Wareing Billy Image 3 Swindon Town 1921

Description

Southport, Lancashire born left half Billy Wareing began his football career with hometown junior club Southport Park Villa in 1903, playing non league football for Chorley West End in 1904, Chorley in 1905, and St Helens Recreation in 1906 before a return to Chorley in 1907. From there he signed for First Division club Preston North End in June 1910, making his Football League debut against Manchester City that September, soon establishing himself as a mainstay of the Preston first eleven. Although they were relegated the following season, First Division club Everton came in for his signature in October 1912 after 2 goals in 82 appearances for The Lambs.

He played both sides of the First World War for Everton, albeit he only made 9 appearances during their 1914-15 League Championship triumph, and his career at Goodison Park was shortened by the War, the onset of which forced the suspension of peacetime football in May 1915. But he returned to Everton and played most of their matches in the first half of their 1919-20 campaign, playing his final match at Sheffield Wednesday in January 1920.

In May 1920, after 6 goals in 69 appearances for The Toffees, he joined Southern League club Swindon Town, and with the formation of the new Third Division he was a virtual ever present for them in their inaugural Football League season, missing only 2 matches, also playing in their maiden League fixture, a 9-1 thrashing of Luton Town in August 1920. He remained a fixture in the team until January 1925 when he lost his place, probably through injury, retiring in May 1925 having scored 10 goals in 169 appearances for The Robins, helping them to consistent top half finishes in each of the five seasons he played at The County Ground, including fourth place finishes twice.