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Billy
Watson |
Burnley FC
3 appearances, 0 goals
P 3 W 1 D
1 L 1 F 2: A 4
50% successful
1913-22
captain: none
minutes played: 250 |
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 |
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Timeline |
| |
Private
Richard Watson |
|
Birth |
Thursday, 11 September 1890 at 33 Poulton Road in North Meols, Southport, Lancashire |
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registered as Richard in Ormskirk October-December 1890 |
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According to the 1891
census, seven months old Richard is the youngest of two children to
William and Alice (née Schofield), the other being older sister,
Miriam. His father is a house painter, and they live at 33 Poulton Road in
the North Meols area of Southport. |
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According to the 1901
census, they still live at 33 Poulton Road, Richard has two more siblings,
twins Edith and Frederick. His father is still a house painter. |
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|
According to the 1911
census, Richard is now a house painter, along with his father. He has two
more younger siblings, Eva and Edward. They all live at 28 Hereford Road
in Southport. The census reveals that his parents had had eight children,
and that two had died. |
"THE PRESENT TO A BURNLEY FOOTBALLER.—WATSON'S
LETTER OF THANKS.
"Mr. T. H. G. Grey has received the following letter
from Billy Watson:—
28, Hereford Road,
Southport. |
|
"Dear Mr. Grey,—I
am just writing to tell you how very much I thank you and all the
gentlemen who helped and worked so willingly in getting me the
beautiful present which I have just received.
"I
should have liked to have thanked every one of you personally
before I came away, but I was unable to find the time. I hope you
will now accept my very heartiest thanks yourself, and kindly
convey the same to all the other members of the Committee and the
people who so kindly subscribed. I appreciate all that you did for
me very much indeed, and I think you know how delighted I am with
present. How could anyone be otherwise? |
With kindest regards,
I remain.
Yours sincerely.
BILLY WATSON."
- The Burnley News, Wednesday, 21 May 1913 |
." |
|
First marriage |
to Sarah Lily Sanderson, on
Wednesday, 6 October 1915 at the Victoria Wesleyan
Church, Blowick, Southport. After
spending their honeymoon in Norbreck, they returned to live at 1 Blair
Grove, in Norwood Avenue, Southport. |
|
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registered as Richard in Ormskirk October-December 1915 |
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Children |
Billy and
Lily have one daughter together. |
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"'BILLY' WATSON'S REQUEST |
Pte. 'Billy' Watson, the popular Burnley left half-back, is with
the M.T.A.S.C. in France. He writes to the Burnley club to say that he is
doing nicely and asks for a football. He says:—'We got a team up last
week and had a game against a team of R.F.A. men. Most of our boys were
playing in ordinary rig-out.—no football boots or anything—so we did
not do so well and got beaten 5—3. The team had to dress in a corner
of the field. It quite reminded me of old local days.' He proceeds to
comment on the position of the Burnley club, and adds—'I suppose you
have a job to get a team sometimes. Keep the flag flying a bit longer, for
I think we are well on the way to a finish of this job. I have nothing in
the world to grumble about except I can't get home at week-ends. Of course
everything is on the rough, but I am getting quite used to it. I take
everything as it comes and make the best of it.'" - The
Burnley Express & News, Wednesday, 28 March 1917 |
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Their only child, a daughter, died in February 1920.
According to the
1921 census, Richard, a professional footballer (for Burnley FC) is still
married to Sarah Lily, and they live at 1 Blair Grove in Southport.
His wife, Lily, died on 15 November 1921.... |
|
"Every sympathy will be extended to Billy Watson in
the irretrievable loss he sustained on Tuesday of his wife. Billy has had
an all too brief married life, his wedding to Miss Lily Sanderson, of
Southport, and formerly of Burnley, taking place on October 6th, 1915. He
suffered a bereavement in February of last year, when he lost his only
baby, an event which led to him not taking part in the English League
match v. the North, for which he was selected as captain. He has been
playing under a weight of anxiety during the past weeks, and all will
regret that what might have been a happy event has resulted in the loss of
a well-loved wife. An improvement in Mrs. Watson's condition had taken
place during the past week, and it was not till last week-end that a change
took place for the worse." - The Burnley Express & News, Saturday, 19
November 1921. |
|
"RETURN THANKS |
MR. (BILLY)
WATSON desires to thank the many friends for their kind letters of
sympathy for floral tributes received during his recent and sad
bereavement.—1, Blair-grove, Southport." - The
Southport Guardian, Wednesday, 23 November 1921 |
|
Second marriage |
to Mary Chippendale, on
Tuesday, 20
May 1924 in Ormskirk. |
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registered as Richard in Ormskirk April-June 1924 |
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Children |
Billy and
Mary have one daughter together. Margaret (b.1927) |
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"Mr. William Watson, Southport, who is shortly to be elected
president of the Southport Ironmongers' Association, is none other than
'Billy' Watson, the former Burnley left-half.. Motoring is his other
pastime these days" - The Burnley
Express & News, Saturday, 3 March 1934. |
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|
According to the 1939 register, William, a decorator and ironmonger, and
Mary are still married, living at 92 Bispham Road in Southport..'the
ironmonger's shop'. |
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"Father of 'Billy' Watson Dead |
Mr. William Watson, master painter and decorator, died at
his home in Hereford Road, Southport, to-day, aged 78." - The
Manchester Evening News, Thursday, 28 March 1940 |
|
"SOUTHPORT LIBERALS' |
CHOICE
"Mr. William Watson, the former English
international left-half, has been adopted as Liberal candidate to contest
Sussex Ward in the November elections at Southport. There will be a
three-cornered contest." - The
Liverpool Echo, Saturday, 14 September 1946 |
|
"LIBERAL GAINS AT |
SOUTHPORT.
"Sussex.—W. WATSON (Lib). 1,250. A. Hughes (Lab) 1,155. W. Pearce (C) 784. Maj. 95." - The Lancashire
Daily Post, Saturday, 2 November 1946. |
|
"NEW COUNCILLOR'S ESCAPE |
Councillor 'Billy' Watson, who scored a Liberal gain at Southport
had a narrow escape from serious injury during his election campaign
yesterday afternoon. He and his wife were travelling in a car along Sussex
Road, followed by a Corporation bus, and as the car turned into Lime
Street one of the rear wheels came off. The car shot across the road but
it did not turn over. Mr. and Mrs. Watson, however, were badly shaken." - The
Liverpool Echo, Saturday, 2 November 1946 |
|
"Councillor and Mrs. William Watson, of Southport,
celebrated their silver wedding anniversary last week-end." - The Burnley
Express & News, Saturday, 28 May 1949. |
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"HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION |
SOUTHPORT: 'Sunningdale' Private Hotel, 9 Albany-road. Adjoining
promenade. Book now for Easter. Proprietor: Billy Watson (late Burnley
F.C.)." - The
Burnley Express & News, Saturday, 3 March 1951 |
|
"Tit-for-tat at Southport |
Park.—W. WATSON (L) 1,417. R. Billingham (C) 1,362. Maj. 55 L
gain from C." - The Lancashire Evening Post, Friday, 13 May 1955 |
|
Death |
Thursday, 1
September 1955 at The Hesketh Nursing Home, 14 Park Avenue in Southport,
Lancashire |
|
aged
64 years 355 days |
registered as Richard in Southport July-September 1955 |
|
Obituary |
"Old Burnley F.C. star dies
"MR. WILLIAM (BILLY) WATSON, of
Albany Road, Southport, former international footballer, who died in a
nursing home yesterday, was a Burnley player when the team created a
record in the 1920-1 season of 30 consecutive league matches without
defeat. During his 15 seasons with Burnley he was awarded four
international caps for England, had ten inter-league badges and took part
in Continental tours. In 1914, when Burnley beat Liverpool 1-0, Mr. Watson
received an F.A. Cup medal from King George V, who was attending his first
professional football match. In May last Mr. Watson won a Southport Town
Council seat for the Liberals. He leaves a widow and two married
daughters." - Liverpool Echo, Friday,
2 September 1955. |
|
Funeral |
Monday, 5
September 1955 in Southport. |
"Funeral of Mr. Billy
Watson
"There was a large and
representative attendance at the funeral service, prior to cremation
yesterday, of Mr. William (Billy) Watson, a Liberal member of Southport
Town Council, and a former Burnley and England footballer. He was also a
cricketer, and was associated with a large number of youth movements,
church and philanthropic organisations in Southport, all of which were
represented at the service at the Victoria Methodist Church, where Mr.
Watson had been a church and Sunday school worker. Mr. Watson, who died
last Thursday, only rejoined the Town Council last May. He was 64. Among
the congregation were the Mayor (Councillor A. E. Townend), the deputy
Town Clerk (Mr. Bayley-Brown), and aldermen, councillors and officials of
the Corporation. Rev. J. O. Cochran said some might have wondered why Mr.
Watson stood for election last May after the ill-health he had suffered,
But Mr. Watson had told him he did not feel he could sit back and do
nothing." - Lancashire Evening Post, Tuesday,
6 September 1955. |
|
Probate |
"WATSON
Richard
otherwise William of Sunningdale 9 Albany-road Southport
Lancashire
died 1 September
1955 at The Hesketh Nursing Home 14 Park-avenue Southport Probate
Winchester
5 October to Mary Watson widow.
Effects £656 14s. 5d."
[2025 equivalent: £14,950]. |
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His wife, Mary, died in Leeds in summer 1998 |
|
Source |
 Douglas Lammings'
An
English Football Internationalist Who's Who
[1990] Angela Green, Billy's great granddaughter & |
|
Playing Career |
Club(s) |
Began playing
schoolboy football in Southport and also played with Sunday school side
Blowick Wesleyans FC. Signed for Southport Central FC in 1907, turning
professional in 1908. Burnley FC signed him in March 1909 for £200,
becoming club captain, leaving in 1925, for Accrington Stanley FC. He did appear for
Southport Central FC again during the war, as well as Fulham FC. Appointed
as a player-coach to the Blackburn Rovers FC 'A' team in November 1926,
when he received a leg injury in the December 1927, effectively ending his
playing career. |
League honours
352 appearances, 18 goals |
Burnley FC 1909-25
346 appearances, eighteen goals
debut (division two): 3 April 1909 Burnley FC
0 Leeds City AFC 0.
Accrington Stanley FC 1925-26 six appearances
debut (division three north): 29
August 1925 Walsall FC 3 Accrington Stanley FC 3.
last (division three
north): 13 April 1926 Accrington Stanley FC 2 Crewe Alexandra FC 0. |
|
Club honours |
Football League Division Two
third place 1911-12 (38ᵃ), runners-up 1912-13
(32ᵃ 2ᵍ); Division One runners-up 1919-20
(39ᵃ 5ᵍ), Champions
1920-21 (42ᵃ 2ᵍ), third place (31ᵃ 2ᵍ);
FA Charity Shield winners
1913 (Professionals);
FA Cup
winners
1913-14 (8ᵃ); |
|
Individual honours |
Football League
(five appearances, one as captain)
After having played in a
hundred consecutive league matches, Watson was presented with a gold watch
and medal from the Burnlet directors in May 1913. |
|
Distinctions |
The
Watson-Mosscrop Trophy was a competition in the Southport and District
Amateur Football League for senior division clubs in aid of the Benevolent
Fund. |
|
Height/Weight |
5'
7½", 11st.
2lbs [1914]. |
|
Source |
Douglas Lammings' An English
Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990]. |
|
England Career |
|
Player number |
375th
player to appear for England. |
|
Position(s) |
Left half |
|
First match |
No. 116, 5 April 1913,
England 1 Scotland 0, a British Championship match at Stamford Bridge, Fulham Road, Fulham, London, aged
22 years
206 days. |
Last match
6 years 203 days |
No. 120, 25 October 1919, Ireland 1
England 1, a British Championship match at Windsor Park, Donegall Avenue, Belfast, aged
29 years 44 days. |
|
Major tournaments |
British
Championship 1912-13, 1913-14, 1919-20; |
|
Team honours |
British
Championship winners 1912-13; |
|
Individual honours |
The
Professionals
(one appearance, October 1913);
England Trial (one
appearance, January 1914, withdrew in November 1913);
England Victory
(one appearance, October 1919);
The North (withdrewᶜ from the
February 1920 fixture). |
|
Distinctions |
Died eight days after Harold Fleming and twenty days after Bert Freeman. |
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Beyond England |
|
Part of the Motor Transport of
the Army Service Corps during the war. After leaving football Watson
trained the players at Accrington Stanley FC, also worked as
an ironmonger, of which he became President of the Ironmonger's
Association, and also followed his fathers trade, as a painter & decorator.
Also a successful cricketer, captaining is local side, Derby CC in the
Southport League. Served two spells as a Liberal
councillor on the Southport local authority. -
An English Football Internationalists' Who's Who.
Douglas Lamming (1990). Hatton Press, p.262. |
|
The Numbers |
|
parties |
Appearances |
comp. apps |
minutes |
 |
captain |
|
4 |
3 |
3 |
250 |
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 |
|
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
-2 |
1 |
1 |
0.667 |
1.333 |
50 |
=0 |
|
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 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
-2 |
1 |
1 |
0.50 |
1.50 |
50.0 |
=0 |
|
Away |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
=0 |
0 |
0 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
50.0 |
=0 |
Opposition Record
|
Opposition |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
FTS
|
CS |
FAv |
AAv |
Pts% |
W/L |
|
Ireland |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
-3 |
1 |
0 |
0.50 |
2.00 |
25.0 |
-1 |
|
Scotland |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
+1 |
0 |
1 |
1.00 |
0.00 |
100.0 |
+1 |
Tournament Record
|
British Championship Competition |
|
Type |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
FTS |
CS |
FAv |
AAv |
Pts% |
W/L |
|
BC 1912-13 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
+1 |
0 |
1 |
1.00 |
0.00 |
100.0 |
+1 |
|
BC 1913-14 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
-3 |
1 |
0 |
0.00 |
3.00 |
00.0 |
-1 |
|
BC 1919-20 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
=0 |
0 |
0 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
50.0 |
=0 |
|
BC 1922-23 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
=0 |
0 |
0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
=0 |
|
BC All |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
-2 |
1 |
1 |
0.667 |
1.333 |
50.0 |
=0 |
|
All Competition |
|
Type |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
FTS |
CS |
FAv |
AAv |
Pts% |
W/L |
|
BC |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
-2 |
1 |
1 |
0.667 |
1.333 |
50.0 |
=0 |
|
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
-2 |
1 |
1 |
0.667 |
1.333 |
50 |
=0 |
Match History
|
apps |
match |
match details |
comp |
res. |
rundown |
pos |
|
Age 29 |
Victory
Inter'nal |
18 October 1919 -
England 2 Wales 0
Victoria Ground,
Stoke-on-Trent |
Fr |
HW |
|
lh |
...5 years and 253 days
since last England appearance
|
|
England
Football Online