Bill Barraclough

Born in Hull, Barraclough began his career at Bridlington Town before signing for hometown club Hull City at the age of 16. He made nine Football League appearances while at Boothferry Park, and he had done enough to convince Wolverhampton Wanderers to sign him in 1928. Barraclough made his Wolves debut on 15 December 1928 in a 3–2 win against Clapham Orient but could only manage three appearances during the 1928–29 season. However, he was a virtual ever-present when Wolves won the Second Division championship in the 1931–32 season, scoring seven times. The wide-man remained a first choice player as the club consolidated in the top flight over the next two seasons before leaving to join Chelsea in October 1934. Following his Chelsea debut on 3 November 1934, Barraclough became an unpopular figure with the West London faithful, with his intricate ball skills occasionally being displayed at the cost of directness, often finding himself being barracked by some members of the crowd. Despite this, he made 74 league appearances in two and a half years at Stamford Bridge, scoring eight times, additionally notching three goals in seven FA Cup outings. With a £2,500 price tag, Barraclough moved to newly formed Southern League club Colchester United for their inaugural season in 1937, making his debut in a 0–0 draw with Yeovil & Petters United on 11 September 1937 at Layer Road. However, Barraclough will go down in history as the first-ever Colchester player to be sent off when he…

During the war, Barraclough was based in both Hull and Colchester, serving with the RADC in the latter. He returned to Hull to work as a clerk at the Port of Hull and later worked as a fruit merchant before his death on 6 August 1969.

Wolverhampton Wanderers 1931–32 Football League Second Division winner (level 2) All honours referenced by: