Billy Bairstow Explained

Billy Bairstow
Fullname:William Bairstow
Birth Place:Sheffield, England
Death Place:Barnsley, England
Position:Inside right / Inside left
Clubs1:Engineer Wanderers
Years2:1889–1890
Clubs2:Sheffield Club
Years3:1890–1892
Clubs3:Sheffield United
Caps3:14
Goals3:3
Years4:1892–1893
Clubs4:Penistone
Years5:1893–1895
Clubs5:Barnsley St. Peter's

William Bairstow was an English footballer who played for Sheffield United and Barnsley St. Peter's as an inside right or inside left.[1] Born in Sheffield Bairstow had been playing for Sheffield Club when he was signed by newly formed Sheffield United in March 1890. He spent just over two years at Bramall Lane but as the team became more successful his appearances were limited to the large number of friendlies that the club still played at that time.

Bairstow was eventually released and played for local side Penistone before joining Barnsley St. Peter's for whom he was a regular and made his FA Cup debut. He was later reported to have died in Barnsley of typhoid.

There appears to have been some confusion over Bairstow's family name as in early match reports the local press would often use a variety of spellings including Bairstoe, Bairsto, Baisto, Bastoe and Bastow.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Denis Clarebrough & Andrew Kirkham. Sheffield United Who's Who. Hallamshire Press. 2008. 39. 978-1-874718-69-7.