Bill Brelsford

Bill Brelsford

Personal information
Full name	William Henry Brelsford
Date of birth	1885
Place of birth	Sheffield, England
Date of death	25 March 1954 (aged 68–69)
Place of death	Sheffield, England
Height	5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Position(s)	Centre half
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1902–1904	Attercliffe United
1904–190?	Tinsley Park
	Lodge Inn
	Rawmarsh Albion
1907–1910	Doncaster Rovers		(5)
1910–1925	Sheffield United	277	(1)
1925	Torquay United
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

William Henry Brelsford (1885 – 25 March 1954), known as Bill or Beau Brelsford, was an English footballer who played for Doncaster Rovers and Sheffield United. He was a hardworking player and could play as a right half or centre half.

Club career

Bill Brelsford came from a footballing family, two brothers playing for Sheffield Wednesday, but he made his league début with Doncaster Rovers. In 1910 he transferred back to his home town Sheffield but he did not join his brothers at Wednesday, joining cross-city rivals Sheffield United instead. He was a member of the Blades team who won the FA Cup final in 1915 where it was reported he broke up many of the Chelsea attacks by heading the ball back towards their half.

After a lengthy career at Bramall Lane he had a brief spell at Torquay United before returning to Sheffield where he became assistant trainer at his former club, eventually rising to first team trainer between 1932 and 1935. Following his retirement he became kennel master at Darnall greyhound track.

Honours

Sheffield United

• FA Cup winners: 1915