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Players Index Page Last Updated
3 March 2023
 
 

Jem Bayliss

West Bromwich Albion FC

1 appearance, 0 goals

P 1 W 1 D 0 L 0 F 6: A 1
100% successful

1887-91

captain: none
minutes played:
90

Timeline

Albert Edward James Matthias Bayliss
Birth Friday, 14 August 1863 in Tipton, Staffordshire
  registered in Dudley July-September 1863
 

According to the 1871 census, James is the youngest child. The only son, with two elder sisters, Agnes and Eliza, to John and Matilda (née Windows), living at 24 New Road in Tipton.

Baptism Sunday, 14 April 1872 in St. Martin's Church, Tipton
 

According to the 1881 census, still at 24 New Road, James had two new sisters, Matilda and Keziah.  The three of them living with their parents. James himself is a pattern-maker, his father an iron worker.

 

According to the 1891 census, James M. was the only child living with his mother, Matilda, in 47 New Road, Tipton. He is an agent.

  "Mr. James M. Bayliss, the old captain of the West Bromwich Albion team, has just died of typhoid fever. Bayliss was the keystone of the Albion team, and was the hero of many of their sensational victories at the expense of Preston North End and Aston Villa." - South Wales Daily News, Thursday, 26 August 1897.
"RUMOURED DEATH OF MR. JAMES BAYLISS.
"The following appeared in a contemporary on Wednesday:―'Footballers everywhere, and followers of the winter pastime throughout the Midlands particular, will hear with great regret of the death of Mr. James M. Bayliss, the old captain of the West Bromwich Albion. The sad event took place on Monday, at his residence at Great Bridge, typhoid fever, it is believed, being the nature of his illness. Bayliss first joined the Albion in the season 1883-4, just when the club was beginning to make itself known throughout the country, for the previous season they succeeded in beating Aston Villa for the first time in a Staffordshire Cup tie, and carried off the cup the same season, which they have won several times. Bayliss had the honour of leading the Albion through most of their sensational victories, and he was to the Albion what Archie Hunter was to the Villa. The last game he played in was the semi-final for the English Cup against Notts Forest at Wolverhampton, the same season that the Albion so unexpectedly defeated the Villa in the final at Kennington Oval in 1892. He was one of the best centre-forwards that ever donned a jersey, and he played football for many years for fewer shillings than than players to-day receive pounds, although professionalism was legalised before he joined the Albion. He captained the team from the time he left the Wednesbury Old Athletic, in 1883, until he ceased playing in 1892. When the Albion Club was formed into a limited liability company, Bayliss was elected one of the first directors in September, 1891, a position he occupied up to the time of his death. His colleagues met last night, and passed a vote of condolence to his mother; while the players, and especially his old comrades, were deeply affected on hearing the news. Jim Bayliss was without a single enemy anywhere, while his true sportsmanlike conduct on the football field won for him the respect and admiration of his opponents.' All lovers of as good a captain as ever wore a jersey will be pleased to hear that the rumour was absolutely unfounded. We wonder what the feelings of Mr. Bayliss were as he read all the nice things said about him. It was very nice of the Post to speak so well of him, but it was very awkward to find the obituary notice was slightly previous."
- The County Express, Saturday, 28 August 1897.
 

According to the 1901 census, James is an Oil and Varnish Agent, living with his aunt Eliza and his mother, at 233 Horseley Heath in Tipton.

Marriage to Leonora Mary Isabel Ritson, on 28 December 1904, in Llanberis, Caernarvon
  registered in Caernarvon October-December 1904
Children Jem and Leonora Bayliss had four children together. Amongst them, Gwyneth Esca Isabel (b.1905), James Alec Harry (b.9 July 1908) and Beryl Matilda (b.23 November 1915)
 

According to the 1911 census, James Matthias, now married with two children, Gwyneth and James, living at 233 Horseley Heath. He is a commercial traveller. The census also reveals that a third child had died.

 

According to the 1921 census, James Matthias, still married, and with a fourth child, Beryl, now living at Mayfield on Stubbs Road in Upper Penn area of Wolverhampton. He is a local agent traveller for oil paints.

  According to Kelly's Directory of Staffordshire, in 1924. Bayliss is a private resident at Penn Fields, still living at Mayfield. He could be contacted on 'Wolverhampton 1200'.
Death Saturday, 19 August 1933 at Mayfield, on Stubbs Road in the Penn Fields area of Wolverhampton, Staffordshire.
aged 70 years 5 days registered in Wolverhampton July-September 1933

Obituary

"MR. J.M. BAYLISS DEAD―captained Albion Team When It First Won Cup
"Mr. James Matthias Bayliss, who captained the West Bromwich Albion team which won the English Cup for the first time, died in his 70th year at Mayfield, Stubbs-road, Wolverhampton, on Saturday. Mr. Bayliss played for the Albion in 1884-5 and scored the second goal when the Albion beat Aston Villa in the third round of the English Cup. In 1886-7 he was on the losing side when the Villa beat Albion at the Oval. He was a popular member of the team in its early days and retained is association with the club to the last. When the Albion won the Cup the last time, he was one of the guests at the commemoration dinner. He had lived in Wolverhampton since 1914. Mr. Bayliss, who was a contemporary of Mr. W. Bassett, captained the Albion from 1884-91. During this period the team appeared in three successive Cup finals, In the 1885-6 season they were beaten by Blackburn Rovers in a replayed game at Derby. Next season they again reached the final and were defeated by Aston Villa at the Oval. In 1887-8, they won the Cup for the first time, defeating Preston North End 2―1. Mr. Bayliss led the attack, and Mr. Bassett was at inside right. Mr. Bayliss, a commercial traveller by profession, was a former director of the club." -
Birmingham Gazette, Monday, 21 August 1933.
Funeral "FOOTBALL FLORAL TRIBUTE―Mr. J. M. Bayliss Buried.
"
A floral football in the Albion colours―white asters and blue delphinium petals―from the directors, players and officials of West Bromwich Albion F.C. and a miniature bowling green (of fern) with representations of two woods and a jack (in delphinium petals) from Penn Fields Club, were conspicuous at the funeral yesterday of Mr. J. M. Bayliss, of Wolverhampton, who captained the Albion from 1884 to 1891―for three successive seasons in Cup finals, in the last of which the trophy was won." - Birmingham Gazette, Thursday, 24 August 1933.
Probate "BAYLISS Albert Edward James Matthias of Mayfield Stubbs-road Penn Fields Wolverhampton died 19 August 1933 Probate Birmingham 9 November to Leonora Mary Isabel Bayliss widow.
Effects £2535 18s. 8d." [2019 equivalent: £182,792]
   Leonora Bayliss died in early-1948

Source

Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990] &

Playing Career

Club(s) Started his career with Great Bridge schools and joined Great Bridge Unity FC and Tipton Providence FC. He joined up with Wednesbury Old Athletic FC in 1883-84 and was signed by West Bromwich Albion FC in August 1884. He retired in March 1892, becoming the club captain for the duration.
League History
56 appearances, thirteen goals
West Bromwich Albion FC 1888-91 56 appearances, thirteen goals.
debut: 8 September 1888 Stoke FC 0 West Bromwich Albion FC 2.
last: 14 November 1891 West Bromwich Albion FC 0 Aston Villa FC 3.
Club honours FA Cup runners-up 1885-86, 1886-87, winners 1887-88c, 1891-92 (1ᵃ);
Football League fifth place 1889-90 (19ᵃ 9ᵍ).
Individual honours None
Height/Weight not known

Source

Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990] & ENFA.

England Career

Player number One of five who became the 174th players (176) to appear for England.
Position(s) Right-half, although a forward for his club.
Only match No. 41, 7 March 1891, England 6 Ireland 1, a British Championship match at Molineux, Waterloo Road North, St. Peter's, Wolverhampton, aged 27 years 205 days.
Major tournaments British Championship 1890-91;
Team honours British Championship winners 1890-91;
Individual honours The Players (one appearance, March 1886);
Distinctions None

Beyond England

Became a West Bromwich Albion FC director while he was still a player, he eventually became the club's Chairman until he resigned in 1905. In June 1909, he was elected a life member. For many years, he was on the staff of the well known Midlands firm, Guest, Keen & Nettleford. - An English Football Internationalists' Who's Who. Douglas Lamming (1990). Hatton Press, p.29.


The Numbers
parties Appearances comp. apps minutes captain
3 1 1 90 0 none
The minutes here given can only ever be a guideline and cannot therefore be accurate, only an approximation.
P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
1 1 0 0 6 1 +5 0 0 6 1 100 +1
His only match was played in the British Championship competition and at a home venue

Tournament Record

British Championship Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
BC 1886-87 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 =0
BC 1887-88 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 =0
BC 1890-91 1 1 0 0 6 1 +5 0 0 6.00 1.00 100.0 +1
BC All 1 1 0 0 6 1 +5 0 0 6.00 1.00 100.0 +1

All Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
BC 1 1 0 0 6 1 +5 0 0 6.00 1.00 100.0 +1
1 1 0 0 6 1 +5 0 0 6 1 100 +1

Match History

 Club: West Bromwich Albion F.C. - one full appearance (90 min) F.A. Committee - no full appearancesx

Age 22 trial  
one appearance - The Gentlemen vs. The Players, 20 March 1886;

apps match match details comp res. rundown pos

Age 23
29 5 February 1887 - England 7 Ireland 0, Yorkshire Cricket Ground, Sheffield BC HW reserve
30 26 February 1887 - England 4 Wales 0, The Surrey Cricket Ground, Kennington BC HW reserve
  

  F.A. International Selecet Committee - one full appearance (90 min)x

Age 24
32 4 February 1888 - Wales 1 England 5, Alexandra Recreation Ground, Crewe BC AW reserve
  

Age 27
1 41 7 March 1891 - England 6 Ireland 1
Molineux, Wolverhampton
BC HW   rh

one of five who became the 174th player (176) to appear for England
the sixth player from West Bromwich Albion FC to represent England

43 4 April 1891 - England 2 Scotland 1, Ewood Park, Blackburn BC HW reserve