Bill Shortt
Encyclopedia
Bill Shortt was a Welsh
professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper
. He was born in Wrexham
and was capped 12 times by Wales
.
on amateur terms in 1938 after being spotted playing for local side Hoole Alex., signing a professional contract the following May after a loan spell with Wellington
.
Although Shortt officially never played a Football League match for Chester, he was a regular for the first-team throughout the war years. He made his debut in the club’s first wartime league match against Tranmere Rovers
in October 1939 and played his final match against Rochdale
in January 1946, shortly before moving to Division Two
side Plymouth Argyle
for £1,000.
Shortt went on to make more than 300 league appearances for Argyle over the next decade, helping them win the Football League Division Three South title in 1951–52
. His stint also saw him capped 12 times by Wales, with his first cap coming against Northern Ireland
in April 1947. The following season saw him return to Chester with Plymouth in the FA Cup
third round, but he was on the losing side as Chester recorded a 2–0 victory.
After leaving Plymouth in 1956, Shortt ended his professional career. He joined non-league side Tavistock
and was the landlord of a pub in Plymouth
.
He died on September 20, 2004, the same day as legendary football manager Brian Clough
.
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
. He was born in Wrexham
Wrexham
Wrexham is a town in Wales. It is the administrative centre of the wider Wrexham County Borough, and the largest town in North Wales, located in the east of the region. It is situated between the Welsh mountains and the lower Dee Valley close to the border with Cheshire, England...
and was capped 12 times by Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
.
Playing career
Shortt joined ChesterChester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
on amateur terms in 1938 after being spotted playing for local side Hoole Alex., signing a professional contract the following May after a loan spell with Wellington
Telford United F.C.
Telford United F.C. was an English football club based in Telford, Shropshire.The club existed under various names for a total of 132 years from its formation in 1872. The club was founder members of the Alliance Premier League in 1979 and played at this level for 25 years before being wound up in...
.
Although Shortt officially never played a Football League match for Chester, he was a regular for the first-team throughout the war years. He made his debut in the club’s first wartime league match against Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
in October 1939 and played his final match against Rochdale
Rochdale A.F.C.
Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921...
in January 1946, shortly before moving to Division Two
Division Two
Division Two may refer to either:* Football League Two the current fourth tier of the English football league system* The Football League Second Division, the former second and later third tier of the English football league system...
side Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
for £1,000.
Shortt went on to make more than 300 league appearances for Argyle over the next decade, helping them win the Football League Division Three South title in 1951–52
1951-52 in English football
The 1951–52 season was the 72nd season of competitive football in England.-Honours:Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour...
. His stint also saw him capped 12 times by Wales, with his first cap coming against Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
in April 1947. The following season saw him return to Chester with Plymouth in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
third round, but he was on the losing side as Chester recorded a 2–0 victory.
After leaving Plymouth in 1956, Shortt ended his professional career. He joined non-league side Tavistock
Tavistock F.C.
Tavistock Association Football Club is a football club based in Tavistock, Devon, England.-History:They joined the South Western League for its second season in 1952. Apart from an eight-season sojourn spent back in local football, they had remained members of the South Western League until 2007...
and was the landlord of a pub in Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
.
He died on September 20, 2004, the same day as legendary football manager Brian Clough
Brian Clough
Brian Howard Clough, OBE was an English footballer and football manager. He is most notable for his success with Derby County and Nottingham Forest. His achievement of winning back-to-back European Cups with Nottingham Forest, a traditionally moderate provincial English club, is considered to be...
.
Honours
Plymouth Argyle- Football League Division Three South champions: 1951–521951-52 in English footballThe 1951–52 season was the 72nd season of competitive football in England.-Honours:Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour...
(44 apps)