William Knight (footballer)
Encyclopedia
William Knight was an English professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Southampton
in the years prior to World War I
.
and began his career at Walsall
, before being spotted by Aston Villa
in 1907. He joined Villa as an amateur and spent some time with their nursery club, Stourbridge
,. In 1911, he had a trial with Southampton
of the Southern League
, in which he "shaped up well" and, much against the wishes of the Villa directors, he moved to the south coast
in May 1911.
He made his debut for the "Saints" when he replaced Arthur Brown for the match at Luton Town
on 18 November 1911. At first he was an "agile and vigilant custodian" whose only fault was that he was "inclined to come off his line too hurriedly". He became the first-choice keeper for the rest of the 1911–12 season, but in October 1912 he lost his place to the veteran George Kitchen
, after the team had managed only one victory with six defeats in the first nine games. Although Kinight was to be recalled for five matches at the end of the season, he left the club in the summer of 1913.
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...
in the years prior to 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...
.
Football career
Knight was born in Toogates, TamworthTamworth
Tamworth is a town and local government district in Staffordshire, England, located north-east of Birmingham city centre and north-west of London. The town takes its name from the River Tame, which flows through the town, as does the River Anker...
and began his career at Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
, before being spotted by Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
in 1907. He joined Villa as an amateur and spent some time with their nursery club, Stourbridge
Stourbridge F.C.
Stourbridge Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Stourbridge, West Midlands. The club currently plays in the Southern League Premier Division.-Early years:The club was founded in 1876 and was originally known as Stourbridge Standard...
,. In 1911, he had a trial with 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...
of 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...
, in which he "shaped up well" and, much against the wishes of the Villa directors, he moved to the south coast
Southern England
Southern England, the South and the South of England are imprecise terms used to refer to the southern counties of England bordering the English Midlands. It has a number of different interpretations of its geographic extents. The South is considered by many to be a cultural region with a distinct...
in May 1911.
He made his debut for the "Saints" when he replaced Arthur Brown for the match at Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
on 18 November 1911. At first he was an "agile and vigilant custodian" whose only fault was that he was "inclined to come off his line too hurriedly". He became the first-choice keeper for the rest of the 1911–12 season, but in October 1912 he lost his place to the veteran George Kitchen
George Kitchen
George Kitchen was an English footballer who played as a goalkeeper for various clubs in the early part of the twentieth century, including long spells at Everton and West Ham United.-Football career:...
, after the team had managed only one victory with six defeats in the first nine games. Although Kinight was to be recalled for five matches at the end of the season, he left the club in the summer of 1913.