Date of Birth
14 Apr 1897
Birthplace
Plas Bennion
Nationality
Welsh
Signed for LFC
1916
LFC Debut
03 Apr 1920
LFC Appearances
9
LFC Goals
4
International Caps
3
Welsh striker Billy Matthews made his debut for Liverpool as a centre half in a 3-0 win over Derby County on 3rd April 1920.
"Big, burly and boisterous" Billy played as a forward in his other eight appearances for Liverpool. He had to wait until December 1920 before being called up again, and that appearance at Burnley was his only one of the 1920-21 season. After missing the opening fixture of the 1921-22 season, he was brought back for the next seven First Division matches, in which he scored four times. But the home game with Chelsea on the first day of October 1921 proved to be his last for the club.
Billy joined Bristol City 3rd Division South in March 1922 where he impressed in a side that won the division the following season. Billy wanted to move closer to his childhood home and joined Wrexham in November 1923, but drifted into non-league football two seasons later. He went back into League football with Barrow and joined Bradford Park Avenue in January 1926 where he tasted success again and gathered his third Welsh cap. He made 112 League appearances for Bradford Park Avenue and won Third Division North in 1928. Billy was a fitness fanatic and a keen cyclist into his nineties, who was known "Billy white hat" because of the distinctive headgear he wore.
Other Clubs:
Colwyn Bay (amateur) Bristol City, Wrexham, Northwich Victoria (amateur), Barrow, Bradford Park Avenue, Stockport, New Brighton, Chester; Oswestry Town, Witton Albion, Sandbach Ramblers, Colwyn Bay (2), Rossendale United (all five amateur)