Albert Wilkes

Interesting fact:

He played for England five times.

Albert Wilkes Senior was born in 1874. He played for Holy Trinity School, then West Bromwich Baptists, and had a trial with the Albion. He played for Walsall for three years from 1895, making 63 appearances. He joined Aston Villa, playing for them from 1898 until 1907, making 159 appearances. He also played for England five times. He went on to play for Fulham and then assist Chesterfield before retiring in May 1909.

He became both a qualified referee and opened his own photograph studio in Legge Street, West Bromwich, concentrating on football player and team pictures. He began this photographic career whilst still a player, encouraged by the Chairman of the Villa to think of a life beyond football. His son Albert Wilkes Junior continued the business until it was sold to leading photographic agency Colorsport in 1970.

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Taken at the Hawthorns ground, it shows the doctor and club trainer inspecting a damaged leg belonging to an West Bromwich player. The photo was first published in the 1905 Book of Football. The caption read: ‘The members of a big football team are periodically examined by the doctor, who exercises a kind of general supervision over them, apart from any urgent call that may be made upon him. This is necessary, as prevention is better than cure.’ Right ‘After the day's exercise and the bath, the player is taken hand in hand by the trainer and vigorously rubbed down, any weak muscle or seat of injury receiving special attention. This most important part of football training keeps the men in perfect health.’
Taken at the Hawthorns ground, it shows the doctor and club trainer inspecting a damaged leg belonging to an West Bromwich player. The photo was first published in the 1905 Book of Football. The caption read: ‘The members of a big football team are periodically examined by the doctor, who exercises a kind of general supervision over them, apart from any urgent call that may be made upon him. This is necessary, as prevention is better than cure.’ Right ‘After the day’s exercise and the bath, the player is taken hand in hand by the trainer and vigorously rubbed down, any weak muscle or seat of injury receiving special attention. This most important part of football training keeps the men in perfect health.’
Albert Wilkes Calling Card
The calling card of Albert Wilkes Senior
Albert Wilkes Villa ground 1900
The Villa ground under construction in 1900. Photograph by Albert Wilkes Senior. This may be one of his earliest photographs. After winning the league championship in 1899, Villa’s record-breaking average crowd of 21,000 allowed the club to invest in a two-stage ground improvement programme.
englandteam_edited-1
Albert Wilkes on the right of the image, when England played Ireland at Balmoral showgrounds, 22nd March 1902. England won 1-0. The Mountains of Mourne are in the background.
Albert Wilkes Senior and Albert Wilkes Junior
On the left, Albert Wilkes Senior; on the right, Albert Wilkes Junior, who began to work in the business as a partner in 1927.
May Wilkes, the youngest sister of Albert Wilkes Junior, photographed in the studio in Legge Street.
May Wilkes, the youngest sister of Albert Wilkes Junior, photographed in the studio in Legge Street.
Albert Wilkes Senior
Albert Wilkes Senior and his wife Lydia, taken approximately 1923. They had four children, Albert in 1903, Edward in Lydia May in 1907, Vera Joyce in 1909 and Arthur Graham in 1917.

albert senior wilkes newspaper excerpt

Interesting fact:

He became both a qualified referee and opened his own photograph studio in Legge Street, West Bromwich

Related People, Places & Keywords

Albion Hawthorns Legge Street West Bromwich Aston Villa Coloursport photograph studio Footballer Photographer referee