William Luke MM (17 December 1890 – January 1992) was an English professional footballer who played in the Football League for Preston North End as an outside right.[1][3]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | William Luke[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 17 December 1890 | ||
| Place of birth | Acklington, England | ||
| Date of death | January 1992 (aged 101)[2] | ||
| Position(s) | Outside right | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| Trimdon Grange | |||
| 1911–1912 | Bedlington United | ||
| 1912–1914 | Preston North End | 8 | (2) |
| 1914–1915 | Hartlepools United | 30 | (9) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Personal life
On 28 October 1915, over a year after the outbreak of the First World War, Luke enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery and qualified as a class 2 signaller.[2] He was deployed to the Western Front during the Battle of the Somme and participated in the battle's closing action on the Ancre in November 1916.[2] Luke's unit moved to trench lines east of Arras in April 1917 and he was seriously wounded in the leg on 9 April, which led to his discharge from the army in August 1918.[2] In the aftermath of his wounding, Luke was recommended for the Military Medal and the award was gazetted on 18 July 1917.[2] At the time of his death in January 1992, Luke was the oldest-living former professional footballer in Britain.[2]
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Preston North End | 1912–13[2] | Second Division | 8 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 2 |
| Hartlepools United | 1914–15[3] | North Eastern League | 30 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 32 | 10 |
| Career total | 38 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 41 | 12 | ||
Honours
Preston North End