William Biggers (16 October 1874 – 11 July 1935), known during his playing career as Billy Biggar, was an English professional footballer who made over 210 appearances as a goalkeeper in the Southern League for Watford.[1] In all competitions for the Hornets, he made 283 appearances and scored two penalties.[1] Earlier in his career, Biggar appeared in the Football League for Sheffield United.[2][3][4] He latterly made over 200 appearances in all competitions for non-League club Rochdale.[5] Biggar also acted as trainer at Rochdale and coached at Earlestown.[6]

Billy Biggar
Personal information
Full name William Biggers[1]
Date of birth 16 October 1874
Place of birth Mexborough, England
Date of death 11 July 1935(1935-07-11) (aged 60)[1]
Place of death Surrey, England[1]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Mexborough
0000–1900 Thurnscoe Victoria
1900 Birtley
1900–1901 Sheffield United 14 (0)
1902–1903 West Ham United 6 (0)
1903–1904 Fulham 6 (0)
1904–1910 Watford 217 (1)
1910–1913 Rochdale 100 (0)
1913 Brentford 0 (0)
1913–1917 Rochdale 63 (0)
1919–1920 Leyland Motors
1931 Earlestown
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career statistics

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Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
West Ham United 1902–03[7] Southern League First Division 8 0 0 0 8 0
Fulham 1903–04[8] Southern League First Division 6 0 3 0 9 0
Watford 1904–05[9] Southern League First Division 34 0 5 0 39 0
1905–06[10] Southern League First Division 33 0 3 0 36 0
1906–07[11] Southern League First Division 38 0 2 0 40 0
1907–08[12] Southern League First Division 38 0 1 0 39 0
1908–09[13] Southern League First Division 38 1 3 0 41 1
1909–10[14] Southern League First Division 36 0 3 0 4[a] 0 43 0
Total 217 1 17 0 4 0 238 1
Rochdale 1910–11[5] Lancashire Combination First Division 36 0 9 0 2[b] 0 47 0
1911–12[5] Lancashire Combination First Division 32 0 1 0 8[c] 0 41 0
1912–13[5] Central League 32 0 7 0 5[d] 0 44 0
Total 100 0 17 0 15 0 132 0
Rochdale 1913–14[5] Central League 36 0 1 0 4[e] 0 41 0
1914–15[5] Central League 27 0 5 0 8[f] 0 40 0
Total 163 0 23 0 27 0 213 0
Career total 394 1 43 0 31 0 468 1
  1. ^ Appearances in Southern Professional Charity Cup
  2. ^ Appearances in Lancashire Senior Cup
  3. ^ 6 appearances in Manchester Senior Cup, 1 appearance in Lancashire Combination play-offs, 1 appearance in Lancashire Senior Cup
  4. ^ 4 appearances in Manchester Senior Cup, 1 appearance in Lancashire Senior Cup
  5. ^ Appearances in Manchester Senior Cup
  6. ^ 5 appearances in Lancashire Senior Cup, 3 appearances in Manchester Senior Cup

Honours

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Rochdale

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Player: William Biggar". Watford Football Club Archive. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  2. ^ Joyce, Michael (2012). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: Tony Brown. p. 27. ISBN 978-1905891610.
  3. ^ "The Football Association – Season 1913–14 – Summary Of Professional Registrations". Sky is Blue – The Chesterfield FC history resource. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  4. ^ "The Football Association – Season 1914–15 – Summary Of Professional Registrations". Sky is Blue – The Chesterfield FC history resource. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Phillips, Steven (17 November 2001). Rochdale AFC: The Official History 1907–2001 (1st ed.). Yore Publications. ISBN 978-1-874427-09-4.
  6. ^ "Rochdale Football Club". "Play Up, Liverpool". 30 August 1916. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  7. ^ "William Biggar". www.westhamstats.info. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  8. ^ "Frederick Biggar". Fulhamweb. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  9. ^ "Season: 1904/1905". Watford Football Club Archive. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  10. ^ "Season: 1905/1906". Watford Football Club Archive. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  11. ^ "Season: 1906/1907". Watford Football Club Archive. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  12. ^ "Season: 1907/1908". Watford Football Club Archive. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  13. ^ "Season: 1908/1909". Watford Football Club Archive. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  14. ^ "Season: 1909/1910". Watford Football Club Archive. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  15. ^ Rochdale A.F.C. at the Football Club History Database