44 William Stephenson

Biography

Full back William Stephenson joined Hull City from his hometown junior club Whitburn FC in May 1907 after a month’s trial. He made his Tigers’ debut on Boxing Day 1907, and for the next few weeks vied with the more experienced George Hedley for the right back shirt. In March 1908 Stephenson won that battle and made the berth his own, missing only four senior games over the next 13 months. William fell out of favour towards the end of the 1908/09 season and was used sparingly by manager Ambrose Langley during the following season with Tommy Nevins preferred in the City defence.

Stephenson left the Tigers in July 1910 and joined First Division Tottenham Hotspur, but his time at White Hart Lane lasted only one season and was confined to reserve football. In September 1911 he returned to the North East and signed for Wingate Albion, a Durham coalfields team competing in the North Eastern League. In August 1913 he moved to North Eastern League rivals Shildon Athletic, for whom he played until 1915 when football was suspended for World War One.

Stephenson served both the Middlesex Regiment (specifically the 17th Service Battalion also known as the Footballers’ Battalion) and later the Queen’s Regiment during the War. In August 1919 he returned to the professional game and re-signed for Hull City, but played second fiddle to the future City stalwart Matt “Ginger” Bell duirng his return season. Stephenson spent 1920/21 season at Hartlepools United and made 24 appearances, but no further records of his career or life can be found after that time.

Details

Nationality: England
Date/Place of Birth: Q4 1888, Whitburn
Hull City First Game: 26 December 1907, Lincoln City A (Division Two), 19 years old
Hull City Final Game: 13 March 1920, Huddersfield Town A (Division Two), 32 years old

Clubs

Whitburn FC, Hull City (1907-1910), Tottenham Hotspur (1910-1911), Wingate Albion (1911-1913), Shildon Athletic (1913-1915), Hull City (1919-1920), Hartlepools United (1920-1921)

Hull City Record

Career: 66 apps, 0 goals

William Stephenson
SeasonLGE
App
LGE
Gls
FAC
App
FAC
Gls
FLC
App
FLC
Gls
EUR
App
EUR
Gls
OTH
App
OTH
Gls
1907/08120--------
1908/0928020------
1909/10150--------
1919/2090--------

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