Jack Bollington’s professional career came to a most unfortunate and abrupt end when, in January 1921, his leg was broken in an F.A. Cup tie against Cardiff City. The sound of the fracture was said to have reverberated around the Goldstone to such an extent that several people in the large crowd fainted.
As a junior Jack had played for Sunderland, and also turned out for non-League Walsall before joining Southern League side Southend United in 1919. Playing at right-half for the ‘Shrimpers’ in a Third Division match against the Albion in September 1920, he so impressed Charlie Webb that the Brighton manager obtained his signature the following day and played him against Merthyr Town 24 hours later. Jack’s terrible accident came in just his sixteenth appearance for the club, and Albion and Cardiff played a testimonial match for his benefit in November 1921. On retiring he spent some time coaching in Holland with Haarlem F.C.
Jack played 16 matches for the Seagulls in 1920-21.