Coventry City all time leading scorer
CCFC Hall of Fame

Harry Storer was a great judge of talent, but it is highly unlikely that even he realised what effect Bourton - his first buy for City as manager in April 1931 - would have in the following years. It was something of a coup that centre-forward Bourton even signed for Coventry, as in his first 66 first team outings for Blackburn Rovers, then well established in the top ten of Division 1, he had scored 47 goals.

In his first season, Bourton established the record for the most goals scored for City in a season, including a magnificent run of 11 in consecutive games, a feat which has not been equalled since. In that first season, he also scored 7 hat-tricks, including a treble in the 8-0 crushing of high-flying Crystal Palace. Supported by Jock Lauderdale and Billy Lake, City raced to 108 goals that season and the chant of "the old five" became established at Highfield Road.

Throughout the period of Division 3 (South) football, Bourton was a prolific goalscorer, indeed he was the highest scorer in the Division in the 1931-32 and 1932-33 seasons, scoring a total of 43 in the latter. It was fitting that he should score the final goal in Division 3 (South), with the winner in the 2-1 victory over Torquay illustrating Bourton's ability to poach goals. He was there for a tap-in despite typically heavy marking, which was a burden he had to face during his spell at City. In Division 2, Bourton fared less well, and with the tighter and more efficient defences at the higher level, he scored only 9 goals in 41 games.

After a short spell at Plymouth he moved back to Bristol City.' His six and a half years there were mostly as player-manager, before his retirement in 1944. He will be remembered as the man who shattered City's goalscoring records, amassing 164 League goals, 9 FA Cup goals and 7 Division 3 (South) Cup goals in a total of 250 games; he scored 15 hat-tricks for City, and perhaps it was a pity for both Burton and City that he did not play Division 2 football until the age of 28.

Penalties (6 - all scored)
1931-32
7 November 1931 v Torquay United A, Division Three (South), scored (keeperJoe Wright)
12 December 1931 v Mansfield Town H, Division Three (South), scored (keeperJimmy Wilson)
12 December 1931 v Mansfield Town H, Division Three (South), scored (keeperJimmy Wilson)
1932-33
8 September 1932 v Brentford A, Division Three (South), scored (keeper Billy Baker)
27 December 1932 v Bristol City H, Division Three (South), scored (keeper Tommy Pickett)
15 April 1933 v Reading H, Division Three (South), scored (keeper Dick Mellors)

Hat tricks (15)
1931-32
17 October 1931 v Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic H, Division Three (South) 5 goals
14 November 1931 v Clapton Orient H, Division Three (South)
12 December 1931 v Mansfield Town H, Division Three (South), 4 goals
25 December 1931 v Reading H, Division Three (South)
6 February 1932 v Crystal Palace H, Division Three (South)
23 April 1932 v Mansfield Town A, Division Three (South)
30 April 1932 v Watford H, Division Three (South)
1932-33
22 October 1932 v Queens Park Rangers A, Division Three (South)
27 December 1932 v Bristol City H, Division Three (South)
1933-34
23 September 1933 v Swindon Town H, Division Three (South)
18 November 1933 v Torquay United A, Division Three (South)
28 April 1934 v Bristol City H, Division Three (South) 4 goals
1934-35
7 February 1935 v Crystal Palace H, Division Three (South) Cup 3rd Round
1935-36
7 September 1935 v Newport County H, Division Three (South)
9 November 1935 v Crystal Palace H, Division Three (South)