10 Facts About Billy Bassett

William Isiah Bassett was an English association footballer, director, and club chairman who served West Bromwich Albion for over half a century.

Billy Bassett scored his debut League goal on 15 September 1888 at the County Ground, against Derby County.

Billy Bassett played 261 Football League games for the club, scoring 61 goals, and he won 16 England caps and scored 8 goals, becoming one of the game's earliest celebrities.

On 28 April 1894, Billy Bassett became the first ever Albion player to be sent off: he was dismissed for using "unparliamentary language" in a friendly match away at Millwall.

Billy Bassett became an Albion director in 1905, following the resignation of the previous board in its entirety.

The club was in deep financial trouble and had had a writ served upon them by their bank, but Billy Bassett and returning chairman Harry Keys rescued the club, aided by local fund-raising activities.

Billy Bassett became chairman in 1908, and helped the club to avoid bankruptcy once more in 1910 by paying the players' summer wages from his own pocket.

The strength of England's rivalry with Scotland had led Billy Bassett to develop a "distaste" for Scots during his playing days, and throughout his 29-year chairmanship Albion did not sign a single Scottish player.

Billy Bassett died in West Bromwich on 8 April 1937 at the age of 68.

Billy Bassett taught me a lot and I must admit that I was tearful for most of the first half following the minute's silence before the kickoff.