Tout Billy Image 1 Swindon Town 1911

Description

Bristol born right half Billy Tout started his football career with Moorfield Albion in 1901, playing for Redfield Rangers in 1902 before joining Southern League club Bristol Rovers for a year in 1903. He then moved to non league Bristol East from where Tout was snapped up by Swindon Town secretary/manager Sam Allen in May 1905. He made his debut for Swindon in a friendly match against Millwall on Boxing Day – starring in a 3-1 win. His Southern League debut came just four days later, West Ham United the visitors at The County Ground.

Although Tout eventually settled into a right half position, he was utilised by Swindon in many positions, including left half, centre half, inside left, outside left and right back. In 1908-09 Tout took over as the club’s penalty taker. Four years later, an injury picked up a fortnight before Swindon’s FA Cup semi final versus Barnsley kept him out for the rest of the season. When The Robins were awarded a penalty in the replay at Meadow Lane, Nottingham, their specialist was not on-hand to take it, and Archie Bown stepped up. The penalty was saved, and Swindon were knocked out by the eventual winners.

An ever-present in both of the Southern League Championship winning campaigns of 1911 and 1914, he also scored in Swindon’s 1911 FA Charity Shield defeat to Manchester United. The onset of the First World War interrupted Tout’s career at the Town, and by the time it ended he was 34 years of age. He remained at the club for their inaugural season in the Third Division, making his Football League debut against Southampton that September, one of four appearances in 1920. His last match came on November 6th at Millwall, before he left to become player-manager at Bath City. In total, Tout scored 61 goals in 442 appearances for Swindon Town, 39 of which came from the penalty spot.

NB the image, although published in 1920, clearly shows Billy Tout much earlier in his career.