Billy Bassett | |
Fullname: | William Edward George Bassett |
Birth Date: | 8 June 1912 |
Birth Place: | Brithdir, Caerphilly, Wales |
Death Place: | Pwllheli, Caernarvonshire, Wales[1] |
Height: | 6 ft 0+1/2 in[2] |
Position: | Defender |
Years1: | ?–1933 |
Years2: | 1933–1934 |
Years3: | 1934–1938 |
Years4: | 1938–1949 |
Years5: | 1949–? |
Clubs1: | Aberaman Athletic |
Clubs2: | Wolverhampton Wanderers |
Clubs3: | Cardiff City |
Clubs4: | Crystal Palace |
Clubs5: | Porthmadog |
Caps2: | 0 |
Caps3: | 154 |
Caps4: | 70 |
Goals2: | 0 |
Goals3: | 2 |
Goals4: | 0 |
William Edward George Bassett (8 June 1912 – 1977) was a Welsh professional footballer. During his career, he made over 200 appearances in the Football League in spells with Cardiff City and Crystal Palace.
Bassett began his career at Aberaman Athletic before moving on to Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1933. He only spent a single season at Wolves, without making a first-team appearance, before returning to Wales and signing for manager Ben Watts-Jones at Cardiff City. He made his debut on the opening day of the 1934–35 season during a 2–1 victory over Charlton Athletic and was a virtual ever-present in his four years, scoring two goals for the Bluebirds, against Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic and Bristol City.
He joined Crystal Palace in 1938 but the outbreak of World War II interrupted his spell at the London side and he served in the Welsh Guards during the hostilities. He finished his league career after three years with the club and took over as player-manager of Porthmadog.[3]