Jack Copitch


Real Name: Israel Copitch
Born: 18/04/1902 (High Cheetham, Manchester)
Died: 08/06/1962 (Withington, Manchester)

Heritage Number: 505
Debut Match*: 25/12/1925 v Doncaster Rovers (Football League)
Last Match*: 26/12/1925 v Doncaster Rovers (Football League)
* Qualifying Games


Born Israel Copitch, his family were originally called Copatz and came from Lithuania. He was always known as ‘Jack’ and surprisingly displaced Billy Halsall after only a handful of reserve team appearances, when joining the club from Manchester junior football. The Southport Guardian said of him, ‘He has a splendid power of anticipation, handles the ball cleanly and kicks strongly’. The experiment was not a success; Doncaster scored 9 goals in the two Christmas games and Halsall was quickly recalled. Jack is numbered among comparatively few Jewish players to have attained Football League status. His brother William (‘Wolfie’) played for Tranmere Rovers, Stockport County and New Brighton. They were almost certainly the only pair of Jewish brothers to appear in League football. He was a shopping bag manufacturer for many years and died of cancer aged 60.

Southport Playing Stats

First Team

Heritage Qualifying League Only Cup Only Other Only All
Season Qualifying Starts Qualifying Subs Qualifying Appearances Qualifying Goals League Starts League Subs Total League Appearances League Goals Cup Starts Cup Subs Total CupAppearances Cup Goals Other Starts Other Subs Total Other Appearances Other Goals Total Starts Total Subs Total Appearances Total Goals
1925/19262(0)202(0)200(0)000(0)002(0)20
Total2(0)202(0)200(0)000(0)002(0)20