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This might get me excommunicated from the forum, but I suspect a distant family connection to Billy Townley, who was born in Blackburn 1866 and played for the Blackburn Rovers and later coached teams on the Continent. The internet sources related to Billy Townley do not describe his family, but his birthdate and place of birth and his occupation as a school teacher seem to conform. Does anyone have any further information and could direct me to other sources?

Brad

Hi Brad, I could look for the census returns if you don't already have them.

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.

Thanks, Gloria, for the offer. I have located a William Townley in the 1871-1901 Census records (son of Dan Townley) living in Blackburn, who I think may be the same Billy Townley. He is listed as an assistant schoolmaster and school teacher in the 1891 and 1901 census, which (according to some accounts that I have read) was Billy Townley's day job. I have yet to cinch the connection between the Billy Townley - football player and coach to the same William Townley in the Census.

Brad

The William Townley on the 1901 census was married to Fanny. This is probably that marriage.

Lancashire Marriage indexes for the years: 1894
TOWNLEY William m CHADWICK Fanny at Blackburn, St Peter. Records at Blackburn CE136/4/82

Might there be a biography of Billy somewhere that gives the name of his wife?

I searched the 1911 census but couldn't find the family who were on 1901. Which would fit with someone who was working abroad.

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Maureen
If you can't fight, wear a big 'at

With almost certaintiy, it would appear that William Townley, the first person to score a hat trick in the FA Cup and third cousin of my great grandfather, is indeed Billy Townley, who played for the Blackburn Rovers and later was a pioneering coach for teams in Europe.

I was able to obtain the birth certificate that shows a birth date of 14-Feb 1866, which conforms with the short bios I have found on the internet.

Birth Cert details below:

Who: William Townley
Birth Date: 14- February 1866
Where: 64 Lark Hill Terrace, Blackburn, Lancashire
Father: Dan Townley, Iron Turner
Mother: Elizabeth Townley, formerly Holden
Registered: 24-March 1866
Registrar: William Barlow Fairbrother
Source: 1866 Vol. 8e , Page 331

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Townley

A result then--well done.

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.