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Players Index Page Last Updated
17 March 2024
 
 
William Brindle Darwen FC

2 appearances, 0 goals

P 2 W 1 D 0 L 1 F 7: A
7
50% successful
1880

captain:
none
minutes played:
165

Timeline

Pic courtesy of SFA museum William Brindle
  After extensive research, especially by Andy Mitchell, it was found that many of the footballing Brindle's in the late nineteenth century were in fact a W. Brindle. A contemporary source, the Paper Maker and British Paper Trade Journal in 1916 gives him a name, William.
Birth Tuesday, 24 May 1853 in Over Darwen, Blackburn, Lancashire
registered in Blackburn April-June 1853.
 

According to the 1861 census, William is the fifth of six children to Thomas and Peggy (née Ward), living at 8 Hollins Bank in Lower Darwen. His father is a rag bleacher at the paper mill.

 

According to the 1871 census, William is a labourer and is still with his parents, along with his younger sister Ann, living at Hollins Row. His father is still a rag bleacher.

 

According to the 1881 census, William is working in the paper mill and living at home, still with his parents and his sister Ann and her new husband, Henry Haworth. They all live at 18 Hollins Row. His father is still a rag bleacher.
According to New York City Passenger Lists, Wm Brindle, a paper maker, travelled to New York on board the Arabic, sometime in 1887.

Marriage to Mary Ann Long, 5 October 1889 in Hilliadsville, Connecticut. Mary was born in Ireland.
registered in Massachusetts Marriages Town & Vital Records 1620-1988
Children William and Mary Brindle had two daughters together. Ethel May (b.3 August 1890) and Esther Grace (b.2 January 1895).
Naturalised Brindle became a naturalised citizen of the USA on 14 October 1896 He was living at 25 Clark Street in Holyoke in Hampden County, Massachusetts.
According to the 1900 US Census, William and Mary are living with their nine year old daughter, Ethel and Esther who is five years old, living at 25 Clark Street in Holyoke. William is a paper maker.
"WILLIAM BRINDLE, who was so well known as one of the best full-backs in Association football, and who was a tower of strength to the Darwen Football Club, left the service of Messrs. Potter & Co., Hollins, a short time ago to seek his fortune in America as a paper maker, and has now taken full charge as manager of the Spring Lawn Mills, Pennsylvania". - September 1916, Paper Maker and British Paper Trade Journal, as traced by Andy Mitchell.
Death Sunday, 16 September 1900 in Holyoke, Massachusetts
aged 47 years 116 days registered in Connecticut Death Records Index.
Funeral at Buckland Cemetery (left), Manchester, Hartford Count in Connecticut.
  Mary Brindle died 17 February 1916 and is buried with her late husband
Source Andy Mitchell, Bob Pickett &
Playing Career
Club(s) Began with junior clubs in the Darwen area before joining the town's football club, Darwen FC. Brindle joined Blackburn Olympic FC in the mid-80's.
Club honours Lancashire Cup winners 1879-80;
Individual honours None
Height/Weight not known
Source Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990].
England Career
Player number One of five who became the seventieth players (71) to appear for England.
Position(s) Left/right back;
First match No. 10, 13 March 1880, Scotland 5 England 4, a friendly match at Hampden Park, Hampden Terrace, Glasgow, 26 years 294 days.
Last match No. 11, 15 March 1880, Wales 2 England 3, a friendly match at The Racecourse, Mold Road, Wrexham, aged 26 years 297 days.
Individual honours The North (one appearance, March 1880)
Distinctions Died seventeen days after Harry Lilley
Beyond England
Emigrated to United States with his successful papermaking business, becoming manager of a firm in Pennsylvania.


The Numbers
parties Appearances minutes captain
2 2 165 0 none
The minutes here given can only ever be a guideline and cannot therefore be accurate, only an approximation.
P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
2 1 0 1 7 7 =0 0 0 3.5 3.5 50 =0
Both of his matches were friendly matches and played at an away venue

Match History
 
 Club: Darwen F.C. - two full appearances (165 min) F.A. Committee - two full appearances (165 min)x

Age 26 trial  
one appearance - The South vs. The North, 6 March 1880

apps match match details comp res rundown pos

1 10 13 March 1880 - Scotland 5 England 4
Hampden Park, Glasgow
Fr AL   lb

one of five who became the seventieth (72) players to appear for England
the first player from Darwen FC to represent England

2 11 15 March 1880 - Wales 2 England 3
The Racecourse, Wrexham
Fr AW (3-0) 75 rb
    
It had long been believed that Brindle scored a goal in this match, but a Welsh newspaper report states a Hibbort own goal.

  

 
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