Billy Matthews (footballer, born 1883)

William Mathews (1882 – 29 April 1921), sometimes known as Billy Mathews or William Mathews,^[1] was a Welsh professional footballer who played in non-League football for Chester and Rhyl as a half back.^[1] He was capped by Wales twice, in 1905 versus Ireland and in 1908 versus England.^[3]

Billy Mathews
Personal information
Full name	William Mathews^[1]
Date of birth	1882
Place of birth	Rhyl, Wales^[1]
Date of death	29 April 1921 (aged 37–38)^[1]
Place of death	Christleton, England^[2]
Position(s)	Half back
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
0000–1904	Rhyl
1904–1906	Chester
1906–1907	Rhyl
1907–1919	Chester
International career
1905–1908	Wales	2	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Personal life edit

Mathews was son of William and Elizabeth Mathews of Rhyl, Flintshire.^[2] He was married to Annie and had two children.^[1] Prior to becoming a professional footballer, he worked as a labourer and as an electric engine driver.^[1] In 1915, during the second year of the First World War, he enlisted in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, but ultimately served as a Shoeing Smith with the Royal Field Artillery.^[1]^[2] In 1921, Mathews died of heart disease related to his war service and was buried in Christleton near Chester.^[1]^[2]

Chester

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j "William "Billie" Mathews". www.christleton.org.uk. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Casualty Details". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
^ "Billy Matthews". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
^ Chester{1} F.C. at the Football Club History Database

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