William Davies

In 1923 Claremont Soccer Club swept all before them by winning all three trophies, the first time this had been achieved in the code in Western Australia. Manchester born William Davies was the captain of the team. On 13 October 1923 The Western Chronicle wrote of him, “W. Davies (captain and centre half back): A Lancashire lad, who has captained the Claremont Club with the exception of the years he was away at the war, since 1914. A fine centre half back and a glutton for work, he has enjoyed the whole team’s confidence, and his leadership is shown in the success achieved.” A married man, Davies enlisted late in the war in November 1917. He served in France and returned to Australian in late 1919. Davies led the Claremont club to success in 1923 at the age 36. By 1925 he was still turning out for Claremont and in May of that year represented Perth’s Metropolitan XI against England in their first match of their historic tour. Tragically William Davies died on 20 January 1927 at the age of 40 following an operation at Perth Public Hospital.