Billy Longden Explained

Billy Longden
Fullname:William Longden
Birth Place:Darfield, England
Death Date:1924 (aged 58)
Death Place:Doncaster, England
Position:Outside right / Right half
Years1:1890–1893
Clubs1:Northwich Victoria
Years2:1893–1896
Clubs2:Rotherham Town
Caps2:78
Goals2:3
Years3:1896–1902
Clubs3:Doncaster Rovers
Goals3:17

William Longden (1866 – 1924) was an English footballer who played as an outside right and right half for Doncaster Rovers and Rotherham Town at the turn of the 19th century.

After Division 2 side Rotherham Town went out of business at the end of the 1895−86 season, Longden moved to play for nearby Doncaster in the Midland League. He began for Doncaster playing outside right, his debut being away to Mexborough Town on 5 September 1896, and his first goal three weeks later at home to Ilkeston Town. That season Doncaster were Champions of the Midland League, Longden scoring 7 of their 77 goals.

He became the Rover's regular penalty taker as well as captain. He moved to play at right half towards the end of his career.

Doncaster returned to Division 2 in the 1901–02 season, with Longden making 31 appearances and scoring 2 goals during the season. He retired from football after the season, making his last appearance in the 2–1 victory over Leicester Fosse in which he broke his arm in a collision twenty minutes into the game.[1]

Honours

Champions: 1896−97, 1898−99
Runner up: 1900−01

Runner up: 1898−99

Notes and References

  1. News: Sheffield . The Sheffield Daily Telegraph . Doncaster Rovers v Leicester Fosse . 14 April 1902.