Quick Facts
Biography
William Henry "Billy" Linward (1877–1940) was an English footballer who played as an outside left for Doncaster Rovers, West Ham United, Arsenal, Norwich City, Kilmarnock and Maidstone United at the turn of the 19th century.
Born in Hull, Linward is first known as playing for Grimsby All Saints, from where he moved to Doncaster Rovers in the Midland League for the start of the 1895–86 season. He scored his first goal on his home debut in a 3–0 victory over Mansfield Town in front of a 1000 crowd. His time at Doncaster involved two Midland League championships and one runner up, plus being runner up in the Yorkshire League. In all competitive games in his 6 seasons at Doncaster he scored 65 goals including two hattricks. On 5 November 1898, he scored twice against Huddersfield in the Yorkshire League in the still standing joint record 14−0 Doncaster win.
Just as Doncaster were elected into the Football League for the 1901–02 season, Linward moved to Southern League club West Ham United receiving a wage of £2.10s a week. He played in all 30 League games for West Ham that season plus one FA Cup game before being bought by Arsenal.
After three seasons with Arsenal, which involved being promoted to the First Division for the first time in their history, he moved to Norwich City, Kilmarnock and then Maidstone United.
Linward died in West Ham in 1940 aged 62 years.
Honours
Doncaster Rovers
- Midland League
- Champions: 1896–97, 1898–99
- Runners up: 1900–01
- Yorkshire League
- Runners up: 1898–99
- Mexborough Montague Charity Cup
- Winners: 1900–01
Arsenal
- Football League Second Division
- Runners up: 1902–03