Player Profile

William Edward Watkins played six times for Wales and seven times for Great Britain in his career. Born around 1910, he played rugby union for Cross Keys before turning professional in June 1931 with Salford for a £350 fee. Despite being told he would never play again after sustaining a broken left leg in 1925, Billy fought back to full fitness and in 1929 he made a comeback in a Welsh RU trial match. He was spotted by the legendary Lance Todd, who had travelled to Glamorgan to watch a potential signing play when instead it was Billy who impressed as he lined up for the Glamorgan County side against Worcestershire. Initially Billy didn't want to sign, but he was convinced by the money. Lance gave him £350 in cash on the spot and also gave his mother £50. Billy formed a partnership with Emlyn Jenkins and the two of them were considered the greatest half-back partnership in Salford's history. In Billy’s very first season he played a major role in bringing Salford the clubs first ever Lancashire Cup win. In total, he helped Salford to League Championship wins in 1932/33, 1936/37 and 1938/39, a Challenge Cup win at Wembley in 1938 and Lancashire Cup wins in 1931, 1934, 1935 and 1936. They were also Lancashire League champions in 1932/33, 1933/34, 1934/35, 1936/37 and 1938/39. In 1934, he was one of the players who successfully toured in France with Salford, during which the Salford team earned the name "Les Diables Rouges", the Red Devils. In total he made 435 appearances for Salford, scoring 14 tries. In addition to his career at Salford, he made a guest appearance for Oldham in 1940 and played for Belle Vue Rangers from 1946-48. The grandfather of the cricketer, Ryan Watkins, he died in 1972.