John “Jackie” Stamps (31 October 1918 – 23 April 1991) was an English professional footballer who played as a centre‑forward. He is best known for his tenure with Derby County, during which he scored two goals in the club’s 4–1 victory over Charlton Athletic in the 1946 FA Cup Final.
Early life and background
Stamps was born in Derby, England. Details of his early education and youth football activities are not extensively documented.
Club career
| Years | Club | League appearances* | Goals* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1939–1948 | Derby County | 115 (official) | 62 |
| 1948–1952 | Notts County | 107 | 45 |
| 1952–1954 | Coventry City | 55 | 22 |
| 1954–1955 | Peterborough United (Southern League) | 31 | 12 |
*Appearances and goals refer to official league matches; wartime regional competitions are excluded.
Stamps began his senior career with Derby County shortly before the outbreak of World II. During the war he served in the British Army and also made guest appearances for several clubs in regional wartime leagues, a common practice at the time. After the war, he returned to Derby and became a regular starter. His two goals in the 1946 FA Cup Final secured Derby County’s first post‑war trophy.
In 1948, Stamps transferred to Notts County, where he continued to be a prolific scorer. He later played for Coventry City and finished his playing career with Peterborough United in the Southern League before retiring from professional football in 1955.
International career
Stamps never earned a full cap for the England senior national team.
Later life and legacy
Following retirement, Stamps remained in the Derby area and was involved in local football coaching and community activities. He died on 23 April 1991 at the age of 72.
Stamps is remembered primarily for his contribution to Derby County’s 1946 FA Cup triumph, a match that marked the resumption of major English football competitions after the Second World War. His goal‑scoring record places him among the notable forwards of the immediate post‑war period.
