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.
| William James | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | William Roy James | ||
| Date of birth | 10 May 1900 | ||
| Place of birth | Fryerstown, Victoria | ||
| Date of death | 27 December 1966 (aged 66) | ||
| Place of death | South Melbourne, Victoria | ||
| Original team(s) | 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]
James was retrospectively awarded a Richmond FC life membership for his contribution in 2017.[7]
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.[8] However, he actually returned to Kyabram where he had farming responsibilities, and played with Kyabram for several more years, including their 1921[9] and 1922[10] Goulburn Valley Football League premiership teams, before the hunting injury, which actually occurred in January, 1925.[11]
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.[12]
References
edit- ^ "William James - Player Bio". Australian Football. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
- ^ "1937 - Footballing Brothers". Trove. Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954). 11 September 1937. p. 72. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
- ^ "1919 - Kyabram win the premiership". Kyabram Free Press and Rodney and Deakin Shire Advocate (Vic. : 1894 - 1955). 26 September 1919. p. 3. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
- ^ "1920 - THE FIRST SEMI-FINAL: SHEPPART0N (10.9) BEAT KYABRAM (10.5)". Kyabram Free Press and Rodney and Deakin Shire Advocate (Vic. : 1894 - 1955). 17 September 1920. p. 5. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
- ^ "1920 - Premiers at Last!". Richmond Guardian (Vic. : 1884 - 1885; 1894 - 1897; 1900 - 1930). 9 October 1920. p. 3. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
- ^ "League Final". The Herald. No. 13, 903. Victoria, Australia. 2 October 1920. p. 3 (SPORTING EDITION). Retrieved 18 March 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Richmond FC - Life Memers". Richmond FC. 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
- ^ Collins, Ben (11 February 2018). "Legendary Grand Final story shot down as myth". AFL Media. Telstra Media. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
- ^ "1921 - Kyabram Premiers". Kyabram Free Press and Rodney and Deakin Shire Advocate (Vic. : 1894 - 1955). 16 September 1921. p. 3. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
- ^ "1922 - Kyabram Premiers". Kyabram Free Press and Rodney and Deakin Shire Advocate (Vic. : 1894 - 1955). 15 September 1922. p. 3. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
- ^ "1925 - A gun accident: Mr. W James injured". Kyabram Free Press and Rodney and Deakin Shire Advocate (Vic. : 1894 - 1955). 16 January 1925. p. 2. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
- ^ "1926 - Annual Meeting: Mr W. James Secretary". Kyabram Free Press and Rodney and Deakin Shire Advocate (Vic. : 1894 - 1955). 1 April 1926. p. 4. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
- Hogan P: The Tigers Of Old, Richmond FC, Melbourne 1996
External links
edit- Billy James's playing statistics from AFL Tables
- Bill James profile via TigerlandArchieve
- 1920 VFL Premiers: Richmond FC team photo
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