Ryan Giggs is often referred to as the "Welsh Wizard". His style of taking on opposition defences and lightning sprints down the wing resemble the classic wingers of football's early days. However the first Manchester United Welsh Wizard was dazzling on the wing almost 90 years before Giggs and his name was Billy Meredith.
Meredith was a highly controversial player from an era in which Manchester United first tasted success. It is fair to say he was the Eric Cantona of the day but with the playing style of Ryan Giggs or George Best. His United career lasted from 1907-21( including war years). His bursts of speed and mazy runs down the wing coupled with his deadly crosses earned him the title the "Welsh Wizard" and made him the undoubted star of the team and a hero with fans. Meredith was also nicknamed "Old Skinny" for his lean, slim, frame.
After playing for Northwich Victoria and Wrexham he signed for Manchester City in 1894 and quickly made a name for himself. At City he won the Second Division title twice in 1899 and 1903 and captained the team to an F.A. Cup Final victory in 1904. It seemed he could do no wrong but in 1905 a bribery scandal erupted - the FA accused him of bribing an Aston Villa player.
Meredith denied the charge but the Football Association banned him and the entire City team for a year. Eventually the ban was quashed and Meredith stunned the English football world by signing for City's rapidly emerging cross town rivals - Manchester United
Under the management of Ernest Mangall, one of the club's great managers, Meredith was instrumental in helping United to glory. He won two League Championship medals in 1908 and 1911, and an FA Cup winners' medal in 1909. When English footballers formed a players Union in 1907 many players were forced to leave it by the disapproving FA but Meredith refused to follow and stuck to his principles.
Meredith, alongside United half-back Charlie Roberts, was a central figure in the Union's formation and joined "The Outcasts FC", a group of United players who wouldn't adhere to the FA rule. Eventually he was successful when the FA caved in 1910 and allowed the Union to exist - it was a sweet victory for Meredith and his fellow dissenters. World War One broke up the fine United side in 1915, and he was unable to recapture his former heights on his return after the war.
Surprisingly Meredith returned to Man City in 1921 to finish his career. He went on to become the oldest international of all-time when he played for Wales at the extraordinary age of 48 and played in an FA Cup semi-final at the age of 49. No footage exists of Meredith in action, merely newspaper accounts and reports. His name is rarely mentioned today but when you analyse his football career there can be no doubt he was one of the true giants of his day and has a deserved place in the hall of legends.
Meredith was a highly controversial player from an era in which Manchester United first tasted success. It is fair to say he was the Eric Cantona of the day but with the playing style of Ryan Giggs or George Best. His United career lasted from 1907-21( including war years). His bursts of speed and mazy runs down the wing coupled with his deadly crosses earned him the title the "Welsh Wizard" and made him the undoubted star of the team and a hero with fans. Meredith was also nicknamed "Old Skinny" for his lean, slim, frame.
After playing for Northwich Victoria and Wrexham he signed for Manchester City in 1894 and quickly made a name for himself. At City he won the Second Division title twice in 1899 and 1903 and captained the team to an F.A. Cup Final victory in 1904. It seemed he could do no wrong but in 1905 a bribery scandal erupted - the FA accused him of bribing an Aston Villa player.
Meredith denied the charge but the Football Association banned him and the entire City team for a year. Eventually the ban was quashed and Meredith stunned the English football world by signing for City's rapidly emerging cross town rivals - Manchester United
Under the management of Ernest Mangall, one of the club's great managers, Meredith was instrumental in helping United to glory. He won two League Championship medals in 1908 and 1911, and an FA Cup winners' medal in 1909. When English footballers formed a players Union in 1907 many players were forced to leave it by the disapproving FA but Meredith refused to follow and stuck to his principles.
Meredith, alongside United half-back Charlie Roberts, was a central figure in the Union's formation and joined "The Outcasts FC", a group of United players who wouldn't adhere to the FA rule. Eventually he was successful when the FA caved in 1910 and allowed the Union to exist - it was a sweet victory for Meredith and his fellow dissenters. World War One broke up the fine United side in 1915, and he was unable to recapture his former heights on his return after the war.
Surprisingly Meredith returned to Man City in 1921 to finish his career. He went on to become the oldest international of all-time when he played for Wales at the extraordinary age of 48 and played in an FA Cup semi-final at the age of 49. No footage exists of Meredith in action, merely newspaper accounts and reports. His name is rarely mentioned today but when you analyse his football career there can be no doubt he was one of the true giants of his day and has a deserved place in the hall of legends.
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