Billy Luke

William Luke MM (17 December 1890 – January 1992) was an English professional football outside right who played in the Football League for Preston North End.[1][3]

Billy Luke
Personal information
Full name William Luke[1]
Date of birth (1890-12-17)17 December 1890
Place of birth Acklington, England
Date of death January 1992(1992-01-00) (aged 101)[2]
Position(s) Outside right
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Trimdon Grange
1911–1912 Bedlington United
1912–1913 Preston North End 8 (2)
1913–1915 Hartlepools United 30 (9)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Personal life

On 28 October 1915, over a year since the outbreak of the First World War, Luke enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery.[2] He was deployed to the Western Front during the Battle of the Somme and participated in the battle's closing action on the Ancre in November 1916.[2] Luke's unit moved to trench lines east of Arras in April 1917 and he was seriously wounded in the leg on 9 April, which led to his discharge from the army in August 1918.[2] In the aftermath of his wounding, Luke was recommended for the Military Medal and the award was gazetted on 18 July 1917.[2] At the time of his death in January 1992, Luke was the oldest-living former professional footballer in Britain.[2]

Honours

Preston North End

Career statistics
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Preston North End 1912–13[1] Second Division 8 2 1 0 9 2
Hartlepools United 1914–15[3] North Eastern League 30 9 2 1 32 10
Career total 38 11 3 1 41 12

References
  1. Joyce, Michael (2012). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: Tony Brown. p. 179. ISBN 190589161X.
  2. "William Luke – Footballer and Wounded First World War Hero". Retrieved 21 September 2016.
  3. "In The Mad Crowd". www.inthemadcrowd.co.uk. Retrieved 21 September 2016.


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