William Grant (footballer)
Encyclopedia
William Middleton Grant was a Scottish
professional footballer
. He spent eight years at Blackpool
in the early 1900s, making over 200 Football League appearances for the club. He played as a defender
.
, made his debut for Blackpool eighteen games into their 1927–28 league season, a 2–2 draw at South Shields
on 10 December 1927. He went on to make seventeen further league appearances that campaign, and one in the FA Cup
.
The following season, 1928–29, Grant made 27 league appearances. This was under a new manager, Harry Evans, who succeeded Sydney Beaumont
.
Grant appeared in all but two of Blackpool's league games in 1929–30 as the club won the Division Two
championship. Only Jimmy Hampson
appeared in more games than he did.
In 1930–31, Blackpool's first season in English football's top flight, Grant was ever-present in the club's 42 league games — the only player at the club to claim such an achievement that particular season. He achieved the same feat the following season, 1931–32, sharing the honour with Hampson.
1932–33 saw Grant's appearances limited, with only eighteen in the league to his name, as Blackpool returned to Division Two. He did, however, appear in the club's FA Cup fifth-round defeat at Sunderland
in February 1933.
Sandy MacFarlane was appointed as Blackpool manager for the 1933–34 term, and Grant found himself surplus to requirements, making just five league starts.
He was given more chances in 1934–35 (28 appearances), but this proved to be his (and MacFarlane's) last season with the club. His 220th and final league appearance for Blackpool occurred on 4 May 1935, in a final-day 1–1 draw with Bolton Wanderers
at Bloomfield Road
.
He finished his career back in his native land with Motherwell
, where he continued to play until he retired.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
professional footballer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
. He spent eight years at Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
in the early 1900s, making over 200 Football League appearances for the club. He played as a defender
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
.
Blackpool
Grant, who had been signed from Scottish club East StirlingshireEast Stirlingshire F.C.
East Stirlingshire Football Club is a Scottish football club originating in Falkirk. Founded in 1880, originally as Bainsford Britannia, the club changed to their current name a year later in 1881...
, made his debut for Blackpool eighteen games into their 1927–28 league season, a 2–2 draw at South Shields
South Shields F.C.
South Shields F.C. are a football club based in South Shields, England. They have a long and complicated history, with three distinct incarnations taking the name...
on 10 December 1927. He went on to make seventeen further league appearances that campaign, and one in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
.
The following season, 1928–29, Grant made 27 league appearances. This was under a new manager, Harry Evans, who succeeded Sydney Beaumont
Sydney Beaumont
Sydney Beaumont was an English professional footballer and football manager. He played at both half-back and left-wing during his career....
.
Grant appeared in all but two of Blackpool's league games in 1929–30 as the club won the Division Two
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
championship. Only Jimmy Hampson
Jimmy Hampson
James "Jimmy" Hampson was an English professional footballer. He spent eleven seasons at Blackpool, where he remains record goalscorer with 252 goals in 373 games, and is still regarded as one of the best centre forwards to play for the club.-Club career:Born in Little Hulton, Lancashire, Hampson...
appeared in more games than he did.
In 1930–31, Blackpool's first season in English football's top flight, Grant was ever-present in the club's 42 league games — the only player at the club to claim such an achievement that particular season. He achieved the same feat the following season, 1931–32, sharing the honour with Hampson.
1932–33 saw Grant's appearances limited, with only eighteen in the league to his name, as Blackpool returned to Division Two. He did, however, appear in the club's FA Cup fifth-round defeat at Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
in February 1933.
Sandy MacFarlane was appointed as Blackpool manager for the 1933–34 term, and Grant found himself surplus to requirements, making just five league starts.
He was given more chances in 1934–35 (28 appearances), but this proved to be his (and MacFarlane's) last season with the club. His 220th and final league appearance for Blackpool occurred on 4 May 1935, in a final-day 1–1 draw with Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
at Bloomfield Road
Bloomfield Road
Bloomfield Road is an all-seater football stadium in the English town of Blackpool, Lancashire. It has been the permanent home of Blackpool F.C. since 1901 and is named after the road on which the stadium's main entrance used to stand. The stadium has been in a process of redevelopment since 2000...
.
He finished his career back in his native land with Motherwell
Motherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
, where he continued to play until he retired.