William Smith (footballer, born 1886)

William Smith

Personal information
Full name	William Ernest Smith[1]
Date of birth	1886[1]
Place of birth	Lostock Hall, England[1]
Date of death	Unknown
Playing position	Forward
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
–	Darwen
–	Nelson
1908	Bradford City	3	(0)
1908–1909	Huddersfield Town
1909–1913	Stoke	128	(57)
1914	Preston North End	0	(0)
Total		131	(57)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.

William Ernest Smith (1886 – unknown) was an English footballer who played for Bradford City and Stoke.^[1]

Career

Smith started his football career at his local sides in Lancashire, Darwen and Nelson before joining Bradford City and Huddersfield Town.^[1] In 1909 he joined Stoke who at the time were playing in the Southern Football League after being liquidated in 1908 which forced the club to drop out of the Football League. He made a perfect start as he scored four goals on his debut in an 11–0 win against Merthyr Tydfil. He went on to be a prolific goal scorer for Stoke and scored 60 goals in 138 matches.^[1]

Career statistics

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		Birmingham Cup		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Bradford City	1908–09	First Division	3	0	0	0	—		3	0
	Total		3	0	0	0	—		3	0
Stoke[1]	1909–10	Southern League	37	18	6	1	3	2	46	21
	1910–11	Southern League	53	27	3	1	—		56	28
	1911–12	Southern League	29	9	1	1	—		30	10
	1912–13	Southern League	5	3	0	0	—		5	3
	1913–14	Southern League	4	0	0	0	—		4	0
	Total		128	57	10	3	3	2	141	62
Career Total			131	57	10	3	3	2	144	62

References

1. Matthews, Tony (1994). The Encyclopaedia of Stoke City. Lion Press. ISBN 0-9524151-0-0.