William Robert Ponting (1872 – 21 March 1952) was an English amateur footballer who played as a half-back for Southampton St. Mary's in 1896–97, when they won the Southern League title for the first of six occasions over the next eight years.

William Ponting
Personal information
Full name William Robert Ponting
Date of birth 1872
Place of birth Andover, Hampshire, England
Date of death 21 March 1952(1952-03-21) (aged 79–80)
Place of death Hendon, London, England
Position(s) Half-back
Youth career
Andover
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
18??–1897 Ryde
1897 Southampton St. Mary's 5 (0)
1897–???? Andover
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Football career

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Ponting was born in Andover, Hampshire where he became a schoolmaster. He was a leading amateur player for his local club and had been captain of the Hampshire County Junior XI in 1893.[1]

In March 1897, John Hodgkinson, the Southampton St. Mary's left-half was injured and the "Saints" called Ponting into the side for the remaining five matches of the season. Ponting made his debut in a 5–1 victory at Reading on 31 March[2] and played his part in the run-in to Southampton's first Southern League title.[1]

Later career

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In the summer of 1897, Ponting returned to his teaching career. In the 1930s, he was working in the City of London as an insurance broker.[1]

Honours

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Southampton

References

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  1. ^ a b c Holley, Duncan; Chalk, Gary (1992). The Alphabet of the Saints. ACL & Polar Publishing. pp. 273–274. ISBN 0-9514862-3-3.
  2. ^ Chalk, Gary; Holley, Duncan (1987). Saints – A complete record. Breedon Books. pp. 20–21. ISBN 0-907969-22-4.