Perkins Bill Image 1 Northampton Town 1906

Description

Wellingborough, Northamptonshire born goalkeeper Bill Perkins began his football career with Burton Latimer Temperance FC before joining Wellingborough Trinity in 1892 and he then played for Kettering in 1894, where he made his senior debut at Leicester Fosse in an FA Cup tie in December 1895. He joined Luton Town in 1898 where he made his Football League debut against Arsenal in September 1898. Having made 32 appearances for The Hatters he was signed by Liverpool on 25th March 1899 for £200, making his Reds debut a week later in a First Division match against Newcastle United at Anfield, a game that the Reds won 3-2.

Perkins became The Reds’ principal glovesman when he took over from Matt McQueen, who had often played in outfield positions. Perkins’ introduction into the side effectively ended McQueen’s playing days. Liverpool’s other goalkeeper Harry Storer started the first 11 games during the 1899-00 season but once Perkins took over he soon became the undisputed principal keeper. Perkins was an ever present when Liverpool won their first ever League Championship title in 1900-01 and he remained first choice until 1903 when he shared the goalkeeping duties with Peter Platt. Leaving Liverpool having made 117 League and Cup appearances, he joined Northampton Town of the Southern League making 100 appearances between 1903 and 1906.