Bill Asprey

Stoke City

Born in Wolverhampton, Asprey joined Stoke City on amateur terms from his local club Wolverhampton Wanderers in May 1953. He made his first-team debut in the 1953–54 season under the management of Frank Taylor after turning professional at the age of 17. He played a further three Second Division games in 1955–56, before making nine appearances in 1956–57, and then breaking into the first-team with 28 appearances in 1957–58. He scored his first senior goal on 9 September 1957 in a 5–3 home defeat to Bristol Rovers. He made 44 appearances in the 1958–59 campaign, scoring six goals, including one in a 4–3 win over Liverpool at Anfield. During the campaign, he played in five positions: right-back, right-half, centre-half, inside-right and inside-left. He played 38 times in 1959–60, before new manager Tony Waddington began to play him in an attacking role in 1960–61. During the campaign, he scored seven goals in 40 games, scoring twice in a 9–0 thrashing of Plymouth Argyle and hitting a hat-trick past Charlton Athletic in a 5–3 home win on 16 January 1961. He made 47 appearances in 1961–62, scoring four goals. The "Potters" were crowned champions of the Second Division in 1962–63, and Asprey was a vital part of the club's success, making 44 appearances in league and cup competitions. He played at right full-back behind Stanley Matthews on the wing. He was limited to 29 First Division appearances in 1963–64, but managed to pick up a League Cup runners-up medal.…

Asprey was versatile and appeared in almost every outfield position for Stoke. He made most of his appearances at full-back, despite his tall and heavy frame (6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) and 12 stone (170 lb; 76 kg)). He was noted for his tough-tackling ability.

After retiring from playing, Asprey joined Sheffield Wednesday's coaching staff in February 1969. In February 1970 he joined Coventry City as Noel Cantwell's assistant. In a training session at Highfield Road he came up with the idea of the famous donkey-kick free-kick routine that was executed by Willie Carr and scored by Ernie Hunt in a league game against Everton in October 1970. This was immediately outlawed due to the fact the ball was touched twice. In 1972, he joined Don Howe at West Bromwich Albion. He later coached at Wolverhampton Wanderers before taking charge of the Rhodesian National Team from May 1975 to January 1978.

Oxford United

Asprey was appointed manager of Oxford United in July 1979, and led the club to 17th in the Third Division in 1979–80. He was sacked in December 1980, and Oxford finished the 1980–81 season in 14th place under the stewardship of Ian Greaves. In December 1980, Asprey was appointed coach to the Syria national team.

Stoke City

Asprey returned to Stoke City as assistant manager to Richie Barker in February 1982, whom he succeeded in December 1983. Barker had installed the new tactical idea of 'Position of Maximum Opportunity' despite not having the players to suit the system, as he bypassed the team's strongest area in midfield, and he left the club with just three wins in 24 games. Asprey was initially successful in keeping Stoke from relegation in 1983–84 after he spent "almost every penny that the club had left in…

Stoke City

Football League Second Division: 1962–63 Football League Cup runner-up: 1963–64