Background
Angell was born in Bitterne, Southampton and played youth football for various local minor clubs before joining Southampton in the summer of 1902, aged 19.
Angell was born in Bitterne, Southampton and played youth football for various local minor clubs before joining Southampton in the summer of 1902, aged 19.
After retiring from playing football, he became a builder and property developer. His first-team debut came on 29 September 1906, when he replaced Jack Hogg at right-half for the Southern League match at Brentford, which was lost 2–1. He retained his place for the next two matches, a 5–1 home victory over Millwall and a 3–2 defeat at Clapton Orient, after which Hogg returned.
Angell later returned to local football with Bitterne Guild and Eastleigh Athletic.
After victories over Dulwich Hamlet and Sheppey United, Thornycrofts were drawn against Burnley. The match, on 10 January 1920, was played at The Dell and ended in a goalless draw.
In the replay three days later, Burnley"s pedigree and experience prevailed, winning 5–0, with three goals from James Lindsay. He was later recruited by Tom Parker as a scout to find potential players from the New Forest area, initially for Arsenal and, from 1933, for Norwich City.
Amongst Angell"s "discoveries" were George Woodford, a full-back who made ten appearances for Norwich City and seven for Southampton, and Eric Webber, who followed Parker to Southampton in 1937 and went on to play over 200 games for Southampton.
After Parker joined Southampton as manager in March 1937, Angell was appointed as manager of the Southampton "A" team In 1945, Angell was appointed manager at Romsey Town, becoming the club chairman in 1954 and president in 1956. By 1939, he had established himself as a builder, based in Woolston trading as J. Angell & Sons Limited, later to become Hilldene Angell, and his company"s name was prominently displayed on a hoarding at The Dell for many years.
He was also a member of the Hampshire Football Association from 1948 to 1955.