Life and career
Atkin was born in Skegness, Lincolnshire.[1] He played football for his local club before joining Football League Second Division club Lincoln City. He made his first-team debut on the last day of the 1912–13 Football League season, and played twice more before league football was interrupted by the First World War. He scored only twice in the Football League, both goals coming in the first season after the resumption. He scored the second goal of Lincoln's 3–1 win at Stoke, in what the Daily Express called "one of the biggest surprises of the season";[5] Lincoln went on to finish 21st in the 22-team division, and failed to gain re-election to the League. Atkin played 36 matches, scoring once, as Lincoln won the Midland League title in 1921 and were elected to the newly formed Football League Third Division North. He finished his Football League career with Lincoln in 1924,[1] and then returned to the Midland League with Boston Town.
Atkin was married to Grace and had children Joyce and Maurice.[8] He died in 1952 at the age of 59.[1]
References
1. ^1 2 3 4 5 {{cite web |url=http://www.redimps.com/archive3/index.mv?cat=players&drop=playerdetsdrop&play=atki02 |title=Arthur Atkin |work=The Lincoln City FC Archive |publisher=Lincoln City F.C |accessdate=12 February 2013}} The site omits 1920–21 Midland League appearances from the player's overall total appearances. Appearances per season are sourced via the Season Stats dropdown menu at the bottom right of this page. The site is partly subscription-based, but only free-access sections are used for reference. If pop-up login dialogue boxes appear, press the "Cancel" button to proceed.
2. ^1 {{cite news |url=http://www.skegnessstandard.co.uk/community/obituaries/10-10-07-joyce-smith-1-1334925 |title=Obituaries: 10/10/07 – Joyce Smith |work=Skegness Standard |date=11 October 2007 |accessdate=12 February 2013}}
3. ^1 {{cite news |title=Lincoln's best show |work=Daily Express |date=9 February 1920 |page=8}}