Billy Beats
Encyclopedia
William Edwin "Billy" Beats (13 November 1871 – 6 April 1936) was an English
international footballer from Wolstanton
in Staffordshire
.
in the autumn
of 1891. He made his debut in a Midland League match on 10 October 1891, in a 4–1 defeat at Burton Wanderers
. A regular in the team from March 1892, with twenty goals in the 1893–94 season
he became the club's top scorer, a season he was an ever-present in. In June 1895 he was sold to Wolverhampton Wanderers
for £80, for whom he played in the 1896 FA Cup Final. After moving to Bristol Rovers
in 1903, Beats won the 1904–05 Southern League
championship. In August 1906 he returned to the Vale and scored fifteen goals in the 1906–07
to become top scorer once more. However he was released at the end of the season as the club were liquidated in a financial crisis. He then joined Reading
.
in 1901 and 1902 while a player at Wolves. He also played for England against Scotland
in the "Ibrox disaster" match at Ibrox Stadium
that was abandoned in May 1902 due to the collapse of a terrace, resulting in the deaths of 25 people.
Bristol Rovers
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
international footballer from Wolstanton
Wolstanton
Wolstanton is a suburban area on the outskirts of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire.-History:Historically, Wolstanton was a place in its own right. It is mentioned in the Domesday book where it is listed amongst the lands belonging to the King. The land consisted of work for 2 ploughs, 14...
in Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
.
Club career
Beats probably joined Burslem Port ValePort Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
in the autumn
Autumn
Autumn is one of the four temperate seasons. Autumn marks the transition from summer into winter usually in September or March when the arrival of night becomes noticeably earlier....
of 1891. He made his debut in a Midland League match on 10 October 1891, in a 4–1 defeat at Burton Wanderers
Burton Wanderers F.C.
Burton Wanderers were a football club from Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, England that spent three seasons in The Football League. In 1901, the club merged with Burton Swifts and formed a new club, Burton United.-History:...
. A regular in the team from March 1892, with twenty goals in the 1893–94 season
1893–94 Burslem Port Vale F.C. season
The 1893–94 season was Burslem Port Vale's second consecutive season of football in the Football League. Winning their opening seven league games, Vale seemed destined for First Division football, however they won just six of their final 22 games and ended up in mid-table...
he became the club's top scorer, a season he was an ever-present in. In June 1895 he was sold to Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
for £80, for whom he played in the 1896 FA Cup Final. After moving to Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
in 1903, Beats won the 1904–05 Southern League
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
championship. In August 1906 he returned to the Vale and scored fifteen goals in the 1906–07
1906–07 Burslem Port Vale F.C. season
The 1906–07 season was Burslem Port Vale's ninth consecutive season of football in the Football League. The club resigned from the league on 14 June 1907....
to become top scorer once more. However he was released at the end of the season as the club were liquidated in a financial crisis. He then joined Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
.
International career
Beats won two caps for EnglandEngland national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
in 1901 and 1902 while a player at Wolves. He also played for England against Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
in the "Ibrox disaster" match at Ibrox Stadium
Ibrox Stadium
Ibrox Stadium is a football stadium located on the south side of the River Clyde, on Edmiston Drive in the Ibrox district of Glasgow. It is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Rangers and has an all-seated capacity of 51,082...
that was abandoned in May 1902 due to the collapse of a terrace, resulting in the deaths of 25 people.
Honours
Wolverhampton WanderersWolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
- FA CupFA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
finalist: 1896
Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
- Southern LeagueSouthern Football LeagueThe Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
championship: 1904–05
External links
- William Beats player profile at thefa.com