William Oakley (footballer)

William John Oakley (27 April 1873—20 September 1934) was an English footballer who, during the Victorian era, played as a full-back for the renowned amateur clubs, the Corinthians and Casuals, and captained the England team once, in a match against Ireland in 1901. In 1894, he was also the English long jump champion.

Oakley played in total, 121 games for Corinthian FC, in which he scored just 1 goal. Playing games against all the great professional sides of the era, Oakley was an assured defender who's peak years for the club were the 1898/99 season and the 1899/1900 season, during which, he rarely missed a match.

Educated at Shrewsbury School and Christ Church, Oxford, Oakley was awarded a total of 16 England caps between 1895 and 1901, and won his only game as captain by the score of 3-0.

He was a close friend of the England centre forward G. O. Smith, with whom he worked as a schoolmaster, and eventually as joint headmaster, of Ludgrove School after retiring from football.

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