1949: Jimmy Hutchinson, £3,250 (£102,500)
Destination: Oldham Athletic
Jimmy Hutchinson’s departure for Oldham Athletic in February 1949 nudged the record forward again, this time by only £250. The inside-forward had been an outstanding success at Sincil Bank, scoring 55 league goals in 85 appearances after joining City in 1947. He was particularly important during the 1947/48 season, hitting 21 league goals as Bill Anderson’s side won the Third Division North title by a single point from Rotherham United, although the following campaign ended in relegation from the Second Division.
Hutchinson’s move to Oldham did not produce the same sort of return. He scored three times in 14 league appearances during 1949/50 and did not play in the Football League again after leaving Boundary Park, instead continuing his career with Denaby United.
By that stage, almost 36 years had passed since Tommy Fern’s move to Everton and City’s record sale had risen from £1,500 to only £3,250.
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