Billy Caulfield

Who was Billy Caulfield?

William "Billy" Caulfield was an English professional footballer who played as a forward. Born in the town of Haydock, Lancashire, he began his career in local football with Ormskirk. He later played for Southport Central before moving into the Football League with Blackburn Rovers in February 1915. However, due to the outbreak of the First World War and the subsequent suspension of competitive football in England, he failed to make an appearance for the club.

In 1919, Caulfield returned to Southport, who by then were playing in the Central League. After one season with Southport, he moved to fellow Central League outfit Crewe Alexandra in the summer of 1920, initially as an amateur player. Crewe were founding members of the Football League Third Division North at the start of the 1921–22 campaign, and Caulfield signed a professional contract with the club in the summer of 1921. Over the next two seasons, he went on to make 59 League appearances for Crewe, scoring 23 goals during this time.

In July 1923 Caulfield joined Nelson, who had just been promoted to the Football League Second Division for the first time in their history.