Billy Meredith

William Henry Meredith was born in Chirk, Wales, on July 30, 1874. He worked as a coal miner in his youth and became one of the first great stars of British football, playing as a right winger. He was famous for playing with a toothpick in his mouth. He played for Manchester City from 1894 onwards and was FA Cup champion in 1904. In 1905, he was suspended for a year after being accused of offering money to an opponent, a scandal that led to his departure from the club. In 1906, he transferred to Manchester United. At United, he won the English Championship in 1908 and 1911 and the FA Cup in 1909. He was also one of the founders of the English footballers' association, created in 1907, which defended the rights of athletes. For the Wales national team, he played 48 matches and scored 11 goals. He returned to Manchester City in 1921 and played his last game in 1924, at age 49, in an FA Cup semifinal. He died on April 19, 1958, in Manchester.