Owen, William (Bill)
Birth Date
30th June 1914
Birthplace
Llanfairfechan, Caernarvonshire
Occupation
Half-Back
Biographical Text
William (Bill) Owen played for Exeter City during 1946/47 having signed from Newport County. Remembered for a Christmas Day hat-trick at Brighton, he left St James’ Park at the end of his only season and, after playing for Dartmouth United, returned to South Wales. He started his professional career with Manchester City.
Owen was denied a lot of his footballing career by the Second World War, which put a halt to proceedings. However, his Football League debut came with Manchester City, whom he signed for in June 1934 from Northwich Victoria. He made nine league outings for the Maine Road club, scoring three goals, then being transferred to Tranmere Rovers in March 1936. Although he only played six league matches for them, he netted four goals. In June 1936, Owen joined Newport County and he continued to be registered with them as a player throughout the War, making a total of 69 appearances and scoring five goals. He served with the National Fire Service during the War and played for the service in representative matches.
He signed for Exeter City, at the age of 34, in October 1946 and made his debut in a 4-0 defeat at Reading. Although he only stayed one season he memorably scored a hat-trick against Brighton and Hove Albion on Christmas Day 1946 when City won 6-1.
Leaving Exeter at the end of the 1946-47 season, a player-exchange move to Cardiff City broke down and he had a season with Dartmouth United before returning to live in South Wales and taking a job with Bowaters in Newport. Living in Caerleon near Newport he died in 1976.
Owen was denied a lot of his footballing career by the Second World War, which put a halt to proceedings. However, his Football League debut came with Manchester City, whom he signed for in June 1934 from Northwich Victoria. He made nine league outings for the Maine Road club, scoring three goals, then being transferred to Tranmere Rovers in March 1936. Although he only played six league matches for them, he netted four goals. In June 1936, Owen joined Newport County and he continued to be registered with them as a player throughout the War, making a total of 69 appearances and scoring five goals. He served with the National Fire Service during the War and played for the service in representative matches.
He signed for Exeter City, at the age of 34, in October 1946 and made his debut in a 4-0 defeat at Reading. Although he only stayed one season he memorably scored a hat-trick against Brighton and Hove Albion on Christmas Day 1946 when City won 6-1.
Leaving Exeter at the end of the 1946-47 season, a player-exchange move to Cardiff City broke down and he had a season with Dartmouth United before returning to live in South Wales and taking a job with Bowaters in Newport. Living in Caerleon near Newport he died in 1976.
Appearances
20
Goals
9
Collection
Files
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