John Henry Hill (2 March 1897 – April 1972) was an English footballer who played for various teams including Burnley and Newcastle United between 1920 and 1934.
He remained for three seasons at Home Park, in the last two of which Argyle finished as runners-up in the (now) Third Division South missing out on the single promotion place available firstly to Southampton on goal difference and then to Bristol City.
[5] After representing the Football League on three occasions, he received his first England call up for a British Home Championship match in Wales on 28 February 1925.
In the first match, against Belgium, England ran up 9 goals including a hat trick from Dixie Dean and a pair each from George Brown and Arthur Rigby.
[9] Hill retained his place for the opening match of the 1928 British Home Championship against Ireland at Windsor Park, Belfast on 22 October 1927.
Dan Tremelling replaced Hufton in goal for his solitary England appearance, whilst defenders Alf Baker (Arsenal) and Reg Osborne (Leicester City) were given their first (and only) chances at international level.
As local rivals Sunderland were also keen to sign Hill, Newcastle needed to pay a record transfer fee of £8,100 to secure his services.
[2] Described as being "tall and lanky" (he was 6'3"), Hill soon became Newcastle's captain and "with his willingness to move forward from defence and his quality of distribution", he was also a great favourite with the fans.
[14] Unfortunately, after only a couple of seasons at St James' Park, Jack fell into dispute with Newcastle's directors, which led to his premature departure, leaving for Bradford City in June 1931 for a fee of £7,500.
Things did not turn out so well in the following season, and in January 1936, Hill was dismissed, to be replaced by David Menzies who was unable to prevent Hull being relegated with only 20 points.