William Egan (footballer)

Thomas William Egan (1872–1946[1]) was a Welsh professional association footballer who played as an inside forward. Egan played in the Football League for Ardwick, Burnley, Sheffield United and Lincoln City.[1] He was awarded one cap for the Wales national football team for the match against Scotland on 26 March 1892.[2]

William Egan
Personal information
Full name Thomas William Egan
Date of birth 1872
Place of birth Chirk, Wales
Date of death 1946 (aged 73 or 74)
Place of death Tibshelf, England
Position(s) Inside forward
Youth career
1889–1892 Chirk
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1891–1892 Chirk
1892–1893 Fairfield
1893–1894 Ardwick 7 (0)
1894–1895 Burnley 10 (1)
1895 Ashton North End
1895–1896 Sheffield United 15 (4)
1896–1897 Lincoln City 16 (0)
1897–1898 Birdwell
1898–1899 Altofts
1899–1900 Darwen
1901 Royston United
1901 Stockport County 0 (0)
International career
1892 Wales 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

He started his career with his local side, Chirk F.C. as a teenager and graduated to the first team in 1891. Shortly afterwards, he moved to Manchester to join Fairfield. In the summer of 1893, he joined Ardwick before moving on to Burnley. After a month with Ashton North End in May 1895, he joined Sheffield United in November, where he replaced his former Chirk team-mate, Joe Davies. Described as a "tricky player" who had a "fine shot at goal", Egan could play in any of the forward positions.[3]

After a season in Sheffield, in which he scored four goals from 15 league appearances, Egan moved on to Lincoln City before dropping into non-League football in 1897. After a further four years, in which he played for five clubs, he retired to return to his home town.[3]

He later moved to Derbyshire where he worked as a miner, dying in Tibshelf in 1946.[3] Two of his sons, Harry and Doug became professional footballers,[3] the former with Brighton, Southend United, Aldershot and Cardiff City and the latter with Derby County and Aldershot.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Soccerdata. p. 83. ISBN 1-899468-67-6.
  2. ^ Scotland v Wales 26 March 1892 – Wales line-up at Welsh Football Data Archive
  3. ^ a b c d Davies, Gareth; Garland, Ian (1991). Who's Who of Welsh International Soccer Players. Bridge Books. p. 54. ISBN 1-872424-11-2.