Poyntz: William Ivor (Bill)

1921-1923 (Player Details)

Inside Forward

Born: Tylerstown, Glamorgan: 18-03-1894

Debut: v Stoke City (a): 29-10-1921

5’11” 11 st 10lb (1921)

After starting with Gorseinon United, Poyntz was signed by Leeds from Llanelli in the 1921 close season and he had already played in a Welsh International trial. The Welshman achieved the unwanted distinction of becoming the first Leeds United player to be sent off, when he was dismissed in the game at Gigg Lane against Bury on 11th February 1922. He soon made up for that blemish by getting married on the morning of the next game against Leicester City at Elland Road, one week later, when he promptly scored a hat-trick. He was never a first choice and the competition amongst the inside forwards was keen but the arrival of Percy Whipp was just one too many and, in November 1923, he left to join Doncaster Rovers. He scored ten times in just twenty-nine League appearances and then in quick succession went to Northampton Town in May 1924, where he scored four goals in twenty-nine appearances, Bradford Park Avenue in June 1925, scoring five times in thirty-three League games, Crewe Alexandra in December 1926, a single goal in a dozen League matches, and then to Hartlepool United in January 1927. He was signed at Hartlepools by Bill Norman, one-time assistant to Arthur Fairclough at Leeds and was made centre-half and captain. On leaving Hartlepools, after thirty-one League and one F.A. Cup appearances, he was coach at Bury, and then spent nine years on the training staff at Leeds after gaining qualification as a physiotherapist at Leeds General Hospital. Before the war he was the trainer with Newport County, having Arthur Hydes and Harry Duggan under his charge. Poyntz died on 5th April 1966, aged seventy-two in Leeds.