Wright, Bill
Birth Date
24th September 1892
Birthplace
Seaforth near Liverpool
Occupation
Forward
Biographical Text
Merseyside-born Bill Wright scored Exeter City's first-ever Football League goal when he played in the club's opening fixture in the new third division against Brentford in August 1920. Starting his career with Everton he had also appeared for Tranmere Rovers and, soon moving on from St James' Park, joined high-flying Huddersfield Town for a sizable fee before later playing for Mid Rhondda United.
Having played for Wirral club Egremont, Bill featured in two league matches for Everton in 1914, prior to the outbreak of the First World War. Serving in the merchant navy, and subsequently appearing for Tranmere Rovers, he signed for Exeter City on a free transfer for the start of the 1920/21 season. He made his debut in the Grecians’ first ever Football League match - a 3-0 home win over Brentford on 28 August 1920 - and had the distinction of scoring the club’s first ever league goal.
Scoring nine times in seventeen games led to other clubs showing an interest in securing Bill's services and, after making a final appearance against Northampton Town on 11 December 1920, he was transferred to Huddersfield Town for the substantial fee of £2,600 with Robert Shields moving to Exeter in the opposite direction.
Bill only played 9 league matches for Huddersfield (scoring 4 goals) and by the following season was playing for Mid Rhondda United.
Bill died in 1945 at the age of 53.
Having played for Wirral club Egremont, Bill featured in two league matches for Everton in 1914, prior to the outbreak of the First World War. Serving in the merchant navy, and subsequently appearing for Tranmere Rovers, he signed for Exeter City on a free transfer for the start of the 1920/21 season. He made his debut in the Grecians’ first ever Football League match - a 3-0 home win over Brentford on 28 August 1920 - and had the distinction of scoring the club’s first ever league goal.
Scoring nine times in seventeen games led to other clubs showing an interest in securing Bill's services and, after making a final appearance against Northampton Town on 11 December 1920, he was transferred to Huddersfield Town for the substantial fee of £2,600 with Robert Shields moving to Exeter in the opposite direction.
Bill only played 9 league matches for Huddersfield (scoring 4 goals) and by the following season was playing for Mid Rhondda United.
Bill died in 1945 at the age of 53.
Appearances
17
Goals
9
Collection
Files
Comments
Michael West
William does at home in Liverpool on the 15th June 1945 from cirossis of the liver. He was cremated at Liverpool crematorium. Was a marine engineer at time of death.