BILLY BASSETT
'William Isiah Bassett' (January 27, 1869 - April 8, 1937) was an English association footballer.
Born in West Bromwich, at only 5 foot 5 inch (1.65 m), Bassett was initially considered too frail for a professional player. Establishing himself as a winger in various local amateur sides, he joined West Bromwich Albion F.C. in 1886. He played 261 games for the club, scoring 61 goals and winning 16 England caps (scoring 8 goals), becoming one of the game's earliest celebrities. On 28 April, 1894, Bassett became the first ever Albion player to be sent off: he was dismissed for using "unparliamentary language" in a friendly match away at Millwall.[1]
He retired from playing in 1899, becoming a director of the club in 1905 and chairman from 1908 until his death. His activities in the wider footballing world let him to take an active role in the development of both the Football Association and the Football League.
Over 100,000 people lined the streets of West Bromwich for his funeral procession.
★ England profile
1. Albion! A Complete Record of West Bromwich Albion 1879-1987, , Tony, Matthews, Breedon Books, ,
Born in West Bromwich, at only 5 foot 5 inch (1.65 m), Bassett was initially considered too frail for a professional player. Establishing himself as a winger in various local amateur sides, he joined West Bromwich Albion F.C. in 1886. He played 261 games for the club, scoring 61 goals and winning 16 England caps (scoring 8 goals), becoming one of the game's earliest celebrities. On 28 April, 1894, Bassett became the first ever Albion player to be sent off: he was dismissed for using "unparliamentary language" in a friendly match away at Millwall.[1]
He retired from playing in 1899, becoming a director of the club in 1905 and chairman from 1908 until his death. His activities in the wider footballing world let him to take an active role in the development of both the Football Association and the Football League.
Over 100,000 people lined the streets of West Bromwich for his funeral procession.
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| References |
References
★ England profile
1. Albion! A Complete Record of West Bromwich Albion 1879-1987, , Tony, Matthews, Breedon Books, ,
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