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Albert
Wilkes |
Aston Villa FC
5 appearances, 1 goal
P 5 W 2 D
3 L 0 F 11: A 4
70% successful
1901-02
captain: none
minutes played: 450 |
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Timeline |
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Albert Wilkes |
|
Birth |
Monday, 6 September 1875 in West Bromwich,
Staffordshire
Another genealogical source names 10 November
1875. But definitely not 1874, and definitely not in Birmingham. |
|
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registered
as Wilks in West Bromwich October-December 1875. |
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Education |
Holy Trinity School in West Bromwich |
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According to the 1881
census, Albert is the second of four children to Samuel and Susannah (née
Baggott), living at 32 Wood Lane in West Bromwich. His father is a coal
miner. They have one boarder. |
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According to the 1891
census, Albert is the second eldest of five children still at home at 40
George Street in West Bromwich. His father is still a coal miner. |
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"Yesterday
afternoon Albert Wilkes, one of the Aston
Villa half-backs, met with an accident whilst riding a bicycle through
West Bromwich. Wilkes collided with a cart, and was thrown violently from
his machine, sustaining an injury to the shoulder-fortunately not of a
serious nature. The bicycle was badly damaged." - Nottingham
Evening Post, Thursday, 13 April 1899. |
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According to the 1901
census, Albert, along with seven other footballers, is visiting Blackpool,
for they are staying at the Station Hotel on Talbot Road. |
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Marriage |
to Lydia Fereday,
on Saturday, 6 June 1903 in West Bromwich, Staffordshire. |
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registered
in West Bromwich April-June 1903. |
"Albert Wilkes, the Aston
Villa international half-back, was married at West Bromwich, his native
place, last week-end." - The Staffordshire Sentinel, Monday,
8 June 1903.
"Albert Wilkes, the well-known Villa
half-back and international, was married on Saturday to Miss Lydia Fereday,
a West Bromwich lady. The wedding aroused considerable interest in the
district, and the ceremony was witrnessed by a large congregation."
- The Derby Daily Telegraph, Wednesday, 10 June 1903 |
|
Children |
Albert and Lydia
Wilkes had four children together. Albert Edward (b.15
October 1903), Lydia May (b.1905),
Vera Joyce (b.1909) and Arthur Graham
(b.1917). |
"PHOTOGRAPHER'S
STUDIO BURNT DOWN
"In the early hours of Saturday morning the
photographic studio of Albert Wilkes was completely destroyed by fire. Mr.
Wilkes resides in Legge-street,
West Bromwich, where he carries on business as a photographer, and at the
rear of the premises is erected a studio with a large wooden roof covered
in felt. About half-past twelve flames were noticed bursting out of the
building, and an alarm being given, the West Bromwich Fire Brigade were
soon on the spot with their motortender. The fire, however, had evidently
been in progress for some time, and when the firemen arrived had obtained
such a hold that it was hopeless to attempt to save the building. The
brigade worked for about an hour, at the end of which time the fire had
been sufficiently extinguished to enable them to depart, leaving two men
in charge. The studio was completely destroyed, together with its
contents, which included expensive cameras and fittings and a large stock
of photographic materials of considerable value. The damage is estimated
at about 400, and is only partly covered by insurance. The origin of the
fire is at present unknown, the studio having been left apparently all
right about ten o'clock last night by Mr. Wilkes." -
Birmingham Gazette & Express, Monday, 6 July 1909. |
"EX-VILLA
PLAYER'S PLUCKY ACTION
"A plucky rescue from drowning was effected in
Dartmouth Park, West Bromwich, by Albert Wilkes, the ex-Villa and Fulham
footballer. A number of boys were playing on the ice which still remained
on the large boating pool, when one of them fell in the water. Wilkes, who
happened to be near, at once went on to the ice, but ere he had proceeded
many yards he, too, precipitated into the pool. He then broke his way
through the ice until he reached the spot where the lad was last seen, and
after considerable difficulty he managed to get him to the side."
- Alfreton and Belper Journal, Friday, 11 February 1910.
———————
"At
West Bromwich, yesterday, the mayor publicly presented the certificate of
the Royal Humane Society to Albert Wilkes, the old international
footballer, in recognition of his gallantry in rescuing a boy of ten years
from drowning in Dartmouth Park pool, West Bromwich." -
London Standard, Friday, 6 May 1910. |
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(His father died on 3
November 1903 in West Bromwich)
According to the 1911
census, Albert is a professional photographer married to Lydia with three
children, Albert and Vera are living with them (Lydia is
elsewhere). They have one servant and they live at 45 Legge Street in West Bromwich. |
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According to the 1921 census,
Albert, still a photographer and still married, have one more son, Graham.
They still live at 45 Legge Street.
(His mother died in West
Bromwich, early 1932) |
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"Mr. Albert Wilkes was appointed to Aston Villa's directorate
on 25 September 1934, in succession to Mr. John Devey, who
retired through ill-health." -
Birmingham Gazette, Thursday, 10 December 1936 |
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Death |
"early hours of this
morning" Wednesday, 9 December 1936 at Lyncroft,
Sweetpool Lane in West Hagley, Stourbridge,
Worcestershire, of pneumonia. |
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aged
61 years 94 days |
registered
in Bromsgrove October-December 1936. |
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Obituary |
"Aston Villa Director's Death
"BY
the death of pneumonia of Mr. Albert Wilkes at the age of 61 years Aston
Villa loses one of its directors, and one of its greatest players. Mr.
Wilkes, who leaves a widow, two sons, and two daughters, was one of the
most famous of all the footballers who have been associated with Aston
Villa, and was much respected for his opinions and straightforwardness,
and will be missed in the sporting fraternity of the country as a whole.
As a player, Mr. Wilkes had an illustrious career. While on Villa's staff
he played five times for England—twice against Scotland (1901-2) twice
against Wales (1901-2), and once against Ireland (1902)—and figured in one
inter-league match. Mr. Wilkes was a native of West Bromwich...Mr. Wilkes
also tried his hand at cricket—he played several times in the West Bromwich
Dartmouth first team—but owing to defective eye-sight he relinquished the game.
During his playing career his hobby was photography. When his playing days
were over he turned his hobby into a business which has developed
into the largest of the kind in the country—his speciality has been the
photographing of sportsmen. A tragic feature of Mr. Wilkes' death is that
it had been his great ambition to assist in steering Villa back to the
First Division. He had travelled thousands of miles for the club searching
and negotiating for players. Mr. Wilkes was a prominent worker in
connection with the West Bromwich Baptist Church, and a Pass Master of the
Dartmouth Lodge of Freemasons." -
Birmingham Gazette, Thursday, 10 December 1936
"Round
about 25,000 saw the kick-off, Villa players wore black armlets as a
tribute to Mr. Albert Wilkes, the director, who died on Wednesday. Before
the game commenced, the National Anthem was played, and greeted with
cheers." - Sports Argus, Saturday, 12 December 1936.
[West Ham United were beating Aston Villa
2-0 before the match was abandoned because of fog in the 83rd minute] |
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Probate |
"WILKES
Albert of Lyncroft Sweetpool-lane Hagley
Worcestershire died
9 December 1936 Probate Birmingham
5 February to Lydia Wilkes widow and Albert Edward Wilkes photographer. Effects £11774 10s. 7d. Resworn £11824 10s. 7d."
[2024 equivalent: £702,225] |
Funeral
Monday,
14 December 1936
Free
Church, West Hagley |
|
"Six Aston Villa players were bearers at the funeral yesterday of
Mr. Albert Wilkes, of West Hagley, Stourbridge, for many years prominent
in Association football as player, referee and latterly a director of
Aston Villa F.C. They were Griffiths, Allen, Massie, Gardner, Biddlestone
and Hodgson. Most of the directors, staff and players of Aston Villa F.C.
were also present, as well as representatives of the world of sport from
other parts of the district. The service, conducted by the Rev. A. T.
Ward, of Market Harborough, was held in the little Free Church at West
Hagley. Mr. G. F. Davies being at the organ." -
Birmingham Gazette, Tuesday, 15 December 1936. |
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Lydia Wilkes, died in Worcester
on 3 February 1943. |
|
Source |
 Douglas Lammings' An
English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990] & |
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Playing Career |
Club(s) |
,%20Albert.jpg) "He was educated at Trinity Schools
and for three seasons was captain of the school team. He excelled as an
outside-right. After leaving school he became associated with West
Bromwich Baptists F.C. and for two seasons was a useful half-back. At the
age of 15 he joined Oldbury Town club (Birmingham League) and while
serving with that club he was 'spotted' by Walsall [before then however,
he went to West Bromwich Albion, with which club he stopped only a few
months, although he had several trials]. He made an auspicious
debut in Walsall's colours by helping the club to beat the Wrockwardine
Wood team in a Football Association Cup-tie by ten goals to nil. With
Walsall he occupied at different times all three positions in the halfback
line and occasionally appeared in the forward line. When Aston Villa took
a strong fancy to three of the Walsall players—George Johnson, Aston, and
Albert Wilkes—the club purchased them for a sum which in those days was
considered heavy."...in
the 1898 close season. Fulham FC signed Wilkes on 27 July 1907.
Chesterfield Town FC on 8 April 1909. He retired on 21 July 1909, to
concentrate on this photographic business (which had just suffered a
tragedy↑). |
League honours
205 appearances, 15 goals |
Walsall FC
1896-98 45 appearances, six goals
debut (division two): 26 September
1896 Gainsborough Trinity FC 2 Walsall FC 0.
Aston Villa FC 1898-1907
141 appearances, seven goals
debut: 3 September 1898 Aston Villa
FC 3 Stoke FC 1.
Fulham FC 1907-08 sixteen appearances, two goals
debut
(division two): 28 September 1907 Barnsley FC 6 Fulham FC 0.
Chesterfield Town
FC 1909 three appearances
debut (division two): 10 April 1909
Chesterfield Town FC 2 West Bromwich Albion FC 2.
last (division two):
24 April 1909 Chesterfield Town FC 2 Gainsborough Trinity FC 1. |
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Club honours |
Football League
Champions 1898-99 (11ᵃ 1ᵍ), 1899-1900 (21ᵃ 1ᵍ), runners-up
1902-03 (21ᵃ 1ᵍ); fourth place 1904-05 (9ᵃ); Division Two
fourth place 1907-08 (15ᵃ 2ᵍ)
FA Cup winners 1904-05 (1ᵃ); |
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Individual honours |
Football League
(one appearance) |
|
Distinctions |
None |
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Height/Weight |
5'
7", 11st.
5lbs [1901],
5'
7½", 11st.
7lbs [1902]. |
|
Source |
Douglas Lammings' An English
Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990]. |
|
England Career |
|
Player number |
One of six who
became the 262nd players (263) player to appear for England. |
|
Position(s) |
Right-half; left-half |
|
First match |
No. 72, 18 March 1901, England
6 Wales 0, a British Championship match at St. James' Park, Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne, aged
25 years
193 days. |
Last match
1 year 46 days |
No. 76,
3 May 1902, England 2
Scotland
2, a replayed British Championship
match at Aston Lower Grounds, Trinity Road, Aston, Birmingham, aged
26 years 239 days.
 |
|
Major tournaments |
British Championship 1900-01, 1901-02; |
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Team honours |
British Championship winners 1900-01; |
|
Individual honours |
The
North (one appearance February 1902); |
|
Distinctions |
None |
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Beyond England |
,%20Albert.jpg) Retired from playing to concentrate
on his photography business. He was later a Football League referee and an
Aston Villa FC director from September 1934. Throughout, he was a
prominent worker for the Baptist Church. -
An English Football Internationalists' Who's Who.
Douglas Lamming (1990). Hatton Press, p.268.
His photography business
was handed down to his son, Albert Edward, upon his death in 1936. In
1970, the business was sold to ColorSport. |
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The Numbers |
| parties |
Apps |
comp. apps |
minutes |
|
goals ave.min |
comp. goals |
captain |
|
7 |
5 |
5 |
450 |
1 |
450
min |
1 |
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 |
|
5 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
11 |
4 |
+7 |
1 |
3 |
2.2 |
0.8 |
70 |
+2 |
|
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 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
10 |
4 |
+6 |
0 |
1 |
3.333 |
1.333 |
66.7 |
+1 |
|
Away |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
+1 |
1 |
2 |
0.50 |
0.00 |
75.0 |
+1 |
Tournament Record
|
British Championship Competition |
|
Type |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
FTS |
CS |
FAv |
AAv |
Pts% |
W/L |
|
BC 1900-01 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
8 |
2 |
+6 |
0 |
1 |
4.00 |
1.00 |
75.0 |
+1 |
|
BC 1901-02 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
+1 |
1 |
2 |
1.00 |
0.667 |
66.7 |
+1 |
|
BC
All |
5 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
11 |
4 |
+7 |
1 |
3 |
2.20 |
0.80 |
70.0 |
+2 |
|
All Competition |
|
Type |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
FTS |
CS |
FAv |
AAv |
Pts% |
W/L |
|
BC |
5 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
11 |
4 |
+7 |
1 |
3 |
2.20 |
0.80 |
70.0 |
+2 |
|
5 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
11 |
4 |
+7 |
1 |
3 |
2.2 |
0.8 |
70 |
+2 |
Match History
|
apps |
match |
match details |
comp |
res. |
rundown |
pos |
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