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William Isiah Bassett (January 27, 1869 -April 8,
1937) was an England|English association
footballer.

Born West Bromwich, at only 5 foot (unit of
length)|foot 5 inch (1.65 metre|m), Basset was
initially considered too frail for a professional
player. Establishing himself as a winger in
various local amateur sides, he joined West
Bromwich Albion F.C. in 1886. He played 261 games
for the club, scoring 61 goals and winning 16
England national football team|England cap
(football)|caps, becoming one of the game's
earliest celebrity|celebrities.

He retired from playing in 1899, becoming a
director of the club in 1905 and chairman from
1908 until his death. His activities in the wider
footballing world let him to take an active role
in the development of both the Football
Association and the Football League.

Over 100,000 people lined the streets of West
Bromwich for his funeral procession.