Billy Bassett, William Isiah Bassett, was one of 6 children born to a Midland coal mining family on 27th January 1869. Frail he did not think he would be tough enough to play professional football. His early playing period was with West Bromwich Strollers (1884-5) and then Old Church FC for a year, He then signed for West Bromwich Albion in 1886 staying with them until 1899 having played 261 games, scoring 61 goals from the wing.He played 16 times for England between 1888-1896 scoring 8 goals.
His league debut was against Stoke at Victoria Park on the 8th September 1887. During his time with the Baggies he won two FA Cup medals in 1888 beating the very professional Preston NE 2-1 (team below-Bassett in middle of front) and then in 1892 he played in the first Cup Final to use nets. En route to the Preston final WBA beat the Old Carthusians in Round Six.
He was a runner up in 1887, losing to Aston Villa.
After his playing career he became a director of the club and chairman saving it in 1905 from bankruptcy, rescuing the club by fund raising. In 1910 he paid the players "summer wages" out of his own pocket.
He helped develop the FA and the Football League, and in his 29 years as Chairman he admits he never signed a Scot!
In 1998 he was listed as one the FL 100 legends and in 2004 voted as one of WBA's greatest players.
On 24th April 1894 he became the first WBA player ever to be sent off when he was dismissed for "unparliamentary language" in a friendly against Millwall.
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