Billy Bassett

William Isiah Bassett was a football player of the English association, as well as a club chairman and director who was with West Bromwich for over 50 years. Bassett was born on January 27, 1869 in West Bromwich, England, and passed away on April 8, 1937 in his hometown.

When Bassett played football, he was initially considered too frail for a football player because he stood at 5 feet and 5 inches only. However, he quickly established his skill and worth by becoming a winger at various amateur clubs, and soon after he was asked to join the West Bromwich Albion in 1886.

Bassett pretty much spent his whole professional career with West Bromwich Albion, where he played in approximately 261 games for. In addition, he was able to make 16 caps for England and scored 8 goals. In fact, he soon became one of football’s earliest celebrities due to his prowess.

In April 28, 1894, Bassett became the very first Albion player to be sent out of a game because he was using “unparliamentary language” during a friendly match against Millwall. The last play that Bassett appeared in was during a match against Aston Villa, which was the last day of the 1898-99 seasons.

After retiring, Bassett became the director of Albion in 1905. Although the club was initially in trouble, Bassett and harry Keys was able to rescue the club from financial despair. Two days after his death, a minute of silence was held before Albion faced Preston North End at the FA Cup Semifinal which resulted in Albion’s defeat.