Watson Bill Image 1 Chesterfield 1936

Description

Like his older brother Arthur, South Hiendley, Yorkshire born Bill Watson was a full back who could play either side, although mainly he played on the right, and later at centre half. He began his football career with Monckton Colliery Welfare in 1933 from where he joined Third Division (North) Lincoln City in February 1935, joining his brother who had signed the year before, making his Football League debut against Southport that April. He made 10 appearances for The Imps over his two seasons at Sincil Bank as they finished fourth in both his campaigns, before joining Second Division Chesterfield, with Arthur, in June 1936.

However he spent the remaining three seasons at Saltergate before the Second World War as a reserve team player, and it was only after the War that he made his first team debut against Bradford Park Avenue in August 1946, more than 10 years after having joined The Spireites! He made 30 appearances in 1946-47 and a further 8 appearances in 1947-48 before a transfer to Rochdale in June 1948. He had six seasons at Spotland, missing very few games in the first four, and playing 22 games a season in the latter two where he mainly played as a centre half from April 1953, before retiring in the summer of 1954, already aged 38, after 207 appearances for ‘Dale.

His older brother Arthur also played for Monckton Colliery, Lincoln City and Chesterfield, and subsequently played both sides of the War for Hull City.