Billy Wedlock Explained

Billy Wedlock
Upright:0.8
Full Name:William John Wedlock
Birth Date:1880 10, df=y
Birth Place:Bristol, England
Death Place:Bristol, England
Height:5 ft 5 in[1]
Position:Centre half
Years1:1905–1921
Clubs1:Bristol City
Caps1:403
Goals1:17
Nationalyears1:1907–1914
Nationalteam1:England
Nationalcaps1:26
Nationalgoals1:2

William John Wedlock (28 October 1880 – 25 January 1965), also known as "Fatty" or the "India Rubber Man", was an English footballer who played for Bristol City in 1900–01 and from 1905 until his retirement in 1921. Between 1901 and 1905 he played for Aberdare.[2] He was a centre-half whose his short and stout stature belied his natural talent. He won 26 England caps between 1907 and 1914, his only rival for the centre-half position being Charlie Roberts of Manchester United, his opposite number in the 1909 FA Cup Final. The East End at Ashton Gate Stadium was named the Wedlock Stand in his honour, before being demolished in 2014 as part of the Ashton Gate Stadium redevelopment. Wedlock's pub (now demolished) opposite the ground was where he lived and worked for 43 years.[3] [4] Folk singer Fred Wedlock was Billy's grandson.[5]

Honours

Bristol City

1905–06

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: The coming of the big ball: the Second Division: Bristol City . Athletic News . Manchester . 18 August 1913 . 5 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription.
  2. Athletic News 24 December 1906
  3. Web site: Wedlock's: Never more vulnerable than when you've just scored. Bristol City Supporter's Trust. 1 January 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20081013114832/http://www.bristolcityst.org.uk/trust_news/article000306.shtml. 13 October 2008. dead.
  4. Web site: Football fans fight to save pub . BBC. 1 January 2009 . 30 April 2007.
  5. Web site: Famous Bristol Musicians - Fred Wedlock. Kathryn Courtney-O'Neill. Bristol Rocks. 1 January 2009.