A typically English centre-forward, Bedford Jezzard was a powerful header of the ball who could also score with both feet. Most of his goals for Fulham came in the Second Division where he formed a brilliant triumvirate with inside-forwards Bobby Robson and Johnny Haynes.
Fulham Manager Jack Peart signed Jezzard as an amateur from Watford, and he promptly helped Fulham to promotion to the First Division for the first time in 1948/49.
‘Beddy’ scored 38 goals in 1953/54, setting a new post-War record. He notched four goals on two occasions – against Derby County in October 1953 and Barnsley in August 1955 – but his best performance came against Hull City in October 1955 when he scored five times. He also beat Jim Hammond’s aggregate record of 142 league goals in this game.
Honours came his way in the shape of two England caps, the first in a 7-1 defeat against Hungary and then a 3-0 victory over Northern Ireland in October 1955. He also represented the Football League.
Jezzard's playing career came to a premature end when he broke his leg on a tour to South Africa with the Football Association in the summer of 1956, but he stayed on at the Cottage and managed the Club with much success.
