Billy Beaumont
Encyclopedia
William Edward "Billy" Beaumont (9 November 1883 – 19 November 1911) was an English footballer who played as a half back
for three Southern League
clubs in the early part of the twentieth century.
near Wigan
, but started his professional football career in February 1906 with Swindon Town
in the Southern League
. He remained at Swindon until the start of the 1907–08 season, when he moved to the south coast to join Portsmouth
for a fee of £75.
He played for Portsmouth for three years on a part-time basis, while working as a motor engineer. In his time at Fratton Park
he performed consistently, but Portsmouth were unable to regain the league title, with a best finish of fourth in 1908–09.
In October 1910, he was on the verge of retiring when he received an offer from Southampton
. Beaumont therefore joined the "Saints", again on a part-time basis. He trained nightly at Fratton Park and only made contact with the Southampton team on match days. According to "The Alphabet of the Saints", he was "never a brilliant player (but) was, nonetheless, versatile" and could play in any of the half back positions. He made his Southampton debut on 29 October 1910 in a 3–2 defeat at Brentford
and only missed three matches as Saints finished the season just one point above the relegation places.
Beaumont left the Saints in the summer of 1911 and retired from football. Within months he had contracted pneumonia
and died on 19 November 1911, a few days after his 28th birthday.
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
for three Southern League
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
clubs in the early part of the twentieth century.
Football career
Beaumont was born in Ashton-in-MakerfieldAshton-in-Makerfield
Ashton-in-Makerfield is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, Greater Manchester. It is situated south of Wigan, north-northwest of Warrington and west of the city of Manchester. In 2001 it had a population of 28,505....
near Wigan
Wigan
Wigan is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It stands on the River Douglas, south-west of Bolton, north of Warrington and west-northwest of Manchester. Wigan is the largest settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan and is its administrative centre. The town of Wigan had a total...
, but started his professional football career in February 1906 with Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
in the Southern League
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
. He remained at Swindon until the start of the 1907–08 season, when he moved to the south coast to join Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
for a fee of £75.
He played for Portsmouth for three years on a part-time basis, while working as a motor engineer. In his time at Fratton Park
Fratton Park
Fratton Park is a football stadium in the English city-port of Portsmouth. It has been the home of professional club Portsmouth F.C. since its construction in 1898.-Description:...
he performed consistently, but Portsmouth were unable to regain the league title, with a best finish of fourth in 1908–09.
In October 1910, he was on the verge of retiring when he received an offer from Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
. Beaumont therefore joined the "Saints", again on a part-time basis. He trained nightly at Fratton Park and only made contact with the Southampton team on match days. According to "The Alphabet of the Saints", he was "never a brilliant player (but) was, nonetheless, versatile" and could play in any of the half back positions. He made his Southampton debut on 29 October 1910 in a 3–2 defeat at Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
and only missed three matches as Saints finished the season just one point above the relegation places.
Beaumont left the Saints in the summer of 1911 and retired from football. Within months he had contracted pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
and died on 19 November 1911, a few days after his 28th birthday.