David Wykes

David Wykes
Personal information
Date of birth 15 September 1867
Place of birth Wolverhampton, England
Date of death 7 October 1895 (aged 28)
Playing position Inside-forward/winger
Youth career
– Bloxwich Strollers
– Wednesbury Town
– Walsall Swifts
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1888–1895 Wolverhampton Wanderers 151 (57)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

David Wykes (15 September 1867 – 1895) was an English footballer who played for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Football League, making his debut in its inaugural season in 1888-1889.[1]

Born in Walsall on 15 September 1867, he played initially for Bloxwich Strollers, then Wednesbury Town and his home club Walsall Swifts before signing for Wolverhampton Wanderers in August 1888.[2]

David Wykes, playing as one of the two winger' made his League debut on 15 September 1888, at Dudley Road, the then home of Wolverhampton Wanderers. The visitors were Preston North End and the home team were defeated 4–0. At the time he was 21 years old; which made him, on the second weekend of League football, Wolverhampton Wanderers' youngest player. He was supplanted by Harry Wood as youngest Wolves player on 6 October 1888. He scored his first League goal on 29 September 1888 at Dudley Road when the visitors were Blackburn Rovers. Wykes scored the second of Wolverhampton Wanderers two goals as the match was drawn 2–2. Wykes appeared in 18 of the 22 League matches played by Wolverhampton Wanderers during the 1888–89 season and scored four goals. Playing as a winger (11 appearances) he was part of a midfield that achieved a big (three-League-goals-or-more) win on three separate occasions. Playing as a forward (seven appearances), was part of a forward-line that scored three–League–goals–or–more–in–a–match on four separate occasions. He also played in the 1889 FA Cup Final as Wolverhampton Wanderers lost to Preston North End 3–0.[3][4]

However, Wykes was on the winning side in 1893, when Wolves beat Everton.[5]

David Wykes played a total of 179 matches ( 157 League appearances) for Wolves, scoring 69 goals (57 League goals). He was a useful, goal–hungry inside–forward, who died in a Wolverhampton hospital of typhoid fever and pneumonia on 7 October 1895, aged just 28, the day after playing against Stoke on 5 October 1895. His son, also named David, also died young, in a motorcycle accident in Walsall. Lithe and subtle, his mobility and enthusiasm was sorely missed by Wolverhampton Wanderers.[5][3][2]

References

  1. ↑ Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. SoccerData. p. 289. ISBN 1-899468-67-6.
  2. 1 2 Matthews, Tony (2001). The Wolves Who's Who. Britespot. p. 229. ISBN 1-904103-01-4.
  3. 1 2 "English National Football Archive". Retrieved 2018-04-13. (registration & fee required)
  4. ↑ Metcalf, Mark (2013). The Origins of the Football League The First Season 1888/89. Stroud: Amberley. p. 46. ISBN 978 1 4456 1881 4.
  5. 1 2 "Wolves FA Cup winner who died tragically young". Black Country Bugle. 2011-10-13. Retrieved 2017-08-27.
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