Birth and Early Life

William John (‘Billy’) Wedlock was born on 28 October 1880, in Bedminster Bristol. From an early age he aspired to be a professional footballer, and he had an extended trial with his local club, Bristol City, when he was 20 years old. At that stage he failed to make the grade, and with his young wife he moved to South Wales where he played semi-professional football for Aberdare from 1901-5.

Billy in his football kit

Career with Bristol City and England

Clearly Wedlock’s game developed or his talents were recognised belatedly because in 1905 he returned to Bristol City, established a regular place in the team and became captain in 1907. This coincided with a remarkable period of club success. Inspired by Wedlock, Bristol City were runaway champions of the old Second Division in 1905/6. They then achieved the commendable feat of finishing runners-up in the First Division the following season, 1906/7. In 1908/9, Bristol City reached the Cup Final where they lost narrowly (1-0) to Manchester United. Wedlock’s talents secured national recognition. For several years he was England’s first-choice centre-half, winning 26 caps and scoring in his final match against Wales in 1914.

What makes Wedlock’s success remarkable is that he was a short man (5’5” high) and relatively stout, so that one of his nicknames was ‘Fatty’ Wedlock – not the physique we would now associate with a centre-half. But he had prodigious energy and was known to pop up all over the field, harrying and tackling the opposition: hence his second nickname of ‘India Rubber Man’. His tackles were clean and fair, and he was known for his sportsmanship and modesty.

Bristol City’s success did not last; they were relegated in 1910/11. Wedlock could have moved to other ‘bigger name’ clubs, but he stayed loyal to his home team before finally retiring at the age of 40 in 1920. He is easily the most capped player in the club’s history. John Atyeo, Bristol City’s second most famous player who was a prolific goal scorer in the 1950s and early 1960s, comes second with six caps.

Later Life

After retirement Wedlock retained a close connection with Bristol City because he became licensee of The Star Inn (later renamed Wedlock’s Pub) opposite Ashton Gate. He remained in that post until his death at the age of 84 on 25 January 1965. The East End at Ashton Gate was named the Wedlock Stand in his honour, before being demolished in 2014 as part of a major stadium development. His pub was also demolished in the face of considerable local opposition.

Grave

Wedlock is buried in a simple grave in the central Coombe Bottom section of the cemetery, alongside three members of his family: his first wife Rosina, who died in 1915 aged 35; their daughter, also called Rosina, who died in 1930 aged 30; and his second wife Ada Louisa, who outlived him by 12 years, dying in 1978 aged 87. His grandson Fred was a popular folk singer and comedian.

There is no mention that Billy Wedlock was a footballer on his gravestone, but he was a Bristol City legend who rightly lives long in the club’s memories.