Willie Layton


William Layton was an English footballer who played as a full back in the late 1890s and early 1900s. Born in Gornal, Staffordshire, he played for Blackwell Colliery and Chesterfield Town before joining The Wednesday during the 1897–98 season. In almost 12 years with The Wednesday, Layton made more than 300 appearances in The Football League and was part of the team that won the First Division title in 1902–03 and 1903–04. He was also in the team that won the FA Cup in 1906–07 and was once selected to play in a Football League XI. He made his final appearance for the club early in the 1909–10 season and later left to join Whitwell St Lawrence.

Family

William was the brother of footballer Edward Layton, who played for Sheffield United, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough. In 1912 the brothers left England to travel across Australia, where they played for a number of clubs. Whilst there Edward was 'capped' in a match between New South Wales and Queensland. They returned to England in 1914.

Honours

Club

;The Wednesday