Bill Julian

Who was Bill Julian?

John William "Bill" Julian was an English football player and coach.

Born in Boston, Lincolnshire, he first played for his local side Boston Town before moving to Royal Arsenal in 1889, following a match between the two on Good Friday of that year. He played in Arsenal's very first FA Cup tie, against Lyndhurst on 5 October 1889, and soon earned a reputation as a determined and tough-tackling wing-half. He became club captain in 1890, and was still captain when Arsenal turned professional in 1891.

However, he was replaced as Arsenal captain in October 1891 by new arrival Sandy Robertson, and although assured of a place in the first team, he decided to step down to the reserves. In the summer of 1892, he moved to Luton Town, to become the club's captain and coach. He played 4 FA Cup ties and 71 other senior matches for Woolwich Arsenal.

After two years at Luton, he joined Tottenham Hotspur, and played in Spurs' very first FA Cup tie, a first qualifying match against West Hertfordshire, on 13 October 1894; Spurs won 3-2. He left Tottenham in 1895, and finished his career at Dartford; however he remained local to Woolwich Arsenal and later opened a sports shop in Plumstead.