Bill Guttridge facts for kids
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | William Henry Guttridge | ||
| Date of birth | 4 March 1931 | ||
| Place of birth | Darlaston, England | ||
| Date of death | 6 April 2013 (aged 82) | ||
| Place of death | Walsall, England | ||
| Position(s) | Left back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Metroshaft Works | |||
| 1947–1951 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1951–1954 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 6 | (0) |
| 1954–1962 | Walsall | 198 | (0) |
| Stourbridge | |||
| 1962–1964 | Macclesfield Town | 72 | (0) |
| Total | 276 | (0) | |
| Managerial career | |||
| Darlaston | |||
| Macclesfield Town | |||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
William Henry Guttridge (born March 4, 1931 – died April 6, 2013) was an English professional football player and manager. He was known for playing as a defender, especially at left back. Bill played for clubs like Wolverhampton Wanderers and Walsall during his career. After he stopped playing, he became a coach and manager for other teams.
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Bill Guttridge's Football Journey
Bill Guttridge started his football career playing for an amateur team called Metroshaft Works. He played as a left back, which is a defensive position on the left side of the field. In 1947, he joined Wolverhampton Wanderers, a big club in England's top football league.
Playing for Wolves
At Wolverhampton Wanderers, Bill was nicknamed 'Chopper'. He mostly played for the reserve team, which is a team of players who are not usually in the main squad. However, he did play seven games for the first team during his seven years there. This included the 1953–54 season, when Wolves won the league title. His very first game for the main team was on Christmas Day in 1951, in a match against Aston Villa.
Time at Walsall
Bill found it hard to get a regular spot in the Wolves' first team. So, in November 1954, he moved to a nearby club called Walsall. He played over 200 games for Walsall and was often the team captain. He stayed with Walsall for eight years. In 1962, a knee injury, specifically a cartilage injury, meant he had to stop playing football professionally.
After Playing: Coaching and Managing
After his playing career ended, Bill Guttridge didn't leave football. He became a youth coach at Walsall, helping young players develop their skills. He also took on roles as a manager for other football clubs. He managed teams like Darlaston and Macclesfield Town.
Later Life
Bill Guttridge passed away on April 6, 2013, when he was 82 years old. He died at Walsall Manor Hospital after a long illness with Parkinson's disease.
