Tim Williamson
Encyclopedia
Reginald Garnet "Tim" Williamson (6 June 1884 in North Ormesby
, Middlesbrough
– 1 August 1943 in Redcar
) was an English football player who made 602 appearances as a goalkeeper
for Middlesbrough
, scoring two goals, as well as 7 appearances for England
.
for Coatham Grammar School. He also played at amateur level for Redcar Juniors and Redcar Crusaders before he kept goal for Middlesbrough
in a friendly game versus Cliftonville as a 17 year old.
Middlesbrough were very interested in signing him as a professional, but he only agreed under the condition that they allowed him to continue his interest in becoming a qualified draughtsman
. Williamson's first competitive appearance for the club was in a game versus Crook Town in the Northern Football Alliance
on 1 January 1902, with his league debut coming in a home game against Bristol City
on 19 April of the same year. Initially an understudy for Scottish international
Rab Macfarlane, he gained a regular place in 1903–04
and never looked back.
Williamson's Middlesbrough service saw him make 602 appearances in all competitions, of which 130 were consecutive. His appearance total is still a Middlesbrough record. He was nicknamed "Tiny", due to him being barely tall. He played in the last game at Linthorpe Road and the first league game at Ayresome Park
. He scored two goals, both from the penalty spot
, though after he missed one against West Ham United
he never took another, after feeling the risk of racing back to his own goal was both too risky and tiring.
He was Middlesbrough's first capped goalkeeper, gaining seven full England
caps. His first came against Ireland in February 1905 in the first international to be played at Ayresome Park, in which he scored an own goal
. His next appearance did not come for six more years, with the brilliance of Sam Hardy
keeping him out of the team.
Williamson's reserved occupation meant that he was exempt from a call-up
for World War I
. The Football League
refused to sanction his benefit
later on, on the grounds that those years during the war did not count towards his Middlesbrough service. He did eventually receive a game however, versus Chelsea
.
His final game came on 24 March 1923, a 1–0 defeat to Cardiff City
. At 38 years and 9 months old, he would be the oldest player to represent Boro until Bryan Robson
broke that record 74 years later.
1000, as well as a silver tea and coffee service from Middlesbrough chairman Philip Bach
. Williamson continued to keep goal for a works team, however. Not interested in watching football, he spent his free time playing golf
and taking his sporting gun to Teesmouth
.
He died on 1 August 1943 at North Ormesby Hospital following an operation, and is buried in Coatham Churchyard.
North Ormesby
North Ormesby is an area in the town and unitary authority of Middlesbrough, in the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire, England. It is situated just to the south of the River Tees and the A66, and is adjacent to the Cargo Fleet and South Bank areas of Middlesbrough. The Teesdale Way long distance...
, Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough is a large town situated on the south bank of the River Tees in north east England, that sits within the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire...
– 1 August 1943 in Redcar
Redcar
Redcar is a seaside resort in the north east of England, and a major town in the unitary authority of Redcar and Cleveland in the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire. It lies east-northeast of Middlesbrough by the North Sea coast...
) was an English football player who made 602 appearances 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...
for Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
, scoring two goals, as well as 7 appearances for 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...
.
Playing career
While he was young, Williamson played centre-forwardStriker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
for Coatham Grammar School. He also played at amateur level for Redcar Juniors and Redcar Crusaders before he kept goal for Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
in a friendly game versus Cliftonville as a 17 year old.
Middlesbrough were very interested in signing him as a professional, but he only agreed under the condition that they allowed him to continue his interest in becoming a qualified draughtsman
Technical drawing
Technical drawing, also known as drafting or draughting, is the act and discipline of composing plans that visually communicate how something functions or has to be constructed.Drafting is the language of industry....
. Williamson's first competitive appearance for the club was in a game versus Crook Town in the Northern Football Alliance
Northern Football Alliance
The Northern Football Alliance is a football competition based in the Northeast of England and Cumbria. It has three divisions headed by the Premier Division, which sits at step 7 of the National League System...
on 1 January 1902, with his league debut coming in a home game against Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
on 19 April of the same year. Initially an understudy for Scottish international
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
Rab Macfarlane, he gained a regular place in 1903–04
1903-04 in English football
The 1903–04 season was the 33rd season of competitive football in England.-Events:For the first time ever, a London team, Woolwich Arsenal, is promoted to the First Division and makes the League's reach nationwide...
and never looked back.
Williamson's Middlesbrough service saw him make 602 appearances in all competitions, of which 130 were consecutive. His appearance total is still a Middlesbrough record. He was nicknamed "Tiny", due to him being barely tall. He played in the last game at Linthorpe Road and the first league game at Ayresome Park
Ayresome Park
-External links:**-References:...
. He scored two goals, both from the penalty spot
Penalty area
The penalty area , is an area of an association football pitch. It is rectangular and extends to each side of the goal and in front of it. Within the penalty area is the penalty spot , which is from the goal line, directly in-line with the centre of the goal...
, though after he missed one 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...
he never took another, after feeling the risk of racing back to his own goal was both too risky and tiring.
He was Middlesbrough's first capped goalkeeper, gaining seven full 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...
caps. His first came against Ireland in February 1905 in the first international to be played at Ayresome Park, in which he scored an own goal
Own goal
An own net occurs in goal-scoring games when a player scores a goal that is registered against his or her own team. It is usually accidental, and may be a result of an attempt at defensive play that failed or was spoiled by opponents....
. His next appearance did not come for six more years, with the brilliance of Sam Hardy
Sam Hardy
Samuel Hardy was a former England-international goalkeeper.In 1902, Chesterfield manager Jack Hoskin beat Derby County to sign Hardy, doing so under a lamp post in Newbold. Hardy, something of a shrewd character, wouldn't sign the forms until Hoskin promised to pay him 18 shillings when the...
keeping him out of the team.
Williamson's reserved occupation meant that he was exempt from a call-up
Conscription
Conscription is the compulsory enlistment of people in some sort of national service, most often military service. Conscription dates back to antiquity and continues in some countries to the present day under various names...
for World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. 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...
refused to sanction his benefit
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....
later on, on the grounds that those years during the war did not count towards his Middlesbrough service. He did eventually receive a game however, versus Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
.
His final game came on 24 March 1923, a 1–0 defeat to Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
. At 38 years and 9 months old, he would be the oldest player to represent Boro until Bryan Robson
Bryan Robson
Bryan Robson OBE is an English football manager and a former player. He is best known for playing in midfield for Manchester United, where he was the longest serving captain in club history. He was the manager of Sheffield United, being relieved of his first team duties at the club in February 2008...
broke that record 74 years later.
Retirement
On retirement, he was paid a sum of £Pound sterling
The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
1000, as well as a silver tea and coffee service from Middlesbrough chairman Philip Bach
Philip Bach
Philip Bach was an English footballer who played at full back. He played his club football for various teams including Middlesbrough and Sunderland and made one appearance for England in 1899. He was later the chairman of Middlesbrough F.C. for a total of 18 years.-Playing career:Bach was born in...
. Williamson continued to keep goal for a works team, however. Not interested in watching football, he spent his free time playing golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
and taking his sporting gun to Teesmouth
River Tees
The River Tees is in Northern England. It rises on the eastern slope of Cross Fell in the North Pennines, and flows eastwards for 85 miles to reach the North Sea between Hartlepool and Redcar.-Geography:...
.
He died on 1 August 1943 at North Ormesby Hospital following an operation, and is buried in Coatham Churchyard.