Morris William Image 1 Liverpool 1909

Description

Arnold, Nottinghamshire born inside forward William Morris never made a League appearance for Liverpool or any other Football League club. In November 1909 the following portrait appeared in the joint Liverpool and Everton match programme:

“Inside forwards are badly needed at Anfield, judging from recent displays both by the League and Reserve teams, hence any addition to the club’s resources in this respect is eagerly watched in the hope that the newcomer will prove a worthy recruit, and qualify for inclusion in the premier eleven. Last January a team yclept Lincoln City came to Anfield to contest Liverpool’s claim for figuring in the Second Round of the Association Cup Ties. They brought with them a nippy youngster as centre forward, who surprised the locals by scoring the first goal of the match in valiant fashion. This shock, however, was outclassed in the next series of ties, but that has nothing to do with the present relation.

William Morris was born at Arnold, near Nottingham, nineteen years ago, and is thus one of the youngest players connected with the Liverpool club. His appearance would suggest this, but there is a freshness about his work that although it betokens adolescence, yet conveys the impression of being likely to develop into an effective factor in attack.

His first club was Arnold St. Mary’s, who were connected with the Notts Church League, and at the age of sixteen Morris started his football career with this newly formed team. He played inside right for them, and though he only remained one season, scored twenty goals, and thereby materially helped in bringing the club to second place in the final table of results.

The following season he joined the Daybrook Baptist club, which was connected with the same League, and was their recognised inside right for half the campaign, scoring nine goals during this period. He concluded that season with Bulwell White Star, who were members of the Notts Amateur League.

His penchant for goal scoring was here maintained, for his club won the Championship of the League, towards which Morris contributed nineteen goals, and he received a medal for being the top-scorer in the competition.

The White Star team also reached the final of the Notts Junior Cup, but were beaten in this round by the odd goal of three. Morris opened the next season with Bulwell, but after three months’ changed his quarters.

He was persuaded to join Stanton Hill, one of the Notts and Derbyshire League teams, and after scoring five goals for them in half a dozen matches, attracted the notice of the Lincoln City directors.

The latter, who were connected with the Midland League at this time, gave Morris a trial at inside right against Gainsborough Trinity Reserves. Then their centre forward was injured, and Morris was requested to act as pivot the following Saturday against Rotherham Town in a United League game.

He scored a goal and Lincoln won by 2-1. This success led to a further trial, and he played at Bradford in a Midland League game, where he also netted. He was thereupon asked to sign a professional form for Lincoln, and the following day played centre forward for them against Barnsley Reserves.

This was in January last, and a week later, Lincoln City came to Anfield, and brought Morris with them as the leader of their front rank. The result of this we have already stated, and by his clever work that afternoon, our subject gained the affections of many of the Liverpool club’s officials.

Consequently, when he was signed on by them, last April, little surprise was occasioned thereby, although it was generally felt that he had much to learn before becoming an effective centre forward. He opened the season against Everton Reserve, also played against the Bolton second team.

Last Saturday he made his third appearance with the Reserves against St. Helens Town, and scored the first goal. Standing 5ft. 7½in., and weighing 11st. 3lbs., he is slimly built for a forward leader, and we should say his best position is at inside right.

Somewhat lacking in physique he is nevertheless young enough to develop in this respect, and he should eventually become a regular performer in the Reserve ranks. He seems to us too small for a centre forward, and a casual study of his career will reveal the fact that he has shown his most dangerous work on the right wing.

Morris possesses a useful turn of speed, and is a zealous player. He requires experience of course, and this should serve to bring forth his other good qualities.”