Harry Erentz

Henry “Harry” Erentz, and his brother Fred, were both enthusiastic footballers. Harry played for East End, and Fred for Our Boys in the early 1890’s. As well as football they were involved locally in athletics. Their Danish father, Christian, a Ship Broker, was involved in the sport both as a competitor and administrator. Christian came from Helsingør where football had been pioneered by, among other ‘Scotch Professors’, James Young Smart of Dundee Strathmore (and future Dundee FC Committee member). It seems fitting, therefore, that  the family would settle in the city. 

Harry went on to join Dundee F.C., whilst his brother headed down south to Newton Heath.

He  left Dundee, with the “best wishes of his club mates”, to join the newly formed Oldham County in September 1895, he had represented the club in the “A” team, and played in the Forfarshire Cup, and friendlies, but only had a couple of first team appearances. 

A year later he joined his brother, Fred, at Newton Heath (later to become Manchester United.) He only made six appearances for the club.

In 1898 Tottenham Hotspur were signing lots of players on big wages. Harry joined for £30 and was earning £3 15s a week.  Nicknamed “Tiger”, he was fearless, and renowned for his daring tackling skills. He was in the F.A. cup winning team of 1901, when they beat Sheffield United. 

After six seasons with Spurs, which earned him  a benefit  match against Swindon, Harry headed  home to  Dundee. He wasn’t back for long, signing for Swindon in November 1904. A bad leg break, which kept him hospitalised for several months, heralded the end of his playing career. In 1905 he was appointed manager/trainer of Swindon.

After moving back to Dundee he became a publican with premises at South Road and Barrack Street.

Harry is buried in the Eastern Cemetery, Dundee.