Billy Scarratt
Encyclopedia
Billy Scarratt was an English
football player, who gained recognition as one of the first star names at Shrewsbury Town
.
Scarratt joined Shrewsbury Town from his hometown team Wellington Town
, and was to play for Shrewsbury for eight seasons prior to World War 1.
Scarratt is credited as being the first ever goalscorer at Shrewsbury's former Gay Meadow
home, scoring an own goal in the first ever known game, a practice match between the 'Reds' and the 'Whites' on August 20, 1910. He made amends for this shortly after on September 10, in Shrewsbury Town's first match at Gay Meadow, versus Wolverhampton Wanderers Reserves. Whilst Shrewsbury lost 2-1, Scarratt scored in the right end and became the first Shrewsbury Town player to score at Gay Meadow.
During his eight season spell at Gay Meadow, Scarratt played in every position, including goalkeeper. His Shrewsbury career was ended by World War 1, where he served in the King's Shropshire Light Infantry. Having survived the war, he is not believed to have returned to football, instead he emigrated to New York
to find work as a builder. He returned to Shropshire in 1930 (possibly as a result of the Great Depression
) and settled in his hometown of Wellington before dying in 1958, aged 80.
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 player, who gained recognition as one of the first star names at Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
.
Scarratt joined Shrewsbury Town from his hometown team Wellington Town
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...
, and was to play for Shrewsbury for eight seasons prior to World War 1.
Scarratt is credited as being the first ever goalscorer at Shrewsbury's former Gay Meadow
Gay Meadow
The Gay Meadow is the former home ground of Shrewsbury Town FC, a football club in England. It was situated just outside the town centre of Shrewsbury, on the banks of the River Severn and it opened in August 1910....
home, scoring an own goal in the first ever known game, a practice match between the 'Reds' and the 'Whites' on August 20, 1910. He made amends for this shortly after on September 10, in Shrewsbury Town's first match at Gay Meadow, versus Wolverhampton Wanderers Reserves. Whilst Shrewsbury lost 2-1, Scarratt scored in the right end and became the first Shrewsbury Town player to score at Gay Meadow.
During his eight season spell at Gay Meadow, Scarratt played in every position, including goalkeeper. His Shrewsbury career was ended by World War 1, where he served in the King's Shropshire Light Infantry. Having survived the war, he is not believed to have returned to football, instead he emigrated to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
to find work as a builder. He returned to Shropshire in 1930 (possibly as a result of the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
) and settled in his hometown of Wellington before dying in 1958, aged 80.