loyal to his roots at Luton, turning professional in 1911. He stayed with Luton until his retirement as a 39-year-old in 1920, when Luton rejoined the League themselves.

References

  1. ^ "Robert Hawkes". Olympedia. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  2. ^ Collings, Timothy (1985). The Luton Town Story 1885–1985. Luton Town F.C. pp. 17–19. ISBN 0-951067-90-7.