Bulldogs History Database
Billy Knowles
| Player # | 30 |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Billy (Stanley was his real name) |
| Position | Half Back, Centre, Lock |
| DOB | 10th Apr 1908 |
| Origin | Enfield, NSW |
| Junior Club | Enfield Federals |
| Debut | 1935: Round 15 vs Eastern Suburbs |
| Other Clubs | Western Suburbs |
| Rep |
Stanley Knowles played under the name of Billy Knowles and all press reports at the time labeled him W. Knowles, the "W" being for William. Billy or William was only a nick name. Billy played junior rugby league for Enfield Federals and started his grade career for the Western Suburbs Rugby League Football Club before moving across to play with the Canterbury Bankstown Rugby League Football Club in their inaugural season in the Sydney competition in 1935, playing his opening game for the club in third grade midway through the year.
Bill was a lock forward that quickly progressed through the grades to make his first grade debut as a centre toward the end of 1935.
From 1936 to 1938 Bill was the regular reserve grade lock and was often used as the goal kicker.
Bill played in the reserve grade semi-finals in 1938.
Billy played with Canterbury until 1940 with a stint in 1939 as captain/coach of the Mudgee Rugby League team. Billy also played the 1934 season as captain/coach of Cooma before joining Canterbury in 1935.
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