Lionel Watson

Lionel Watson (1881 – 1945) was an English footballer who played as an inside-forward or centre-forward in the Football League, primarily for Blackburn Rovers. He also played for Manchester City and Blackpool and spent three seasons with Southern League club West Ham United.[1]

Lionel Watson
Personal information
Date of birth 1881
Place of birth Southport, Lancashire, England
Date of death 1945 (aged 63–64)
Place of death Blackpool, Lancashire, England
Position(s) Forward
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Laurel Rovers
High Park
Southport Central
1901–1902 Manchester City 1 (0)
1902–1905 Blackburn Rovers 55 (18)
1905–1908 West Ham United 76 (26)
1908–1909 Blackpool 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Watson was born Southport and began his career with Southport Central. He spent a season as a reserve team player for Manchester City and retained his amateur status.[2] He made his only League appearance in a 5–0 defeat to Sheffield United in November 1901.[3]

Watson signed as professional with Blackburn Rovers, where he scored 18 goals in 55 appearances during a three-year spell.[2]

Watson then dropped down to the Southern League Division One to play for West Ham United. The Irons had signed Watson along with Blackburn teammates Harry Hindle and Fred Blackburn and he made his debut on the opening day of the 1905–06 season, against Swindon Town.[4]

He played his final game for West Ham on 17 April 1908, against New Brompton, and left the club with 80 appearances and 27 goals to his name.[5]

After leaving Upton Park, Watson returned to Lancashire and joined Blackpool, where he made a single appearance in 1908–09.[1] After retirement from football, he continued to live in Blackpool and worked as an auctioneer.[4]

References
  1. Joyce, Michael (2012) [2002]. Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: SoccerData. p. 304. ISBN 978-1-905891-61-0.
  2. Hogg, Tony (2005). Who's Who of West Ham United. Profile Sports Media. p. 211. ISBN 1 903135 50 8.
  3. Tony Matthews (15 August 2013). Manchester City Player by Player. Amberley Publishing. pp. 373–374. ISBN 978-1-4456-1737-4.
  4. Marsh, Steve. "Lionel WATSON ... (1905 - 1908)". theyflysohigh.co.uk. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  5. "Lionel Watson". westhamstats.info. Retrieved 18 April 2018.


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