| Bth | 27/03/20 | Scarborough | |
| P/H | Goalkeeper | 5ft 10.5in | 10st 2-5lb |
| Jnd | 16/01/39 | Billingham | £100 |
| Ret | 06/51 | Injured | |
| A/G | 53 | ||
| War | 1 |
Scarborough born Garbutt was only eighteen when he joined United from Billingham for £100. Unfortunately within months of his arrival Hitler had invaded Poland and the Football League came to a halt.
His signature, as a professional, was obtained in the face of keen competition. Stoke, Bolton and Celtic were three of the five clubs who wanted him and he had already turned down a trial with Grimsby. He was on Hartlepool’s books as an amateur, but the Magpies were able to secure his release.
Eric served in the RAF during the war although he did find time to play once for Newcastle in the wartime Northern League. He kept goal for the first match of the 1945/46 season; a 6-0 victory over Sheffield United.
When the League resumed in 1946/47 Garbutt was regarded as first choice and made his official debut in the away match at Millwall on the opening day of the season.
The signing of Jack Fairbrother at the start of the 194748 season for a record fee for a goalkeeper provided Garbutt with first-class competition for the goalkeeper’s jersey. And for the next three seasons both men were in superb form.
Eric was unlucky to suffer a number of injuries, most notably a broken hand in 1948 and a broken leg in 1950 which ultimately ended his career. And Charlie Crowe (Crowe amongst the Magpies) said that Eric could possibly have been even better than Jack Fairbrother and Ronnie Simpson if it had not been for those injuries.“He had a mixture of Ronnie Simpson's flair and Jack Fairbrother's goal-line reflexes. Eric was always in charge coming out for high balls and crosses. He commanded respect, and was a likeable, quiet person.”
This was supported by manager George Martin’s comments in 1947/48 when Fairbrother was being kept in the reserves. “He just cannot be dropped from the team, his recent showings have been close to perfection”.
He requested a transfer a couple of times whilst he was playing in the Reserves, but he ended up staying on Tyneside.
Eric fractured his right leg in September 1950 for which he received months of intensive treatment including electrical treatment on a daily basis. He had to walk around with irons on his leg and a huge leather kneecap. It was intimated in February 1951 that he was making good progress, but in June, he was told that his career was over.
Made his “official” debut in the first game but ended up playing in less than half the games due to injury problems.
The signing of Jack Fairbrother saw Garbutt lose his place at the beginning of the 1947/48 promotion season, but he returned to the side when the ex-Preston man was injured. Unfortunately he then suffered a shoulder injury and when he recovered and found himself back in the reserves, he requested a transfer. But a couple of weeks later he was recalled after Fairbrother was dropped. Once again he earned high praise for some grand displays before he injured his hand.
Despite his great form in the promotion season Eric was only called up once and (understandably) disappointed with his lack of action he requested a transfer in January, but the Board rejected it.
Eric once more got a decent run in the side when Fairbrother was injured and his form was so impressive that he again retained his place even when Jack regained fitness. Fairbrother was eventually recalled at the end of December and a couple of weeks later Garbutt suffered a knee injury in a central-league game Aston Villa.
Painting by Piotr Jozefowicz - if you would like a copy of this painting or a copy of the painting of any other player, past or present, please contact Piotr directly at: 008bond@wp.pl