William Edward Michael Leeds (4 April 1880 – 6 April 1955)[1] was an Australian rules footballer who played with Carlton in the Victorian Football League (VFL).

Billy Leeds
Cigarette card of Leeds in 1906
Personal information
Full name William Edward Michael Leeds
Date of birth 4 April 1880
Place of birth Carlton, Victoria
Date of death 6 April 1955(1955-04-06) (aged 75)
Place of death Carlton, Victoria
Original team(s) Brunswick
Position(s) Forward/Defender
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1903–1905 Carlton 27 (14)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1905.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Leeds, who could play both forward and down back, had his first season for Carlton in 1903 but then retired to pursue an umpiring career. After officiating in two games early in the 1904 VFL season, Carlton lured him back to the club to fill a gap left by injuries and he starred from the half back flank in their semi-final win over Essendon. He also played in their losing Grand Final that year which makes him the only league footballer to umpire a match and appear in a Grand Final in the same season.

References

edit
  1. ^ "Billy Leeds". Blueseum - Online Carlton Football Club Museum. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  • Billy Leeds's playing statistics from AFL Tables
  • Holmesby, Russell and Main, Jim (2007). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers. 7th ed. Melbourne: Bas Publishing.