Billy Nesbitt
William Nesbitt (22 November 1891 – 11 January 1972) was an English professional footballer who played as a winger. Nesbitt started his football career, aged 16, with his local side, Cornholme, before later joining Portsmouth Rovers.[2] In 1911, he was signed by Burnley manager John Haworth, where he would make almost 200 first-team appearances. Nesbitt was first signed as an amateur, but Haworth gained permission for him to be released from his apprenticeship as a wood turner.[2] With Burnley, Nesbitt won both the FA Cup (1914) and Football League First Division (1920–21).[2] He moved to Bristol City in 1923 and had a short spell with Clapton Orient, but in 1924, he was forced to retire from the professional game through injury.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | William Nesbitt | ||
| Date of birth | 22 November 1891 | ||
| Place of birth | Todmorden, England | ||
| Date of death | 11 January 1972 (age 80) | ||
| Place of death | Halifax, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 7 1⁄2 in (1.71 m)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Winger | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1911–1923 | Burnley | 172 | (19) |
| 1923–1924 | Bristol City | 26 | (0) |
| 1924 | Clapton Orient | 0 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only | |||
Nesbitt was acutely deaf his whole life. At Burnley, his teammates communicated with him using a variety of methods, including shirt-pulling, hand signalling and lip-reading.[2] When his football career ended, he opened a tobacconist and sweet shop in Paddington, Central London. He returned to Todmorden, and in 1972, he died in hospital in Halifax.[2]
References
Specific
- Centaurus (22 August 1921). "First Division prospects. Burnley". Athletic News. Manchester. p. 5.
- Smith, Mike (2014). The Road to Glory: Burnley's FA Cup Triumph in 1914. Grosvenor House Publishing Limited. p. 319. ISBN 978-1781486900.
General
- Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888-1939.