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12 August 2025
 
 

Billy Bradshaw

Blackburn Rovers FC

 4 appearances, 0 goals

P 4 W 3 D 1 L 0 F 12: A 5
88% successful
1910-13

captain: none
minutes played: 360

Timeline
  William Bradshaw
Birth Thursday, 3 April 1884 at 56 Ingham Street, Padiham, Lancashire
  registered in Burnley April-June 1884
 

According to the 1891 census, William is the sixth child of eight to James and Sarah Ann (née Dewhurst), living at 17 Whitaker Street in Hapton. His father is a loom overlooker.
 

According to the 1901 census, William is one of five and he is a tripe dresser, still with their parents living at 13 Church Street in Padiham.
Marriage to Nancy Jane Duxbury, Tuesday, 12 September 1905 at St Leonard's Church, Padiham, Lancashire, as a professional footballer.
  registered in Burnley July-September 1905
Children Billy and Nancy Bradshaw have four daughters together. Edna (b.8 February 1906), Gladys (b.28 March 1910), Dorothy (b.March 1912) and Elsie (b.14 May 1921).
 

According to the 1911 census, William, a professional footballer, married to Nancy Jane, with two daughters, Edna and Gladys. They live at 81 Stockbridge Road in Padiham.
"LATE MR. BRADSHAW.   The funeral of the late Mr. James Bradshaw took place at the Padiham Church Cemetery on Saturday. Prior to leaving the residence of the deceased, 106, Railway-terrace, a short service was conducted by the Rev. Thomas Munn, Unitarian minister. The hearse contained a panelled oak coffin with nickel fittings, and the plate bore the inscription; 'James Bradshaw, died February 1st, 1916, aged 67 years.'" - The Burnley News, Wednesday, 9 February 1916.
  According to the 1921 census, William is a professional footballer, still married to Nancy Jane, and with two more daughters, Dorothy and Elsie, they live at 107 Scotland Road in Blackburn.
"EX-FOOTBALLER BEREAVED. —Many Padiham people will regret to learn that Mrs. Nancy Bradshaw, wife of Mr. William Bradshaw, the former Blackburn Rovers player, died at Blackburn on Wednesday. Mrs. Bradshaw had been ill for some time and was compelled to take to her bed a fortnight ago. She comes of a well-known Padiham family, her maiden name being Duxbury." - The Burnley Gazette, Saturday, 12 November 1927
"MOTHER OF SEVEN ATHLETES   The funeral took place at Padiham Church Cemetery to-day of Mrs. Jane Bradshaw (83). All her seven sons gained distinction as footballers or track runners. One of them, William Bradshaw, was an international half-back with Blackburn Rovers." - Lancashire Evening Post, Wednesday, 19 October 1932  She had died on 16 October and is buried with her husband, Billy's father.
  According to the 1939 register, widower William, a labourer at the engineering foundry, is living at 105 Walton Street in Blackburn, with their daughter, Elsie.
Death Monday, 6 June 1955 in Blackburn, Lancashire. He was living at 105 Walter Street in Blackburn
aged 71 years 64 days registered in Blackburn April-June 1955
Obituary
"BRADSHAW DIES
"Billy Bradshaw, the former Blackburn Rovers half-back who gained Caps for England against Wales in 1910 and 1913, and Ireland in 1910 and 1912, died in Blackburn yesterday, aged 71." - The Nottingham Guardian Journal, Tuesday, 7 June 1955
Funeral Thursday, 9 June 1955 at St Leonard's Church, Padiham. Billy is buried with his wife, Nancy.
Source

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

Playing Career

Club(s)		 Started his football career with local side Padiham FC, before signing with Accrington Stanley FC in 1902, at the age of 18. 'That season, playing alongside his brother Jack, he helped the club to become the first non-league side to win the Lancashire Combination title.' Blackburn Rovers FC signed him on 24 April 1903 for a £20 transfer fee, effective 1 May. Bradshaw then became the player~manager at Rochdale AFC between 6 July and September 1920. 'He retired from playing and returned to Ewood Park in the capacity of scout.'
League honours
386 appearances, 36 goals		 Lancashire Combination winners 1902-03;
Blackburn Rovers FC 1903-20 386 appearances, 36 goals
debut: 12 September 1903 Wolverhampton Wanderers FC 1 Blackburn Rovers FC 0.
last: 28 February 1920 Chelsea FC 2 Blackburn Rovers FC 1.

Club honours		 Football League Division One third place 1909-10 (34ᵃ 4ᵍ), 1914-15 (20ᵃ 2ᵍ), Champions 1911-12 (36ᵃ 3ᵍ), 1913-14 (27ᵃ 3ᵍ);
FA Cup semi-finalist 1910-11 (2ᵃ), 1911-12 (7ᵃ);
FA Charity Shield winners 1912;
Individual honours Football League (four appearances, 1904-11)
Distinctions "Ernest played with the Burnley and Blackpool clubs; John was a player with Accrington and Nelson teams; and the youngest son, Richard, who is now in Australia, also played with the Blackpool first team." - Lancashire Evening Post, Wednesday, 19 October 1932
Also a cousin of Jack Dewhurst (Blackburn Rovers FC & Bury FC 1899-1911)
Height/Weight 5' 8", 10st. 10lbs [1910].
Source

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

England Career
Player number One of five who became the 344th players (347) to appear for England.
Position(s) Left-half
First match No. 105, 12 February 1910, Ireland 1 England 1, a British Championship match at Solitude Ground, Cliftonville, Belfast, aged 25 years 315 days.
Last match No. 115, 17 March 1913, England 4 Wales 3, a British Championship match at Ashton Gate, Ashton Vale, Bedminster, Bristol, aged 28 years 348 days.
Major tournaments British Championship 1909-10, 1911-12, 1912-13;
Team honours British Championship shared 1911-12, winners 1912-13;
Individual honours The Whites (one appearance, January 1910);
The Stripes (one appearance, January 1912);
Distinctions None

Beyond England
'Despite the opportunity to join the family tripe-dressing business, well-established in Padiham and the surrounding area, he settled in Blackburn and gained long-term employment with Willan and Mills Engineering where he remained until he retired.' - David Hicksman—Burnley Express & News, Tuesday, 12 October 1999


The Numbers
parties Appearances comp. apps minutes captain
4 4 4 360 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
4 3 1 0 12 5 +7 0 1 3 1.2 87.5 +3
All of his matches were played in the British Championship competition

Venue Record

Venue P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
Home 1 1 0 0 4 3 +1 0 0 4.00 3.00 100.0 +1
Away 3 2 1 0 8 2 +6 0 1 2.667 0.667 83.3 +2

Opposition Record

Opposition P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
Wales 2 2 0 0 5 3 +2 0 1 2.50 1.50 100.0 +2
Ireland 2 1 1 0 7 2 +5 0 0 3.50 1.00 75.0 +1

Tournament Record

British Championship Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
BC 1909-10 2 1 1 0 2 1 +1 0 1 1.00 0.50 75.0 +1
BC 1911-12 1 1 0 0 6 1 +5 0 0 6.00 1.00 100.0 +1
BC 1912-13 1 1 0 0 4 3 +1 0 0 4.00 3.00 100.0 +1
BC All 4 3 1 0 12 5 +7 0 1 3.00 1.20 87.5 +3

All Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
BC 4 3 1 0 12 5 +7 0 1 3.00 1.20 87.5 +3
4 3 1 0 12 5 +7 0 1 3 1.2 87.5 +3

Match History
 Club: Blackburn Rovers F.C. - four full appearances (360 min) F.A. International Select Committee - four full appearances (360 min)x

apps match match details comp res. rundown pos

Age 25 trial  
one appearance - The Whites vs. The Stripes, 31 January 1910;

1 105 12 February 1910 - Ireland 1 England 1
Solitude Ground, Belfast		 BC AD   lh

one of five who became the 344th player (345) to appear for England
one of two who became the twentieth player from Blackburn Rovers FC to represent England

2 106 14 March 1910 - Wales 0 England 1
Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff		 BC AW   lh
 

Age 27 trial  
one appearance - The Whites vs. The Stripes, 22 January 1912;

3 111 10 February 1912 - Ireland 1 England 6
Dalymount Park, Dublin		 BC AW   lh
 

Age 28
4 115 17 March 1913 - England 4 Wales 3
Ashton Gate, Bedminster		 BC HW   lh
 


 

 
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