Born in Northampton in 1910, Cliff Ette, who lived in Lea Road in the town, played for local club Northampton Nomads and had a spell with Dunstable club Waterlows before marking his mark on the game at a higher level. 

In the summer of 1931, Cliff joined St Albans City as an inside-forward and made his City debut during a 3-2 Isthmian League win over Woking at Clarence Park on 29^th August. One week later, 5^th September, he opened his account in fine style when helping himself to five goals during a 9-1 victory at the Park over Hertford Town in the Extra Preliminary Round of the F.A. Cup. This was Cliff’s only hat-trick for the club but he went on to score 18 times in 58 games for the City and collected runners-up medals in both the A.F.A. Senior Cup and Herts Charity Cup.

His final game was a 5-1 league defeat to Wycombe Wanderers at Loakes Park on Boxing Day 1934. By this time he had already joined London club Park Royal but turned out for City at Wycombe after offering his services due to Park Royal not having a game.

During his time at St Albans, on 19^th October 1932, he signed amateur forms with Tottenham Hotspur but did not play any games for the Londoners. At this time he weighed 10st 8lb and stood at just over 5’8”.

In January 1934, Cliff signed amateur forms with West Ham United. On 6^th January he appeared in the Hammers Reserve team during a 2-1 win over Leicester City at Filbert Street. Quite bizarrely, with just that one game under his belt, he was then asked by the Hammers manager, Charlie Paynter, to play in their First Team. Paynter sent a personal letter to Cliff asking him to appear in a Division Two match at Deepdale against Preston North End, the letter read;

“Dear Cliff I am very pleased to inform you that my Directors have invited you to play with the first team at Preston on Saturday next. I sincerely trust you will accept this invitation, particularly as I have recommended this invitation. I have spoken to Mr. Jackley who has expressed his willingness to release as well as to encourage your progress. Very sorry I was not in to receive your phone call last evening. Ring me tomorrow as to what you decide, trusting it will be Yes”.

It was, indeed, an affirmative response and, in front of a crowd of 14,419, Cliff went on to score West Ham’s consolation goal during a 3-1 defeat. What makes the tale even more bizarre is that Cliff never appeared again for the Hammers at any level.

He continued to play for Park Royal, where he was captain, and represented The London League in a 3-1 win over the Paris League at the Parc de Princes Stadium. He was one of the three goal scorers for the English team. Park Royal, originally formed as Holland Athletic, were London League champions for four consecutive years from 1931 but amalgamated with Southall in 1936 after losing their ground. Cliff went on to play for Southall and captained the side to a 3-1 F.A. Cup 1^st Round ‘giant’ cup killing victory over Swindon Town in 1936.

Sadly, whilst with Southall, a serious knee injury terminated his career prematurely. He later suffered badly with arthritis; a problem that left him partially disabled. In 1989 he was awarded the Arthritis and Rheumatism Council's Running Man Trophy for his service to sport.

Born on 17^th June 1910, Cliff was a boot and shoe trimmer by trade who married Elizabeth Jones in 1939. He passed away in Northampton at the age of 85 on 26^th July 1995.