Billy Lot Jones
Encyclopedia
William "Lot" Jones also known as Billy Lot Jones, was a Welsh
footballer who played as a forward.
Born in the Chirk
, Denbighshire
, a mining town in North Wales, Jones was one of several footballers to emerge from the area around the start of the 20th century, along with Billy Meredith
and George Wynn
. He signed for Manchester City
in January 1903 from Rushton Druids, but did not establish himself immediately. He made only a single appearance in his first full season, scoring a goal in a 2–1 defeat to West Bromwich Albion
in April 1904, and by the time he received his next opportunity he had been at the club for two years. From January 1905 until the end of the 1905–06 season Jones played in around half of his club's matches.
In the 1906 close season a financial scandal engulfed the club, resulting in the suspension of 17 senior players and several club officials, none of whom were permitted to play for the club once their suspensions ended. Jones was not implicated in the scandal, but with few experienced team-mates remaining, his team plunged from title contenders to relegation candidates. The first match after the suspensions was particularly eventful. Manchester City fielded five debutants against Woolwich Arsenal
, in a match played in stifling heat. The conditions caused several City men to collapse, and by half time only eight remained. Arsenal eased to a 4–1 win. By the final whistle Jones was one of only six Manchester City players left. The following match was a club record 9–1 defeat at Everton
, though over the course of the season enough points were gained to secure First Division survival. By now Jones was a first team regular. In 1906–07 he scored 11 goals in 27 league matches. Playing at inside-left, Jones formed a lasting left sided partnership with Jimmy Conlin
, backed up by Jimmy Blair at left-half.
During a successful 1907–08 season in which Manchester City equalled their previous best of third in the league, Jones was given a benefit match. Middlesbrough
provided the opposition, and Jones received £835 after expenses. The following season Manchester City were relegated to the Second Division, though with Jones as captain they made an immediate return, winning the Second Division championship in 1910. This made Jones the second City captain (after Billy Meredith
) to win a trophy. He continued to play for Manchester City until competitive football ceased due to the First World War
. When League football resumed in 1919, Jones was transferred to Southend United
.
In total he played for Manchester City 301 times, and scored 76 goals between 1903 and 1914. He also won 20 caps and scored six goals for the Wales national football team
.
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
footballer who played as a forward.
Born in the Chirk
Chirk
Chirk is a small town and local government community, the lowest tier of local government, part of Wrexham County Borough in Wales. It has a population of over 4,000....
, Denbighshire
Denbighshire
Denbighshire is a county in north-east Wales. It is named after the historic county of Denbighshire, but has substantially different borders. Denbighshire has the distinction of being the oldest inhabited part of Wales. Pontnewydd Palaeolithic site has remains of Neanderthals from 225,000 years...
, a mining town in North Wales, Jones was one of several footballers to emerge from the area around the start of the 20th century, along with Billy Meredith
Billy Meredith
William Henry "Billy" Meredith was a Welsh footballer. He was considered one of the early superstars of football due to his performances, notably for Manchester City and Manchester United. He won each domestic trophy in the English football league and also gained 48 caps for Wales, for whom he...
and George Wynn
George Wynn
George Arthur Wynn was a Welsh professional footballer who played as a forward for Oswestry United, Wrexham, Manchester City, Coventry City and Halifax Town. He also won 12 caps for Wales. He had a record of being a very astute finisher in and around the box...
. He signed for Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
in January 1903 from Rushton Druids, but did not establish himself immediately. He made only a single appearance in his first full season, scoring a goal in a 2–1 defeat to West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
in April 1904, and by the time he received his next opportunity he had been at the club for two years. From January 1905 until the end of the 1905–06 season Jones played in around half of his club's matches.
In the 1906 close season a financial scandal engulfed the club, resulting in the suspension of 17 senior players and several club officials, none of whom were permitted to play for the club once their suspensions ended. Jones was not implicated in the scandal, but with few experienced team-mates remaining, his team plunged from title contenders to relegation candidates. The first match after the suspensions was particularly eventful. Manchester City fielded five debutants against Woolwich Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
, in a match played in stifling heat. The conditions caused several City men to collapse, and by half time only eight remained. Arsenal eased to a 4–1 win. By the final whistle Jones was one of only six Manchester City players left. The following match was a club record 9–1 defeat at Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
, though over the course of the season enough points were gained to secure First Division survival. By now Jones was a first team regular. In 1906–07 he scored 11 goals in 27 league matches. Playing at inside-left, Jones formed a lasting left sided partnership with Jimmy Conlin
Jimmy Conlin
Jimmy Conlin was an American character actor who appeared in almost 150 films in his 32 year career.-Career:...
, backed up by Jimmy Blair at left-half.
During a successful 1907–08 season in which Manchester City equalled their previous best of third in the league, Jones was given a benefit match. Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
provided the opposition, and Jones received £835 after expenses. The following season Manchester City were relegated to the Second Division, though with Jones as captain they made an immediate return, winning the Second Division championship in 1910. This made Jones the second City captain (after Billy Meredith
Billy Meredith
William Henry "Billy" Meredith was a Welsh footballer. He was considered one of the early superstars of football due to his performances, notably for Manchester City and Manchester United. He won each domestic trophy in the English football league and also gained 48 caps for Wales, for whom he...
) to win a trophy. He continued to play for Manchester City until competitive football ceased due to the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. When League football resumed in 1919, Jones was transferred to Southend United
Southend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
.
In total he played for Manchester City 301 times, and scored 76 goals between 1903 and 1914. He also won 20 caps and scored six goals for the Wales national football team
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
.