Jack Lindsay had the misfortune of joining Everton in March 1951, just weeks before they suffered the ignominy of relegation to the Second Division. In April 1954, as the club stood on the cusp of promotion back to the top flight following a campaign in which Lindsay had played an important role, he suffered an horrific leg break in a home draw with Stoke City. He never played for Everton again and thus ended one of the unluckiest careers the club has known.
The left back was a £9,500 signing from Glasgow Rangers amidst one of the most catastrophic periods in Everton history. Everton were seventeenth at the time of his arrival but a run of just one win in their least eleven games left them rock bottom. Lindsay took place in the final day nadir, a 6-0 hammering at Sheffield Wednesday – who were also relegated – that secured them last place.
Lindsay was, like many full backs of the era, a hard, muscular player; a defender first and foremost, but not averse to hoisting in the odd delivery for the formidable temples of Dave Hickson. In the 1953/54 season he was elected penalty taker and kept his nerve to score a couple of goals.
But then came the injury and everything changed. His break was so horrific as to keep him in hospital for a month and out of the Everton first XI for ever. In May 1956 he was sold to Bury with John Willie Parker in a joint deal worth £3,500.