Bill Matthews (footballer)
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Ararat, Victoria
East Melbourne, Victoria
| Bill Matthews | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | William Henry Matthews | ||
| Born |
18 May 1876 Ararat, Victoria | ||
| Died |
22 February 1923 (aged 46) East Melbourne, Victoria | ||
| Original team | Ballarat | ||
| Position | Defence | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1894, 1896 | St Kilda (VFA) | 30 (1) | |
| 1897–1902 | St Kilda | 80 (7) | |
| Total | 110 (8) | ||
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1902. | |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
William Henry Matthews (18 May 1876 – 22 February 1923) was an Australian rules footballer who played with St Kilda in the VFA and Victorian Football League (VFL).[1]
The son of William Henry Matthews, and Amy Victoria Matthews (1853-1900), née Hadland,[2] William Henry Matthews was born in Ararat, Victoria on 18 May 1876.
Football
St Kilda (VFA)
He played 30 games, and kicked one goal, with the VFA team St Kilda.
St Kilda (VFL)
He played another 80 games, kicking seven goals, with St Kilda when it moved to become part of the VFL in 1897, making him the first St Kilda player to reach 100 games for the club.
Matthews had the dubious distinction of being the first VFL player ever reported.
In the round 7 match against Carlton on 18 June 1898, he was reported for using abusive language towards the field umpire Ivo Crapp. The charge was upheld at a meeting of the VFL, and although he was only reprimanded,[3] the chairman, Arthur Hewitt Shaw (1859–1939), the VFL President, warned Matthews that, "if he came before the league again for any offence the lesson would not be a caution, but disqualification for life".[4]
Matthews' record of two wins from 80 games is the second worst record in the VFL/AFL;[5] and, in each of the six seasons he played for St Kilda (1897–1902), the team finished last.[6]
