Billy Watson
Posted on: Tue 05 Jun 2007
Billy Watson was the first member of the FA Cup winning side of 1914 to establish himself in Burnley's first team and played more than any other member of either cup team or League Championship side of 1921. Watson was born in Birkdale, Southport in 1890 and was spotted playing junior football, signing for his hometown club Southport Central in 1907.
It was not long before his mature play attracted the attention of League clubs and Burnley were quickest off the mark, securing his signature in March 1909. It took him some time to make the left half position his own, but when he did, his consistency over a decade and a half contributed enormously to his club's success and brought him international honours.
He won the first of the three England caps in a 1-0 win against Scotland at Stamford Bridge in April 1913. His third and final international appearance was not until 1919 and but not for the introversion of the war, he would undoubtedly have graced the England scene much more often, although he did appear five times for the Football League.
After the war, Billy Watson carried on performing with his unusual level of skill and effectiveness. His consistency was unequalled and he was the only ever present in the Championship side of 1920-21. He retired from League football in 1925 and moved to Accrington as a coach and then to Blackburn also coaching, but in addition, captaining Rovers' A team in 1927. In later life he went into business as an ironmonger, then as a painter and decorator. He subsequently retuned to Southport and entered politics as a local councillor.
Billy Watson died in his hometown on 1st September 1955. He will always be remembered as a courteous man, a modest player who was a model of consistency and a member of what is arguably one of the greatest halfback lines of all time- Halley, Boyle and Watson.
It was not long before his mature play attracted the attention of League clubs and Burnley were quickest off the mark, securing his signature in March 1909. It took him some time to make the left half position his own, but when he did, his consistency over a decade and a half contributed enormously to his club's success and brought him international honours.
He won the first of the three England caps in a 1-0 win against Scotland at Stamford Bridge in April 1913. His third and final international appearance was not until 1919 and but not for the introversion of the war, he would undoubtedly have graced the England scene much more often, although he did appear five times for the Football League.
After the war, Billy Watson carried on performing with his unusual level of skill and effectiveness. His consistency was unequalled and he was the only ever present in the Championship side of 1920-21. He retired from League football in 1925 and moved to Accrington as a coach and then to Blackburn also coaching, but in addition, captaining Rovers' A team in 1927. In later life he went into business as an ironmonger, then as a painter and decorator. He subsequently retuned to Southport and entered politics as a local councillor.
Billy Watson died in his hometown on 1st September 1955. He will always be remembered as a courteous man, a modest player who was a model of consistency and a member of what is arguably one of the greatest halfback lines of all time- Halley, Boyle and Watson.
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