William Foulke (footballer)
William "Fatty" Foulke, seen here in Sheffield United colours
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | William Henry Foulke | ||
| Date of birth | 12 April 1874 | ||
| Place of birth | Dawley, Shropshire, United Kingdom | ||
| Date of death | 1 May 1916 (aged 42) | ||
| Place of death | Sheffield, West Riding of Yorkshire, United Kingdom | ||
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||
| Playing position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Blackwell Colliery | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1894–1905 | Sheffield United | 299 | (0) |
| 1905–1906 | Chelsea | 34 | (0) |
| 1906–1907 | Bradford City | 22 | (0) |
| Total | 355 | (0) | |
| National team | |||
| 1897 | England | 1 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. |
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William Henry "Fatty" Foulke (12 April 1874 – 1 May 1916; sometimes spelled Foulk, Foulkes) was a professional cricketer and football player in England in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Foulke was renowned for his great size (6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) by some estimates) and weight, reaching perhaps 24 stone (152 kg; 336 lb) at the end of his career, although reports on his weight vary.
He played four first-class matches for Derbyshire County Cricket Club in the 1900 season, but is remembered primarily as a goalkeeper for Sheffield United although he later played for Chelsea and Bradford City.
After being discovered playing for village side Blackwell in a Derbyshire Cup tie at Ilkeston Town, Foulke made his debut for Sheffield United against West Bromwich Albion on 1 September 1894 and led the team to three FA Cup finals (winning two) and a League Championship.
According to The Cat's Pyjamas: The Penguin Book of Cliches (ISBN ), the "Who ate all the pies?" chant was first sung in 1894 by Sheffield United supporters, and directed at Foulke's 300 lb (about 136 kg).
He also won a single international cap for England in 1897 against Wales.
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