Walter Wadsworth
Encyclopedia
Walter Wadsworth was a footballer who played for Liverpool
in the early part of the 20th century.
, Liverpool
, Merseyside
, England
, local lad Wadsworth played for Lingdale and Ormskirk before being signed, as an amateur, by Liverpool manager Tom Watson
, on the 23 April 1912, he was to make his debut on the 20 March 1915 in a First Division
fixture at Ayresome Park
against Middlesbrough
, the game ended badly for the Reds as they slumped to a heavy 3-0 defeat. He didn't manage to score his first Liverpool goal until 28 August 1920, this was mainly due to the First World War, it came in a match at Anfield
against Man City
, more happily for Wadsworth, Liverpool won the match 4-2.
Although the Great War interrupted Wadsworth's career, the uncompromising centre-half did play for Liverpool during this spell in the Lancashire tournament that was set up along with the other 3 regional tournaments. Upon returning to Liverpool after the conclusion of the war, Walter had a strong season playing in 33 of Liverpool's league fixtures, he was joined during this spell by his brother Harold, unfortunately, Harold never had the same impact on the club that Walter had and only made just over 50 sporadic appearances in five years.
Walter was a major player in the back-to-back championship winning seasons, missing just 10 of the 84 leagues games available. He remained a stalwart of the side for the next two campaigns but towards the end of the 1924–25 season, David Pratt
replaced him in the starting line-up. He would subsequently make only four appearances during the following season which turned out to be his last as he was allowed to leave for Bristol City
on the 14 May 1926.
Before finally retiring Wadsworth went on to represent Flint Town
, New Brighton
and Oswestry Town
.
†Wadsworth career was interrupted for 4 years due to the 1914/18 war.
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
in the early part of the 20th century.
Life and playing career
Born in BootleBootle
Bootle is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton in Merseyside, England, and a 'Post town' in the L postcode area. Formally known as Bootle-cum-Linacre, the town is 4 miles to the north of Liverpool city centre, and has a total resident population of 77,640.Historically part of...
, Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, Merseyside
Merseyside
Merseyside is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 1,365,900. It encompasses the metropolitan area centred on both banks of the lower reaches of the Mersey Estuary, and comprises five metropolitan boroughs: Knowsley, St Helens, Sefton, Wirral, and the city of Liverpool...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, local lad Wadsworth played for Lingdale and Ormskirk before being signed, as an amateur, by Liverpool manager Tom Watson
Tom Watson (football)
Tom Watson was an English football manager who managed Sunderland A.F.C. and Liverpool F.C. around the turn of the 20th century....
, on the 23 April 1912, he was to make his debut on the 20 March 1915 in a First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
fixture at Ayresome Park
Ayresome Park
-External links:**-References:...
against 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...
, the game ended badly for the Reds as they slumped to a heavy 3-0 defeat. He didn't manage to score his first Liverpool goal until 28 August 1920, this was mainly due to the First World War, it came in a match at Anfield
Anfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
against Man 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...
, more happily for Wadsworth, Liverpool won the match 4-2.
Although the Great War interrupted Wadsworth's career, the uncompromising centre-half did play for Liverpool during this spell in the Lancashire tournament that was set up along with the other 3 regional tournaments. Upon returning to Liverpool after the conclusion of the war, Walter had a strong season playing in 33 of Liverpool's league fixtures, he was joined during this spell by his brother Harold, unfortunately, Harold never had the same impact on the club that Walter had and only made just over 50 sporadic appearances in five years.
Walter was a major player in the back-to-back championship winning seasons, missing just 10 of the 84 leagues games available. He remained a stalwart of the side for the next two campaigns but towards the end of the 1924–25 season, David Pratt
David Pratt
David Pratt may refer to:*David Pratt , Canadian politician*David Pratt , Canadian sports radio personality and columnist*David Pratt , English cricketer...
replaced him in the starting line-up. He would subsequently make only four appearances during the following season which turned out to be his last as he was allowed to leave for Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
on the 14 May 1926.
Before finally retiring Wadsworth went on to represent Flint Town
Flint Town United F.C.
Flint Town United FC is a Welsh football club representing the Flintshire town of Flint in Wales. They are nicknamed the The Silkmen, and play their home games at Cae-y-Castell, Flint...
, New Brighton
New Brighton A.F.C.
-Revived club:New Brighton A.F.C. were reborn in 1993, and joined the Birkenhead and Wirral League, which they won in their first season. In 1995 the club switched to the South Wirral League. After upgrading their new ground, the club were admitted to the Second Division of the West Cheshire League...
and Oswestry Town
Oswestry Town F.C.
Oswestry Town F.C. was a football club, formerly playing in the League of Wales.The club was founded as Oswestry United in 1860, which meant they were one of the world's oldest football clubs. Matches were latterly played at Park Hall stadium, Oswestry, after a spell at Victoria Road...
.
Career details
- Liverpool F.C (1912 - 1926)† 241 appearances, 8 goals - Two First Division Championships winners medals (1922 and 1923)
†Wadsworth career was interrupted for 4 years due to the 1914/18 war.