Billy Garraty

William Garraty (6 October 1878 – 6 May 1931) was a footballer in the early years of professional football in England, who played for Aston Villa from August 1897 to September 1908. Before playing for Villa he played for Aston Shakespeare. Garraty was capped once by England appearing in a game against Wales in 1903.[1]

For the American inventor who worked at Disney, see William Garity.

Billy Garraty
Personal information
Full name William Garraty
Date of birth (1878-10-06)6 October 1878
Place of birth Saltley, England
Date of death 6 May 1931(1931-05-06) (aged 52)
Place of death Perry Barr, England
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
Aston Shakespeare
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1897–1908 Aston Villa 224 (96)
1908 Leicester Fosse 6 (0)
West Bromwich Albion 53 (22)
1910–1911 Lincoln City
National team
1903 England 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Career

Billy Garraty made his league debut for Aston Villa during the 1897/98 season but made just one other appearance that year and remained a bit part player as Aston Villa won the title the following year. Garraty became a first team regular in the 1899/1900 season as Aston Villa retained their title thanks to his league-leading 27 league goals - only Pongo Waring scored more in a single season.

Garraty made 41 appearances in the 1900–01 season, more than any other player.[2] He went on to make 224 league appearances for the Villans, scoring 96 league goals, as well as helping his side to FA Cup success in the 1905 FA Cup Final with his Man of the Match display. During his time at Villa Billy was regarded as one of the great utility players of the game despite his ability to score goals.

In 1906 Garraty lost his place in the Villa line up and made only a handful of appearances before signing for Leicester Fosse in 1908. Garraty failed to find the net in six appearances and the Foxes suffered relegation at the end of the season.

The remainder of Garraty's league career was spent in the second division with two years at West Bromwich Albion followed by his final season before retirement in 1910/11 with Lincoln City.

Garraty is the great-great grandfather of footballer Jack Grealish, who plays for, and is current captain of Aston Villa.[3]

References
  1. "englandstats.com - A Complete Database of England Internationals Since 1872". englandstats.com.
  2. AVFC History: 1900-01 season
  3. "Aston Villa: This 1905 FA Cup winner is related to a current Villa Star - find out who". Birmingham Mail. 17 April 2015. Retrieved 19 April 2015.


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