'Perhaps the most talked of player in the world - a leviathan at 22 stone with the agility of a bantam.'
The Men Who Made Football, 1904

Born at Dawley, Shropshire, and registered at birth as William Henry Foulk, he was known for most of his life as William Henry Foulke and at his death as William Henry Foulkes. Like his name, he got - bigger and contemporary overweight footballers are still compared to 'Fatty' Foulke¹.

William Foulke was a cricketer, playing four first-class matches for Derbyshire in 1900, but it is as a goalkeeper that he is remembered to this day and he was certainly a larger than life character.

Filling the goal

Also known as 'Bill', 'Billy' and 'Willie', Foulke first played in goal for Sheffield United in 1894 at the age of 19 and weighing in at around 15 stones. His height has been variously given as between 6 ft 2 ins and 6 ft 6 ins and in his day, he towered over his fellow players². He is cited in the Guinness Book of Records as being 6ft 3ins and 310 lbs. Other sources point to him as being 'at least 25 stones' at his heaviest.

Sheffield United, his first club, was one of the movers and shakers at the turn of the century. At the time of his starting to play, Sheffield's goalkeeper was Arthur Wharton, who made history in his own way, being one of the the first black professional footballers³, and he replaced him in goal⁴.

Although a big man, Foulke was surprisingly agile, and at a time when goalkeepers could be shoulder-charged into the net, his weight was clearly an advantage. He was also expert at saving penalties and was also known to charge upfield to the opposing penalty spot.

Whilst at Sheffield, he helped them to win the FA Cup twice and got a loser's medal in 1901 against Tottenham Hotspur FC, then a non-league side and the match drew a crowd of 114,815, then a world record. The match was drawn at first and Spurs won the replay, however the match report of the drawn match makes fascinating reading.

Whilst with United, he played in goal for England vs Wales in March 1897. England won 4-0.

Who ate all the pies⁵?

'I don't mind what they call me as long as they don't call me late for my lunch.'

William Foulke moved to Chelsea FC for the transfer fee of £20, where he made captain and became the darling of the crowds, with his ability to punch the ball over the half-way line. He made 35 appearances for them. His love of eating was also remarked upon and stories abound of how he often would arrive early for breakfast, set out for the whole team, and scoff the lot! He was a colourful character and there are stories of his having picked up a forward who had said something to offend him and holding him by his feet upside down over the muddy pitch. During a match with Burton Albion FC (the day after his breakfast feast) he stopped two penalties, and the foward who missed the penalties is said to have complained, 'Where else could I have placed the kicks. There was nowhere else to aim!' Stories about him were plentiful and he is said to have sat on people who teased him until they apologised.

Foulke stayed at Chelsea for just one season (1905-06) before moving on to Bradford City FC, his last club. Whilst playing against Accrington Stanley FC⁶ in February 1907, it is said that Foulke's jersey clashed with the red of Stanley and no-one could find a jersey large enough to fit him, so he played wrapped in a sheet, procured from a nearby house. Bradford won the game 1-0 and Foulke didn't dive during the match, so he kept a 'clean sheet'.

It was during his time at Bradford that he snapped the cross-bar in two while saving a goal, causing the match to be stopped.

The sun going out

Towards the end of his life, William Foulke fell on hard times and was to be found at Blackpool Sands, making a few pennies by saving penalties in a 'beat the goalie' attraction. It was there that he caught pneumonia and he died in 1916, aged only 42.

Related BBC Links

• BBC Sport - more than just a load of balls.

• For the latest football news and views, see BBC Sport: Football