A towering full-back Bill Bayley was, because of his size, known as Big Bill and was recruited by his local club Clapton in 1904 after giving an excellent performance in the London Junior Cup Final at Clapton’s Old Spotted Dog ground. He played more than 10 seasons with the London club and appeared in three Amateur Cup finals. He was on the losing side when beaten by West Hartlepool in his first season but he went on to win two winners’ medals, firstly in 1906 when Clapton beat Stockton 2-1, and in 1909 when they thrashed Eston United 6-0. Bayley won county honours with London and in 1908 was captain of the South against the North in the international trial match at Chelsea. Although he never gained an international cap he was one of the non-travelling reserves for the 1908 Olympics. After ending his paying days Bill served the club as treasurer and in 1920-21 was club President. According to the 1911 Census, Bayley’s nationality was listed as “Absolute Cockney”.
Great Britain