Signing Info:
Transferred from: Stockport County, 08/1901, £15
Previous Clubs:
Stockport County, Manchester City, Stockport County
Debut:
14/09/1901 v Middlesbrough (A) 0-5 (League Division Two)
Farewell:
Transferred to ?, 06/1902, £
Passed Away:
PA
Biography
William Smith went by "Billy" all the time until he arrived at Manchester City in 1897. On their books was his namesake who, being from Buxton, had to go by "Buxton Smith" henceforth. As for Billy, he had to answer to "Stockport Smith" for the rest of his career, what with that being his previous club!
Smith had played for Stockport County when they still competed in the Lancashire League, his first year being 1895-96. It was a good year - he finished top scorer with 12 goals in 23 games. The following year he obtained 11 goals in as many matches, which yielded him a spot at the coveted inside-right position at Manchester City: Billy Meredith's wing partner.
The very clever and energetic Smith led City's scoring charts in 1897-98 with 12 league goals then helped them win the Division Two title in 1899. He also bagged two Healey Cup winners' medals in those two seasons, the first of which was facilitated by him notching a brace in the final against Newton Heath. In 1900, however, "Stockport" returned to Stockport, who had just become a Football League unit, and he naturally scored in their inaugural fixture against Leicester Fosse on September 1st.
After a season operating in County's half-back line, Smith moved to Newton Heath, but only after talking his previous employers into reducing the transfer fee to the £15 that the Heathens could afford. At Bank Street, Billy struggled in a struggling team. His debut came in a 0-5 thrashing at Middlesbrough and he only got two goals all season, the first of which came against Stockport, of all people. However, Billy at least showed his commitment to the club when all the players' contracts were terminated in January 1902. He nailed his colours to the Board-less club's mast and then re-signed with them on March 19th when Mr. JH Davies ushered in the new regime.
That said, Smith was not kept on with the conversion into Manchester United. He was next spotted with Berry's FC whom he helped win both the Manchester League and Manchester Junior Cup in 1904. Billy was fondly remembered by the Bank Street management who called him up for a novelty benefit match on August 29th, 1908: old Newton Heath players versus Manchester United Reserves! Smith played alongside old legends like Stafford, Powell and the Doughtys to raise £181 for the Wigan disaster fund. Biography kindly provided by Charbel Boujaoude.
