William Oakley (footballer)

William John Oakley (27 April 1873 — 20 September 1934) was an English footballer who, during the Victorian era, played as a full-back for the renowned amateur clubs, the Corinthians and Casuals, and captained the England team once, in a match against Ireland in 1901. In 1894, he was also the English long jump champion.

Born at Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Oakley was educated at Shrewsbury School and Christ Church, Oxford.[1]

Oakley played, in total, 121 games for Corinthian FC, in which he scored just 1 goal. Playing games against all the great professional sides of the era, Oakley was an assured defender whose peak years for the club were the 1898/99 season and the 1899/1900 season, during which he rarely missed a match.

Oakley was awarded a total of 16 England caps between 1895 and 1901, and won his only game as captain by the score of 3–0.

Oakley also played cricket at club level for Shrewsbury[1] and appeared at county level for Shropshire in one match in 1900 when he made 20 runs.[2]

He was a close friend of the England centre forward G. O. Smith, with whom he worked as a schoolmaster, and eventually as joint headmaster, of Ludgrove School after retiring from football.

He died at Carlisle, Cumberland, in September 1934 aged 61.[1]