Billy James (Australian footballer)
Australian rules footballer, born 1900
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
William Roy James (10 May 1900 – 27 December 1966[1]) was an Australian rules footballer who played one game with the Richmond Football Club in the Victorian Football League—the 1920 VFL Grand Final.
Fryerstown, Victoria
South Melbourne, Victoria
| William James | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | William Roy James | ||
| Born |
10 May 1900 Fryerstown, Victoria | ||
| Died |
27 December 1966 (aged 66) South Melbourne, Victoria | ||
| Original team | Kyabram | ||
| Debut | Grand Final, 2 October 1920, Richmond vs. Collingwood, at MCG | ||
| Height | 165 cm (5 ft 5 in) | ||
| Weight | 60 kg (132 lb) | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1920 | Richmond | 1 (1) | |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1920. | |||
| Career highlights | |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
James came from Kyabram and was the eldest of seven brothers[2] and after playing in their 1919[3] Goulburn Valley Football League premiership team and then after "starring" in Kyabram's losing 1920 first semi final match,[4] James played his only VFL game in Richmond's 1920 VFL grand final premiership side.[5] He helped Richmond earn the Tigers their inaugural VFL premiership, with his only goal late in the last quarter sealing the victory.[6][7]
James was retrospectively awarded a Richmond FC life membership for his contribution in 2017.[8]
According to legend, James was accidentally shot in the foot whilst out hunting prior to the commencement of the 1921 season, an injury which supposedly ended his football career.[9] However, he actually returned to Kyabram where he had farming responsibilities, and played with Kyabram for several more years, including their 1921[10] and 1922[11] Goulburn Valley Football League premiership teams, before the hunting injury, which actually occurred in January, 1925.[12]
James was elected as the secretary of the Kyabram Football Club in 1926, a position he held until 1928, after the shooting injury ended his playing career.[13]
