Richardson Bill Image 2 West Bromwich Albion 1931

Description

Great Bridge, Tipton born centre or left half William “Bill” Richardson (not to be confused with team mate WG “Ginger”) played junior football for Greets Green Boys, Greets Green Primitives in 1924 and Great Bridge Celtic in 1925. He turned professional in August 1926 when he joined West Bromwich Albion, and made his Football League debut in December 1928 in a Second Division match away at Middlesbrough. In 1930-31 he helped the club to achieve promotion to the First Division and played in the 1931 FA Cup Final at Wembley, in which Albion beat Birmingham 2-1. He was described in 1930 as “a tireless worker… who never hesitates to tackle, and having gained possession, always has an eye to his forward in the best position. Can also work his way with the ball and have a try on his own on goal”.

Richardson also appeared in the 1935 FA Cup Final, but this time earned only a runners-up medal as his team lost 4-2 to Sheffield Wednesday at Wembley. He scored his only career goal in a 3-1 win over local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers in October 1936. After making 352 appearances for West Bromwich Albion, he joined Swindon Town for a £200 transfer fee in May 1937, but only played twelve matches before moving on a free transfer to non league Dudley Town in September 1939. He joined Vono Sports in August 1940 but spent just one season with the club prior to his retirement in June 1941.

In this photograph Albion captain Tommy Glidden carries the FA Cup with team-mates at Wembley Stadium in the aftermath of their 2-1 victory over Birmingham in the FA Cup Final on 25th April 1931.

The players are (l-r): Joe Carter, W.G.”Ginger” Richardson, Bill Richardson, Glidden, Herbert Trentham (back), Tommy Magee, Teddy Sandford, George Shaw.