He was positional genius and a master at full back

Seven England caps and more than 280 appearances for Sunderland and South Shields combined.

This full back had it all and he hailed from South Tyneside even though he first made his name with three different clubs in Scotland.

It’s Warneford ‘Warney’ Cresswell who became a name to be reckoned with 100 years ago. Warney was born in South Shields in November 1897 and appeared for Morton, Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian in Scotland.

Warney Cresswell pictured right in an undated photo from the archives. | img

placeholder image — Warney Cresswell pictured right in an undated photo from the archives. | img

He signed for South Shields in 1919 and had three seasons at Simonside before Sunderland came calling with a world record bid of £5,000.

Warney stayed at Roker Park from 1922 to 1927 and made 182 appearances for the Black Cats. He was described as "The Prince of Full Backs" for his renowned tackling and positional skills at right back.

The North England Team at Burnley in Lancashire. L to R standing - ex Burnley goalie Jack Hillman, Liverpool player J Bamber, W Cresswell of South Shields, J W Mew and J Silcock of Manchester United, G Wilson of Sheffield Wednesday and Tom Bromilow of Liverpool. L to R sitting - Sam Chedgzoy of Everton, W J Kirton of Aston Villa, Charles Buchan (1891 - 1960) of Sunderland, H Chambers of Liverpool and T Urwin of Middlesbrough. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Warney also appeared for the North England team which played at Burnley in 1921 and he lined up alongside legends of the game such as Charlie Buchan of Sunderland.

He made 190 league and cup appearances and helped the "Black Cats" to a second-place finish in 1922-23, before moving on to Everton for £7,000 in 1927.

Warney Cresswell in action for Sunderland who signed him for a world record fee of £5,500. | img

Warneford helped the "Toffees" to win the Football League championship in 1927-28 and 1931-32, the Second Division championship in 1930-31, the FA Cup in 1933, and the FA Community Shield in 1928 and 1932.

He turned to management with Port Vale, in May 1936, and moved on to Northampton Town 12 months later. He later managed Dartford.

Sunderland legend Raich Carter once described him as ‘the greatest back of all in football between the wars’.

Warney finished his career at the top, and then still played on in South Shields and become a pub landlord. He still turned out for local sides when he was in his 60s. He died in 1973, aged 75.