Playing Career
Bach was born in Ludlow, Shropshire, but moved to Middlesbrough as a child. He was signed by the local club, Middlesbrough, then an amateur club, straight from school. In 1895, he moved to Reading and spent two seasons with the club playing in the Southern League, before returning to the north east to join Sunderland in June 1897.
He made his Sunderland debut in a 1–0 victory at Sheffield Wednesday on 4 September 1897. In his first season at the Newcastle Road club, Sunderland finished as runners-up in the Football League with Bach making twenty appearances. On 18 February 1899, Bach made his only international appearance against Ireland. The match was played at Roker Park, Sunderland's new ground and ended in a 13–2 victory for England, with four goals from Gilbert Smith and three from Jimmy Settle. The scoreline in this match is the record number of goals scored by England in a single match, and also the highest aggregate goals (15) in a game involving England.
While England were playing at Roker Park, Sunderland were away to Sheffield Wednesday. In Bach's absence on international duty, Andy McCombie took over at right-back in a 1–0 victory. Bach was unable to regain his place, making only two further appearances.
Two months later, in April 1899, he signed for Middlesbrough again, but failing to break into the first team he was on the move again a year later joining Bristol City. Bach made his debut for Bristol City in the Southern League at right back in a 1-0 win at Swindon Town on 1 September 1900. Bach made 29 appearances in the Southern League, 10 appearances in the Western League and 3 appearances in FA Cup ties during 1900-01 as Bristol City finished runners up in the Southern League. Bristol City gained Football League status for 1901-02 but in the summer of 1901 manager Sam Hollis signed Billy Tuft from Walsall who established himself as the regular right back for the next four seasons. Bach spent four years at Ashton Gate after helping City gain Football League status in 1901 making only 3 League appearances in 1903-04. Bach made his football league debut for Bristol City at right back in the 5-0 win v Glossop on 12 September 1903. In 1904 he was re-instated as an amateur, turning out for Cheltenham Town.
Read more about this topic: Philip Bach
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