Sandy Archer left England for Canada at the age of three and learned his hockey in Winnipeg where he was twice a Manitoba All-Star selection. He was one of a group of 14 players that included fellow Olympian Jimmy Foster, who returned to play in England in the 1930’s without first obtaining clearance from the Canadian authorities. The inclusion of Archer and Foster in the 1936 British Olympic team drew strong protests from the Canadians but the objection was eventually withdrawn, and Sandy Archer of Wembley Lions played on the right-wing in all seven Olympic matches.
Archer subsequently played in the British team that won the European Championships in 1937 and 1938. His playing career was ended by injury in 1943 and he then coached at Wembley, Nottingham, and Murrayfield before being appointed general manager of Murrayfield Ice Rink in 1952. Archer was a British League All-Star “A” team member in 1937 and 1938. He was elected to the British Hockey Hall of Fame in 1993. Archer also played high-level football (soccer), appearing for the Manitoba All-Stars against the Welsh Football Association in 1929 and the Scottish Football Association touring team in 1935.
Great Britain