Bill Seddon
Encyclopedia
William Charles "Bill" Seddon (28 July 1901 — January 1993) was an English
football
er.
Born in Clapton, London
, he played junior football in London before joining Gillingham
as an amateur, and had an unsuccessful trial with Aston Villa
before joining Arsenal
in December 1924. Seddon played as a half back
and was mainly a second-string player, he played over 200 Football Combination
matches for Arsenal Reserves
, eventually rising to captain as the side won five Combination titles in the 1920s.
During the 1920s, Seddon played sparingly for the Arsenal first team, making his debut when deputising for Alf Baker
in a 2-1 defeat against Sunderland
on April 10, 1926. That was his only appearance of 1925-26
, but edged his way into the first team with 17 appearances in 1926-27
. However, he did not make the cut for the 1927 FA Cup Final, and with Arsenal's strong half-back line of Alf Baker, Jack Butler
and Bob John
. Seddon only played four times in 1927-28
and not at all in 1928-29
.
However, in 1929-30
he was reintroduced into the Arsenal side, alternating with Baker at right half, until centre half Herbie Roberts
was injured against West Ham United
. Seddon moved into defence and not only played the last twelve games of that season, but started the 1930 FA Cup Final
, in which Arsenal beat Huddersfield Town
2-0 to win their first major trophy.
Seddon continued to play for Arsenal, appearing 18 times in 1930-31
and winning a League Championship
medal as Arsenal won their first ever league title. By this time he had reverted to right half, but the move of Charlie Jones to right half ousted him from the side and he only made five appearances in 1931-32
. He eventually left the club in March 1932, moving to Grimsby Town
for £2,500. In total he played 76 matches for Arsenal, though he never scored a goal.
He spent two seasons with Grimsby before a single season with Luton Town
. He retired from playing in 1934. He later worked as a trainer
for Notts County
and Romford
. During World War II
he served in Africa
with the British Army
, and returned to Romford after the war to become their groundsman. In 1967, Arsenal and Romford played a testimonial match
for him on his retirement. He died in January 1993, aged 91.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
er.
Born in Clapton, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, he played junior football in London before joining Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
as an amateur, and had an unsuccessful trial with Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
before joining Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
in December 1924. Seddon played as a half back
Wing half
In association football, the position of wing half or wing half back) was popularly used in the late nineteenth and first half of the 20th centuries...
and was mainly a second-string player, he played over 200 Football Combination
Football Combination
The Football Combination , is a football competition for the reserve teams of English Football League clubs from Southern England and Wales...
matches for Arsenal Reserves
Arsenal F.C. Reserves
Arsenal Reserves are the reserve team of Arsenal Football Club.They have been members of the FA Premier Reserve League Southern Division since its foundation in 1999. They play their home games at Underhill Stadium, which is also the home of Barnet FC. The team mainly consists of Under-21 players...
, eventually rising to captain as the side won five Combination titles in the 1920s.
During the 1920s, Seddon played sparingly for the Arsenal first team, making his debut when deputising for Alf Baker
Alf Baker
Alfred Baker was an English footballer.Born in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, Baker was originally a miner and played for various clubs in Derbyshire as an amateur, including Eastwood Rangers. During World War I he guested for Chesterfield, Crystal Palace and Huddersfield Town, although these appearances...
in a 2-1 defeat against Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
on April 10, 1926. That was his only appearance of 1925-26
1925-26 in English football
The 1925–26 season was the 51st season of competitive football in England. This marked the year that Huddersfield Town won the League three years running, making them the first team in Football League history to do so.-Honours:-First Division:...
, but edged his way into the first team with 17 appearances in 1926-27
1926-27 in English football
The 1926–27 season was the 52nd season of competitive football in England.-Events:This was the season in which George Camsell scored an astounding 59 goals in 37 league appearances for Middlesbrough-Honours:...
. However, he did not make the cut for the 1927 FA Cup Final, and with Arsenal's strong half-back line of Alf Baker, Jack Butler
Jack Butler (footballer)
John Dennis "Jack" Butler was an English footballer.-Football career:Born in Colombo to English parents, Butler moved back to Britain as a child. He played for Dartford and Fulham Thursday as a youth, before signing for Fulham in 1913 and moving to Arsenal in 1914...
and Bob John
Bob John
Robert Frederick "Bob" John was a Welsh football player and coach.Born in Barry, John played for Barry Town and Caerphilly, before joining English club Arsenal, who signed him amongst stiff competition, in January 1922 for a fee of £750...
. Seddon only played four times in 1927-28
1927-28 in English football
The 1927–28 season was the 53rd season of competitive football in England.-Events:This was the season in which Dixie Dean scored an astounding 60 goals in 39 league appearances for Everton – 58.8% of their seasons total .-Honours:...
and not at all in 1928-29
1928-29 in English football
The 1928–29 season was the 54th season of competitive football in England.-Honours:Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour...
.
However, in 1929-30
1929-30 in English football
The 1929–30 season was the 55th season of competitive football in England.-Events:The Wednesday officially changed their name to Sheffield Wednesday prior to the start of this season....
he was reintroduced into the Arsenal side, alternating with Baker at right half, until centre half Herbie Roberts
Herbie Roberts
Herbert "Herbie" Roberts was an English football player.-Playing career:Born in Oswestry, Shropshire, Roberts first played as an amateur for his local club Oswestry Town, whilst working as a policeman. A tall, but quiet and unassuming right half, he was signed by Herbert Chapman's Arsenal in...
was injured against West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
. Seddon moved into defence and not only played the last twelve games of that season, but started the 1930 FA Cup Final
1930 FA Cup Final
The 1930 FA Cup Final was contested by Arsenal and Huddersfield Town at Wembley Stadium. Arsenal won 2–0, with goals from Alex James and Jack Lambert...
, in which Arsenal beat Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
2-0 to win their first major trophy.
Seddon continued to play for Arsenal, appearing 18 times in 1930-31
1930-31 in English football
The 1930–31 season was the 56th season of competitive football in England.-Events:Of note this season was Manchester United's record of the worst start in a major European league – they lost their first twelve games of the season and went on to be relegated....
and winning a League Championship
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
medal as Arsenal won their first ever league title. By this time he had reverted to right half, but the move of Charlie Jones to right half ousted him from the side and he only made five appearances in 1931-32
1931-32 in English football
The 1931–32 season was the 57th season of competitive football in England.-Honours:Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour...
. He eventually left the club in March 1932, moving to Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
for £2,500. In total he played 76 matches for Arsenal, though he never scored a goal.
He spent two seasons with Grimsby before a single season with Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
. He retired from playing in 1934. He later worked as a trainer
Athletic trainer
An athletic trainer is a certified, health care professional who practices in the field of sports medicine. Athletic training has been recognized by the American Medical Association as an allied health care profession since 1990....
for Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
and Romford
Romford F.C.
Romford F.C. is an English football club based in Romford, Greater London. The club are currently members of Division One North of the Isthmian League, and play at Mill Field in Aveley.-History:...
. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
he served in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
with the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
, and returned to Romford after the war to become their groundsman. In 1967, Arsenal and Romford played a testimonial match
Testimonial match
A testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
for him on his retirement. He died in January 1993, aged 91.