Bill Guttridge Explained

Bill Guttridge should not be confused with Bill Guthridge.

Bill Guttridge
Fullname:William Henry Guttridge
Birth Date:4 March 1931
Birth Place:Darlaston, England
Death Place:Walsall, England
Position:Left back
Youthclubs1:Metroshaft Works
Youthyears2:1947–1951
Youthclubs2:Wolverhampton Wanderers
Years1:1951–1954
Clubs1:Wolverhampton Wanderers
Caps1:6
Goals1:0
Years2:1954–1962
Clubs2:Walsall
Caps2:198
Goals2:0
Clubs3:Stourbridge
Years4:1962–1964
Clubs4:Macclesfield Town
Caps4:72
Goals4:0
Totalcaps:276
Totalgoals:0
Managerclubs1:Darlaston
Managerclubs2:Macclesfield Town

William Henry Guttridge (4 March 1931 – 6 April 2013) was an English professional football player and manager.

Career

Guttridge played as a left back for amateur side Metroshaft Works before joining First Division club Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1947.

Nicknamed 'Chopper', mostly played only reserve team games for Wolves, but did make seven first team appearances during his seven-year stay at Molineux, including during their title-winning campaign of 1953–54.[1] His competitive debut came on Christmas Day 1951 in a 3–3 draw at Aston Villa.[2]

Unable to break into Wolves' first team the full-back moved to Midlands neighbours Walsall in November 1954, where he made over 200 appearances - often as captain - during an eight-year spell.[3] A cartilage injury forced his playing retirement in 1962.[4]

After retiring as a player, he worked as a youth coach at Walsall as well as managing Darlaston and Macclesfield Town.[1] [5]

He died on 6 April 2013, at the age of 82, at Walsall Manor Hospital after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.[4] [5]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Matthews, Tony . The Wolves Who's Who . 2001 . Britespot . West Midlands . 1-904103-01-4 .
  2. Book: Matthews, Tony . Wolverhampton Wanderers: The Complete Record . 2008 . Breedon Books . Derby . 978-1-85983-632-3.
  3. Web site: Profile. Post War English & Scottish Football League A - Z Player's Transfer Database.
  4. Web site: Chopper Guttridge passes away. Bescot Banter. 8 April 2013.
  5. Web site: Ex-Walsall and Wolves player Bill Guttridge dies at age 82. 8 April 2013. Express and Star.