Sheppard Bill

 

Player W H Sheppard

William H Sheppard

Position: Forward

Born: 9^th April 1900 in Bath

Height:

Weight:

Education: Walcot Council School, King Edwards School, Bath

Achievements: Club Captain 1928-29

Honours:

Debut game: 29th March 1919 v Avonmouth Old Boys

Final game: 18th April 1925 v Bristol

Number of Appearances: 138

Career details:

Educated at Walcot Council School whence he proceeded to King Edwards School in 1912. Here he played soccer and gained his full school “colours”, leaving in 1916.

He learnt his rugby with the No1 Officers Cadet School at Plymouth. He served one year in the Inns of Court.

After the Armistice he played 8 games for Bath “A” in 1919  gaining his cap in that season.  He was soon selected for the 1^st XV, the following season, having played two games for them when a member of the “A” team.

He had played only 10 games of rugby before he turned out for Bath.

He became a regular player in the 1st XV and in the 1920-21season played for the Somerset County XV against Cornwall. In the 1922-23 season he played in all but one of the County games and the County Championship Final against Leicestershire. He was presented with a souvenir cigarette case and framed photo of the County Team.

His fine physique and weight served him well in the lineout but he excelled when the ball was loose. He was a splendid dribbler and had wonderful control over the ball tapping it just the necessary distance to be able to regain possession.

He was a man of considerable energy and enthusiasm and was one of the most popular players in the Bath team. He was an all round sportsman, playing cricket for Lansdown CC during the summer

Bill gained his cap in the 1919-20 season