Brelsford Bill Image 2 Sheffield United 1920

Description

Attercliffe, Sheffield born right half Bill Brelsford started his football career with Attercliffe United in 1904 and played for Tinsley Park in 1905, Lodge Inn in 1906 and Rawmarsh Albion in 1907 before signing for Midland League club Doncaster Rovers in 1908, but when he moved to Sheffield in 1909 he opted not to join his younger brothers, Charles & Tom Brelsford, who both played for Sheffield Wednesday, but to join United instead. He made his Football League debut for The Blades at Middlesbrough in September 1909, immediately becoming a regular in their line up. He scored his only career goal in his first season, in a 3-3 derby draw with The Wednesday in November 1909, and was an ever present in their 1913-14 campaign, when he also appeared in their FA Cup semi final team that lost narrowly in a replay to eventual winners Burnley at Goodison Park.

He was one of the 1915 FA Cup winning team, the so called “Khaki Cup Final”, when The Blades beat Chelsea 3-0 at The Crystal Palace, where it was reported he broke up many of the Chelsea attacks by heading the ball back towards their half, but immediately after the victory the onset of the First World War forced the suspension of peacetime football.

After the War he resumed at Bramall Lane and was a regular in the first two peacetime seasons. He eventually lost his place at the start of the 1921-22 season playing only twice more that season, and after a single goal in 296 appearances he retired from professional football joining non league Taunton United in 1922, already aged 37. He had a brief spell at Torquay United in 1925 before returning to Sheffield United where he became assistant trainer at his former club, eventually rising to first team trainer between 1932 and 1935 when he retired from football.

A further brother, Ben Brelsford, also played professional football in the 1920’s for a number of clubs including Barrow, Oldham Athletic and Watford.