Betteley Dick Image 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1905

Description

Bradley, Staffordshire born left back and later right back Dick Betteley began his football career with Bradley Athletic in 1897 and played for Priestfield Albion in 1898, Bilston St Leonard’s in 1899, and Bilston United in 1900, from where he signed for First Division club Wolverhampton Wanderers in August 1901, making his Football League debut at Notts County in March 1902. From the start of the following season he was a regular in Wolves’ line-up, and was ever present in their 1902-03 campaign, missing just one match the following season and two matches in 1904-05, a season in which he scored his only career goal, a penalty in a home defeat to Stoke in April 1905.

Betteley lost his regular place in the Wolves first team in December 1905 and appeared just twice more during their relegation season before signing for local Second Division rivals West Bromwich Albion in the 1906 close season after 123 appearances for Wolves. At Albion Betteley switched to right back, the left back berth being occupied by England international Jesse Pennington, and in his first season he was an ever present until losing his place through injury in March 1907 after 26 appearances as Albion finished fourth in the division.

Thereafter he was a less regular performer, sharing the right back role with Harry Burton in 1909-10 when he made 21 appearances, and he played 11 matches, enough to earn a medal, as The Baggies won the Second Division Championship in 1910-11. Back in the top flight, Betteley played his final match, and made his only appearance of the season, in a draw with Oldham Athletic in April 1912. He left Albion in May 1912 after 89 appearances for The Baggies to rejoin Bilston United, before retiring in May 1914.