Billy Pratt (footballer, born 1872)

William Pratt (1872 – after 1898) was an English professional footballer who made 22 appearances in the Football Alliance playing for Small Heath.[1]

Billy Pratt
Personal information
Full name William Pratt
Date of birth 1872
Place of birth Birmingham, England
Position(s) Outside forward
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
0000–1889 St John's (Deritend)
1889–1892 Small Heath 22 (1)
1892–1898 Small Heath Unity
1898–1??? Worcester Rovers
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Pratt, born in Highgate, Birmingham, joined Small Heath in 1889. A winger whose strengths were dribbling and crossing the ball but who lacked pace,[2] he made his first-team debut on 19 October 1889, playing at inside left in a 2–2 draw away at The Wednesday in the Football Alliance. He became a first-team regular in the 1890–91 season, but lost his place to new arrival "Toddy" Hands in December 1890, played only twice more for the first team,[1] and dropped back into local non-league football in 1892.[2]

He is often confused with another Billy Pratt, a left back who did not join the club until 1894.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Matthews, Tony (1995). Birmingham City: A Complete Record. Derby: Breedon Books. pp. 140–41. ISBN 978-1-85983-010-9.
  2. ^ a b c Matthews, p. 118.