Billy Rogers (footballer)
Billy Rogers (1905–1936) was a Welsh international footballer. He was part of the Wales national football team, playing 2 matches. He played his first match on 25 October 1930 against Scotland and his last match on 22 November 1930 against England.[1][2]
![]() Billy Rogers, Welsh international footballer, before Scotland v Wales in 1930 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | William Rogers | ||
Date of birth | 1905 | ||
Place of birth | Summerhill, Wrexham, Wales | ||
Date of death | January 1936 | ||
Place of death | Penyffordd, Wrexham, Wales | ||
Position(s) | Right half | ||
Youth career | |||
1925–26 | Flint Town | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1926–1932 | Wrexham | 171 | (28) |
1932–1933 | Newport County | 21 | (3) |
1933 | Bristol Rovers | 0 | (0) |
1933–1934 | Leyton Orient | 3 | (0) |
Total | 195 | (31) | |
International career | |||
1930 | Wales | 2 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Career
He played 2 matches for the Wales national football team in the British Home Championship. He played his first match on 25 October 1930 against Scotland at Ibrox Stadium, drawing 1-1,[1] and his second on 22 November 1930 against England at Wrexham's Racecourse Stadium, losing 0-4.[2]
He had been previously picked for the FAW's uncapped tour of Canada in 1929.[3]
He started his career as an amateur at Flint Town FC. He signed professional terms with Wrexham in 1926, and played for them from 1926 until 1931. He was a member of the FAW Welsh Cup winning side of 1931.
He subsequently played for Newport County, Bristol Rovers, and Leyton Orient (then known as Clapton Orient). He left Clapton Orient for Bangor City, a non-league team, at the end of the 1933-34 season.[4]
Later life and death
He was unknowningly diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease in 1931, a terminal cancer, which contributed to his death in January 1936 from tuberculosis, aged 30.[5]
During the period from 1931 to 1934 he continued to play professionally unaware of his condition, with only his wife being informed. He left behind his wife, Gwennith, and a two month old son Billy.
Honours
- Wrexham
- Welsh Cup winner
- 1930–31
References
- "Scotland vs Wales, 25 October 1930". eu-football.info. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
- "Wales vs England, 22 November 1930". eu-football.info. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
- Morrison, Neil (4 January 2018). "The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
- Kaufman, Neil (2002). The Men Who Made Leyton Orient Football Club. The History Press. ISBN 0752424122.
- Stead, Phil (15 August 2013). "5". Red Dragons - The Story of Welsh Football. Y Lolfa. ISBN 9781847716187.
Wrexham's half-back Billy Rogers would die five years later of tuberculosis, aged thirty.