|
|
|
|
|
Full Name
|
William Henry Meredith
|
|
Date of Birth
|
30th July 1874
|
|
Place of Birth
|
Black Park, Wales
|
|
Position
|
Winger
|
|
Height
|
5ft 9
|
|
United debut
|
1/1/1907
vs Aston Villa (H)
|
.....
|
Meredith's United Record 1907-21
|
| |
Appearances
|
Goals
|
|
League
|
303
|
35
|
|
FA Cup
|
29
|
0
|
|
League Cup
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
|
Europe
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
|
Total
|
332
|
35
|
|
Meredith's International Record
1895-1922
|
48 Caps for
Wales - 11 Goals
1911 1st
Div League Championship
1909 F.A. Cup
1908 1st Div League Championship
|
Ryan Giggs is
often referred to as the "Welsh Wizard". His style of
taking on opposition defences and lightning sprints down
the wing resemble the classic wingers of football's
early days. However the first Manchester United Welsh
Wizard was dazzling on the wing almost 90 years before
Giggs and his name was Billy Meredith.
Meredith was a highly controversial player from an era
in which Manchester United first tasted success. It is
fair to say he was the Eric Cantona of the day but with
the playing style of Ryan Giggs or George Best. His
United career lasted from 1907-21( including war years).
His bursts of speed and mazy runs down the wing coupled
with his deadly crosses earned him the title the "Welsh
Wizard" and made him the undoubted star of the team and
a hero with fans. Meredith was also nicknamed "Old
Skinny" for his lean, slim, frame.
After playing for Northwich Victoria and Wrexham he
signed for Manchester City in 1894 and quickly made a
name for himself. At City he won the Second Division
title twice in 1899 and 1903 and captained the team to
an F.A. Cup Final victory in 1904. It seemed he could do
no wrong but in 1905 a bribery scandal erupted - the FA
accused him of bribing an Aston Villa player. Meredith
denied the charge but the Football Association banned
him and the entire City team for a year. Eventually the
ban was quashed and Meredith stunned the English
football world by signing for City's rapidly emerging
cross town rivals - Manchester United |
Under the management of Ernest Mangall, one of the
club's great managers, Meredith was instrumental in
helping United to glory. He won two League Championship
medals in 1908 and 1911, and an FA Cup winners' medal in
1909. When English footballers formed a players Union in
1907 many players were forced to leave it by the
disapproving FA but Meredith refused to follow and stuck
to his principles. Meredith, alongside United half-back
Charlie Roberts, was a central figure in the Union's
formation and joined "The Outcasts FC", a group of
United players who wouldn't adhere to the FA rule.
Eventually he was successful when the FA caved in 1910
and allowed the Union to exist - it was a sweet victory
for Meredith and his fellow dissenters.
World War One broke up the fine United side in 1915, and
he was unable to recapture his former heights on his
return after the war. Surprisingly Meredith returned to
Man City in 1921 to finish his career. He went on to
become the oldest international of all-time when he
played for Wales at the extraordinary age of 48 and
played in an FA Cup semi-final at the age of 49. No
footage exists of Meredith in action, merely newspaper
accounts and reports. His name is rarely mentioned today
but when you analyse his football career there can be no
doubt he was one of the true giants of his day and has a
deserved place in the hall of legends. |
|
|
|
|
Back to United Legends
Back
to Main Page
All pictures in the
profiles can be enlarged by clicking on the smaller version.
Stats do not include friendlies, Charity Shield or World Club tournaments.
Number in brackets ( ) represents appearances as substitute in addition to
starting appearances.
This information is kindly taken from
McCleery's
Manchester United Zone
|
|
