Joseph Edward Fidler (1885–1948) was an English professional football left back who played in the Football League for Woolwich Arsenal and Sheffield United.
Playing career Fidler joined Sheffield United from South Street New Connexion, and played one First Division game in both the 1903–04 and 1904–05 seasons. He moved on to Fulham and then Queens Park Rangers, spending six years at QPR. He joined Woolwich Arsenal in February 1913. He played 13 games as the club was relegated out of the First Division and into the Second Division at the end of the 1912–13 campaign. With Jack Peart out injured, he was partnered with Joe Shaw at full-back for the last 13 games of the 1912–13 season and first ten matches of the 1913–14 campaign, before he was dropped for England international Bob Benson. He joined Port Vale of the Central League in summer 1914, but was unable to establish himself in the first-team at the Old Recreation Ground.
Military service In January 1915, he enlisted in the 17th (Service) Battalion of the Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment) to fight in World War I. Due to the number of footballers who were placed there it was nicknamed the Football Battalion.
Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsSheffield United1903–04First Division1000—101904–05First Division1000—10Total2000—20Queens Park Rangers1906–07Southern League First Division18000001801907–08Southern League First Division330201Appearance in Southern Professional Charity Cup.03601908–09Southern League First Division390301Appearance in London Challenge Cup.04301909–10Southern League First Division3907053 appearances in London Challenge Cup, 1 appearance in Southern Professional Charity Cup, 1 appearance in London Professional Charity Fund.05101910–11Southern League First Division3601021 appearance in Southern Professional Charity Cup, 1 appearance in London Challenge Cup.03901911–12Southern League First Division700010801912–13Southern League First Division50200070Total17701501002020Woolwich Arsenal1912–13First Division130——1301913–14Second Division12000—120Total25000—250Port Vale1914–15Central League5000—50Career total20901501002340
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