Bill Perkins (footballer)

Bill Perkins

Personal information
Full name	William Henry Perkins
Date of birth	(1876-01-26)January 26, 1876
Place of birth	Wellingborough, England
Date of death	ca. 1940
Place of death	Rushden, England
Playing position	Goalkeeper
Youth career
1892–1894	Wellingborough Trinity
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1894–1898	Kettering Town
1898–1899	Luton Town
1899–1903	Liverpool	107	(0)
1903–1906	Northampton Town	100	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

William 'Bill' Perkins (28 January 1876, Wellingborough - circa 1940, Rushden) was a football goalkeeper who notably played for Liverpool in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Life and playing career

Perkins played for Kettering and Luton Town before being signed by Liverpool on 25 March 1899, making his senior debut on 3 April 1899^[1] in a Football League Division One match against Newcastle at Anfield, a game that the Reds won 3-2.^[2]

Perkins became the Reds number 1 when he took over from Matt McQueen, who had often played in outfield positions. Harry Storer started the first 11 games during the 1899-00 season but Perkins took over and remained first choice until 1903 when he shared the duties with Peter Platt. Perkins was an ever present between the sticks when Liverpool won their first ever Football League First Division title in 1900–01.^[1]

After leaving Liverpool he joined Northampton Town of the Southern League.^[3]

References