August 16 2010

Bill Davies

Bill Davies has the special honour of being Crystal Palace's first international player.

Davies was recruited from Stoke for a season in 1907 and returned in 1910 after a spell with West Bromwich Albion.

But it was his first stint at Palace where he collected international honours for his homeland Wales. Born in Welshpool, Davies won his first cap against Scotland at Dundee, in March 1908.

The outside left helped Palace to fourth in Southern League Division One, finding the net on four occasions.

Davies then went to West Brom for two years - playing twice for his country - and came back in 1910 to try and get Palace out of the division.

His best season was the 1913/14 campaign as Palace missed out on promotion and the title on goal average.

Davies won his second cap as a Palace player when he turned out against England at Cardiff, in March 1914.

Although Davies was more a goal provider rather than scorer, he netted in the FA Cup scalp of Second Division Bury in 1913 and also the 2-2 cup draw at Birmingham from the same division in 1915.

Only three players made more Southern League appearances for Palace and Davies was a good servant in a difficult period for the club.

Bill Davies 1907-08 and 1910-15.

Appearances 208, Goals 23. International caps 2 (4 total).

List of every Crystal Palace international

In Depth Palace Pioneers

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