William Smith (footballer, born 1886)

William Edward Smith (1886–1956) was an English footballer who played for Bradford City and Stoke.[1]

William Smith
Personal information
Full name William Ernest Smith[1]
Date of birth 1886[1]
Place of birth Lostock Hall, England[1]
Position(s) Forward
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Darwen
Nelson
1908 Bradford City 3 (0)
1908–1909 Huddersfield Town
1909–1913 Stoke 128 (57)
1914 Preston North End 0 (0)
Total 131 (57)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

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Smith started his football career at his local sides in Lancashire, Darwen and Nelson before joining Bradford City and Huddersfield Town.[1] In 1909 he joined Stoke who at the time were playing in the Southern Football League after being liquidated in 1908 which forced the club to drop out of the Football League. He made a perfect start as he scored four goals on his debut in an 11–0 win against Merthyr Tydfil. He went on to be a prolific goal scorer for Stoke and scored 60 goals in 138 matches.[1]

Career statistics

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Club Season League FA Cup Birmingham Cup Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Bradford City 1908–09 First Division 3 0 0 0 3 0
Stoke[1] 1909–10 Birmingham & District League / Southern League Division Two 37 18 6 1 3 2 46 21
1910–11 Birmingham & District League / Southern League Division Two 53 27 3 1 56 28
1911–12 Southern League Division One 29 9 1 1 30 10
1912–13 Southern League Division One 5 3 0 0 5 3
1913–14 Southern League Division Two 4 0 0 0 4 0
Total 128 57 10 3 3 2 141 62
Career Total 131 57 10 3 3 2 144 62

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Matthews, Tony (1994). The Encyclopaedia of Stoke City. Lion Press. ISBN 0-9524151-0-0.