England Football Online
Goalkeepers Index
Captains Index		 Page Last Updated
9 July 2023
 
 

Billy Moon

Old Westminsters AFC & Corinthians FC

 7 appearances, 8 goals against
one clean sheet, three errors

 P 7 W 5 D 1 L 1 F 22: A 8
79% successful
1888-91

captain: one
minutes played: 630

Timeline
  William Robert Moon
Birth Sunday, 7 June 1868 at 45 Portsdown Road, Maida Vale, Paddington, Middlesex
  registered in Kensington July-September 1868 Paddington was part of the Middlesex County Registration until 1889
"MOON—On the 7th inst., at 45, Portsdown-gardens, W., the wife of W. Moon, Esq., of a son." - Pall Mall Gazette, Wednesday, 10 June 1868.
Baptism Thursday, 6 August 1868 at St. Saviour's Church, Paddington. Living at 45 Portsdown Road. Father is a solicitor
 

According to the 1871 census, William R. is the third of four children to William and Sarah Augustus (née Debnam). They live at 45 Portsdown Road with four servants. His father is an attorney solicitor.
 

According to the 1881 census, William now has four younger siblings, and along with three servants they still live at 45 Portsdown Road with their parents. His father still a solicitor.
(His father died on 10 December 1882)
 

According to the 1891 census, William is now a solicitor living with his widowed mother. He is the oldest of the five children living with two servants, still at 45 Portsdown Road.
"The marriage arranged between Mr. William Robert Moon and Miss Dagmar A. Burgess will take place on Thursday, the 4th of June, at half-past two o'clock, at the Parish Church, Hendon." - Morning Post, Saturday, 23 May 1896.
Marriage to Dagmar Annie Burgess, St Mary's Church, Finchley on Thursday, 4 June 1896.
Billy is a solicitor living at 45 Portsdown Road, London.
  registered in Hendon April-June 1896
"FASHIONABLE MARRIAGE AT HENDON—WEDDING OF MISS BURGESS.
"The marriage of Dagmar Annie, eldest daughter of Major Ardwick Burgess, of Hendon House, Hendon, to William Robert, eldest son of the late Mr. William Moon, took place yesterday in the historical old parish church of St. Mary, Hendon. Nothing is so interesting, to the ladies in particular, as a fashionable marriage, and upon this occasion there was everything to make the proceedings interesting. The tedium of waiting, if there was any, however, was very considerately relieved by Mr. Nelson Pryor, who played on the electric organ Meyerbere's 'March of the Prophets,' a 'Cavatina' by Raff, and E. Cutler's march. 'Sonnelle'.
"The chancel of the church was most tastefully decorated with tall palms, which were festooned off with pot plants of white rodanths, Marguerite daisies, lilies, and other white flowers, whilst the altar rails were decorated with white on a green base of foliage and fern fronds.
"The bride, who was accompanied by six bridesmaids, arrived just before 2.30 p.m., and leaning on the arm of her father, Major Burgess, at once proceeded to the entrance to the chancel. She wore a handsome dress of rich white duchesse satin, with court train of the same material. The bodice of the dress was trimmed with chiffon, and the high waist band was covered with pearl trimming. The coiffure was a wreath of natural flowers with white tulle veil, and she carried a shower bouquet of white roses, stephanotis, and orchids...Mr. E.G. Moon, brother of the bridegroom, acted as best man.
"...After the service a reception was held at the residence of Major and Mrs. Ardwick Burgess at which there were between three hundred and four hundred guests. At about 5.15 Mr. and Mrs. Moon left amidst a shower of rice, fan fares of trumpets, and the good wishes of the friends, who lined the carriageway and gave hearty cheers as the newly-wedded couple rode down their ranks. The party left en route for Paris." - Hendon & Finchley Times, Friday, 5 June 1896.
Children Billy and Dagmar Moon had two daughters together. Vera Dagmar (b.15 May 1897) and Daphne Gwenneth (b.14 April 1901).
 

(His mother died on 14 December 1900)
According to the 1901 census, William, still a solicitor, is now married to Dagmar and they have two children, Vera and Daphne, and three servants, living at 142 Broadhurst Gardens.
According to phone books in 1909, William Moon is practising at 4 Burgess Street in Hampstead, and you can ring him on 883.
 

According to the 1911 census, William is still a solicitor, still married, still two daughters, now with four servants, living at 69 Avenue Road in Hampstead.
 

According to the 1921 census, William is still a solicitor, still married, still two daughters, now with three servants, and still living at 69 Avenue Road.
According to phone books in 1920-33, William Moon is now practising at 69 Avenue Road in Hampstead, and you can still ring him on 883. From 1930, still at the same address, but can now be reached on PRImrose 0833.
  (His youngest daughter, Daphne Gwenneth, died 9 September 1934)
According to the 1939 register, William is still a solicitor, still married to Dagmar, and have four servants, living at 45 Avenue Road in St. Marylebone.
Death Saturday, 9 January 1943 at Hendon Cottage Hospital, Hendon Way, Hendon, Middlesex.
aged 74 years 216 days registered in Hendon January-March 1943

Obituary
"W.R. Moon, Noted Goalie, Dies 74
"Mr. William Robert Moon, whose death is announced at the age of 74, was one of the most brilliant goalkeepers who ever played for England. He played four times against Scotland, 1888 to 1891, and three times against Wales. A Corinthian, he took part in some of the great matches played by the leading amateur club with Preston North End and other powerful professional teams of that time. He played cricket occasionally for Middlesex." - Manchester Evening News, Monday, 11 January 1943.
Probate "MOON William Robert of 45 Avenue-road Regents Park and of 24 Bloomsbury-square both in London died 9 January 1943 at Hendon Cottage Hospital Hendon Way Hendon Middlesex Probate Llandudno 3 April to The Public Trustee and James Neville Gresham company director.
 Effects £95063 2s. 3d." [2019 equivalent: £4,367,148].
  Dagmar Moon died on 21 May 1950

Source

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

Playing Career
Club(s) Attended Westminster School, making the XI in 1884-85, progressed to play with Old Westminsters AFC.
Corinthians 1886-1901
Club honours None
Individual honours London FA (1887);
Distinctions Played first class cricket for Middlesex CCC
Height/Weight 11st 6lbs [1890]

Source

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

England Career
Player number One of seven who became the 140th player (140) to appear for England.
Position(s) Goalkeeper; the eighteenth goalkeeper to appear for England.
First match No. 32, 4 February 1888, Wales 1 England 5, a British Championship match at the Alexandra Recreation Ground, Nantwich Road, Crewe, aged 19 years 242 days.
Last match
3 years 59 days		 No. 43, 4 April 1891, England 2 Scotland 1, a British Championship match at Ewood Park, Ewood, Blackburn, aged 22 years 301 days.
Major tournaments British Championship 1887-88, 1888-89, 1889-90, 1890-91;
Team honours British Championship winners 1887-88, 1890-91, shared 1889-90;
Individual honours The South (four appearances 9ᵍᵃ, 1887-90)
The Whites (two appearances 4ᵍᵃ, 1890-91)
The Stripes (one appearance 2ᵍᵃ, March 1894)
Distinctions Until August 2012, he was the youngest ever England goalkeeper, a record held for 124½ years. One of only four teenagers to keep goal for the National side.
With his final England appearance, his seventh in 1891, he shared with Herby Arthur the distinction of the keeper with the most appearances, until Jack Robinson beat the record in 1900.
most appearanced Englishman at Old Westminsters AFC.
 Moon died just four days after George Haworth.

Beyond England
A solicitor by profession, admitted in 1891, he was a partner in a firm practising in Bloomsbury. - An English Football Internationalists' Who's Who. Douglas Lamming (1990). Hatton Press, p.176/7.


The Numbers
parties Apps Comp
Apps		 minutes Goals
Against		 GA Av.
min		 Comp GA Clean
Sheets		 Cln
Sht Av.		 errors captain
9 7 7 630 8 79 min 8 1 14% 3 one
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
7 5 1 1 22 8 +14 0 1 3.143 1.143 78.6 +4
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 3 2 0 1 8 5 +3 0 0 2.667 1.667 66.7 +1
Away 4 3 1 0 14 3 +11 0 1 3.50 0.75 87.5 +3

Captain Record

Venue P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
Home 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 0 0 2.00 1.00 100.0 +1
1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 0 0 2 1 100 +1

Tournament Record

British Championship Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
BC 1887-88 2 2 0 0 10 1 +9 0 1 5.00 0.50 100.0 +2
BC 1888-89 2 1 0 1 6 4 +2 0 0 3.00 2.00 50.0 =0
BC 1889-90 2 1 1 0 4 2 +2 0 0 2.00 1.00 75.0 +1
BC 1890-91 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 0 0 2.00 1.00 100.0 +1
BC All 7 5 1 1 22 8 +14 0 1 3.143 1.143 78.6 +4

All Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
BC 7 5 1 1 22 8 +14 0 1 3.143 1.143 78.6 +4
7 5 1 1 22 8 +14 0 1 3.143 1.143 78.6 +4

Match History

 Clubs: Old Westminsters A.F.C. & Corinthians F.C. - seven full appearances (630 min) 8ᵍᵃ  
  F.A. International Select Committee - seven full appearances (630 min) 8ᵍᵃx

Age 18 trial  
one appearance - The North vs. The South, 22 January 1887;
Age 19    
one appearance - The South vs. The North, 14 January 1888;

apps match match details comp res. rundown pos

1 32 4 February 1888 - Wales 1 England 5
 Alexandra Recreation Ground, Crewe 		BC AW 1ᵍᵃ
cs: 17min
cs rec: 73min		 gk
ᵍᵃerror

one of seven who became the 140th player (140) to appear for England
 - the first new players from the International selection committee
the fifth Old Westminster to represent England
one of three who became the 27th Corinthian to represent England
The eighteenth goalkeeper to play for England - fourth competitive
The youngest goalkeeper to play for England - until 2012

2 33 17 March 1888 - Scotland 0 England 5
Hampden Park, Glasgow		 BC AW   gk
34 7 April 1888 - Ireland 1 England 5, Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast BC AW withdrew

Age 20 trial  
one appearance - The North vs. The South, 19 January 1889;

3 35 23 February 1889 - England 4 Wales 1
Victoria Ground, Stoke-upon-Trent		 BC HW 1ᵍᵃ
cs:178 min		 gk
ᵍᵃspinning
  
4 37 13 April 1889 - England 2 Scotland 3
Surrey Cricket Ground, Kennington		 BC HL 3ᵍᵃ gk
ᵍᵃsmart, og error, shot

Age 21 trial  
one appearance - The South vs. The North, 13 January 1890;

5 39 15 March 1890 - Wales 1 England 3
The Racecourse, Wrexham		 BC AW 1ᵍᵃ gk
ᵍᵃshot

trial  
one appearance - The Whites vs. The Blues, 24 March 1890;

6 40 5 April 1890 - Scotland 1 England 1
Hampden Park, Glasgow		 BC AD 1ᵍᵃ gk
ᵍᵃoverhead kick

Age 22
42 7 March 1891 - England 4 Wales 1, Newcastle Road Football Ground, Sunderland BC HW withdrew

trial  
one appearance - The Whites vs. The Stripes, 24 March 1891;

MST GK APS
7 43 4 April 1891 - England 2 Scotland 1
Ewood Park, Blackburn		 BC HW won toss
1ᵍᵃ		 ᶜgk
ᵍᵃerror (collision)
  

The second goalkeeper to make seven England appearances
will share the most goalkeeper appearance record until 1900
the nineteenth player (second goalkeeper) to captain England ~ sixth youngest

Age 25 trial  
one appearance - The Whites vs. The Stripes, 15 March 1894;

in 1923, Moon became the seventh youngest player ever to captain England
in 1939, Moon became the eighth youngest player ever to captain England
in 1963, Moon became the ninth youngest player ever to captain England
in 2002, Moon became the tenth youngest player ever to captain England

  

 
cg