Billy Meredith

Billy Meredith, born on July 30, 1874, was a Welsh professional footballer who emerged as one of the early superstars of the sport. Renowned for his exceptional skills in dribbling, passing, crossing, and shooting, Meredith made a significant impact during his time with Manchester City and Manchester United. His career spanned an impressive twenty-seven seasons in the Football League, during which he scored one hundred ninety-four goals in seven hundred forty appearances.

Meredith's journey began at Chirk before he joined Northwich Victoria in 1892. His professional career took off when he signed with Manchester City in 1894, turning professional in January 1895. He captained City to their first major trophy, a memorable one-nil victory over Bolton Wanderers in the 1904 FA Cup final. However, his career faced a setback when he was banned for bribing an opposition player, which led to his move to Manchester United in May 1906.

At Manchester United, Meredith continued to shine, winning league titles in 1907-08 and 1910-11, as well as the FA Cup in 1909 and two FA Charity Shields. His influence extended beyond the pitch as he played a pivotal role in establishing the Players' Union, a precursor to the Professional Footballers' Association. After a brief return to Manchester City in 1921 at the age of forty-seven, he became the oldest player to represent City, United, and Wales, playing thirty-two games before retiring in 1924.

Beyond his football career, Meredith was known for his distinctive habit of chewing on a toothpick during matches, making him instantly recognizable. After hanging up his boots, he ventured into business, running the Stretford Road Hotel, and contributed to coaching the short-lived Manchester Central.