Billy Light
Encyclopedia
William Henry "Billy" Light (11 June 1913–1993) was an English footballer who played for Southampton
and West Bromwich Albion
as a goalkeeper in the 1930s.
and played his youth football for the works teams from the local shipyard
s, John I. Thornycroft & Company
and Harland & Wolff. In May 1932, he joined Southampton
as an amateur, signing his first professional contract in September 1933.
He made his first-team debut, replacing long-serving 'keeper Bert Scriven, in a 1–0 victory over Swansea Town on 5 February 1933. In only his fourth match, against Hull City
at The Dell on 24 February, he displaced his left knee cap in a collision, putting him out of the game for several months.
He eventually returned to the team in March 1934 and retained his place for the rest of the 1934–35 season. He continued as the first choice custodian for the start of the "Saints" golden jubilee
season. By now, he had gained a reputation as one of the country's leading goal-keepers and in March 1936, with the club in financial difficulties, he was sold to First Division West Bromwich Albion
for a fee of £2,000, causing "a storm of protest" among the club's fans.
, Light was understudy to England
international Harold Pearson
and in his three years with the "Baggies", he only made 30 appearances in all. In a league match at Stoke City
on 4 February 1937, he conceded 10 goals in Albion's heaviest defeat in the Football League
.
, then in the Southern League
, as a player-coach in 1938, helping the new club claim the Southern League title at the end of his first season. After the Second World War, he continued his association with the club, as a trainer, until his eventual retirement in 1968.
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...
and West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
as a goalkeeper in the 1930s.
Southampton
Light was born in Woolston, SouthamptonWoolston, Southampton
Woolston is a suburb of Southampton, Hampshire, located on the eastern bank of the River Itchen. It is bounded by the River Itchen, Hampshire, Sholing, Peartree Green, Itchen and Weston.The area is rich in maritime and aviation history...
and played his youth football for the works teams from the local shipyard
Shipyard
Shipyards and dockyards are places which repair and build ships. These can be yachts, military vessels, cruise liners or other cargo or passenger ships. Dockyards are sometimes more associated with maintenance and basing activities than shipyards, which are sometimes associated more with initial...
s, John I. Thornycroft & Company
John I. Thornycroft & Company
John I. Thornycroft & Company Limited, usually known simply as Thornycroft was a British shipbuilding firm started by John Isaac Thornycroft in the 19th century.-History:...
and Harland & Wolff. In May 1932, he joined 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...
as an amateur, signing his first professional contract in September 1933.
He made his first-team debut, replacing long-serving 'keeper Bert Scriven, in a 1–0 victory over Swansea Town on 5 February 1933. In only his fourth match, against Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
at The Dell on 24 February, he displaced his left knee cap in a collision, putting him out of the game for several months.
He eventually returned to the team in March 1934 and retained his place for the rest of the 1934–35 season. He continued as the first choice custodian for the start of the "Saints" golden jubilee
Golden Jubilee
A Golden Jubilee is a celebration held to mark a 50th anniversary.- In Thailand :King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch, celebrated his Golden Jubilee on 9 June 1996.- In the Commonwealth Realms :...
season. By now, he had gained a reputation as one of the country's leading goal-keepers and in March 1936, with the club in financial difficulties, he was sold to First Division West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
for a fee of £2,000, causing "a storm of protest" among the club's fans.
West Bromwich Albion
At The HawthornsThe Hawthorns
The Hawthorns is an all-seater football stadium in West Bromwich, Sandwell, England, with a capacity of 26,484. It has been the home of West Bromwich Albion F.C. since 1900, when it became the sixth ground to be used by the club. The ground was the last Football League ground to be built in the...
, Light was understudy to England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
international Harold Pearson
Harold Pearson
Harold Frederick Pearson was an English footballer who played as a goalkeeper.- Biography :Pearson was born in Tamworth. As a youngster he played football for Glascote United, Glascote Methodists, Belgrave YMCA, Belgrave United, Two Gates F.C., Nuneaton Town and Tamworth Castle...
and in his three years with the "Baggies", he only made 30 appearances in all. In a league match at Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
on 4 February 1937, he conceded 10 goals in Albion's heaviest defeat in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
.
Colchester United – Player and coach
Light joined newly formed Colchester UnitedColchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
, then 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...
, as a player-coach in 1938, helping the new club claim the Southern League title at the end of his first season. After the Second World War, he continued his association with the club, as a trainer, until his eventual retirement in 1968.