Billy Matthews (footballer, born 1883)
William Matthews (1882 – 29 April 1921), sometimes known as Billy Matthews or William Mathews,[1] was a Welsh professional football half back who played in non-league football for Chester and Rhyl.[1] He was capped by Wales twice, in 1905 versus Ireland and in 1908 versus England.[3]
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | William Matthews[1] | ||
Date of birth | 1882 | ||
Place of birth | Rhyl, Wales[1] | ||
Date of death | 29 April 1921 (aged 37–38)[1] | ||
Place of death | Christleton, England[2] | ||
Playing position(s) | Half back | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
–1904 | Rhyl | ||
1904–1906 | Chester | ||
1906–1907 | Rhyl | ||
1907–1919 | Chester | ||
National team | |||
1905–1908 | Wales | 2 | (0) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only |
Personal life
Matthews was son of William and Elizabeth Matthews of Rhyl, Flintshire.[2] He was married to Annie and had two children.[1] Prior to becoming a professional footballer, he worked as a labourer and as an electric engine driver.[1] In 1915, during the second year of the First World War, he enlisted in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, but ultimately served as a Shoeing Smith with the Royal Field Artillery.[1][2] In 1921, Matthews died of heart disease related to his war service and was buried in Christleton near Chester.[1][2]
Honours
Chester
- The Combination: 1908–09[1][4]
References
- "William "Billie" Matthews". www.christleton.org.uk. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
- "Casualty". www.cwgc.org. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
- "Billy Matthews". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
- "Football Club History Database – Chester{1}". fchd.info. Retrieved 21 September 2017.