William McGregor

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Lore & Background

McGregor’s journey began when he moved to Birmingham around 1870 to work as a draper, later opening a shop at 48 Brearley Street. The store became a hub for enthusiasts, where he sold general drapery goods and closed early on Saturdays to watch matches. His connection with Aston Villa started in 1877 as a committee member and umpire. When financial troubles hit the club, McGregor’s unwavering support—including reportedly allowing the club to store possessions at his shop—helped the impecunious club survive, leading to their first trophy, the Birmingham Senior Cup, in 1880. The origin of the lion rampant crest is uncertain and not definitively attributed to McGregor.

In Their Own Story

By 1888, frustration mounted after Villa matches were cancelled on five consecutive Saturdays due to cup interference or opponents chasing more lucrative games. On 2 March, McGregor wrote to Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Preston North End, West Bromwich Albion, and his own club proposing a league of ten or twelve prominent clubs with guaranteed home-and-away fixtures. He initially named it the 'Association Football Union,' but this was rejected for sounding too much like Rugby; instead, 'The Football League' was chosen despite his reservations about associations with the Irish Land League. A meeting followed on 23 March at Anderton's Hotel in London, attended by ten clubs, though no southern teams joined. A second meeting in Manchester on 17 April finalised the details, including a rule allowing only one club per town, which controversially excluded Mitchell St. George's in favour of Villa.

Reader's Guide

The founding of the Football League marked the shift from amateur pastime to professional business. McGregor’s vision ensured clubs could plan seasons and pay wages reliably. He served as the first chairman of the League's Management Committee and later held both chairman and president roles within the organisation. His influence extended to The Football Association, where he also served as chairman. In 1885, he was the only Midlands delegate at an emergency FA conference to speak in favour of professionalism, admitting Villa paid players. This stance helped resolve a potential split that threatened to form a rival British Football Association. His leadership ensured the league's stability, with twelve clubs kicking off the first season in September 1888.

Did You Know?

• McGregor's drapery shop at 48 Brearley Street became a popular meeting place, though there is no established evidence he sold football kits there.
• He initially proposed the name 'The Association Football Union' for the league, but it was rejected for sounding too similar to the Rugby Football Union.
• McGregor cited the County Cricket Championship as his inspiration for the league structure, not American baseball.
• At the 1885 FA conference, he was one of several Midlands delegates to speak in favour of professionalism.
• His pastor described him not just as a sportsman, but as 'the Christian behind it all' with unblemished personal character.

The Draper Who Built a League

Born in Braco, Perthshire, McGregor moved to Birmingham in 1870 following his brother Peter, opening a drapery business on Brearley Street and Summer Lane. He became involved with Calthorpe F.C. before joining Aston Villa as a committee member in 1877. His shop served as a meeting place where he sold football kits and closed early on Saturdays to watch games. When the club faced financial ruin, McGregor allowed them to store possessions in his shop after bailiffs seized their equipment. Under his guidance, Villa won the Birmingham Senior Cup in 1880, shortly before he became president.

Architect of Professional Football

At an emergency FA conference in 1885, McGregor represented Aston Villa as the sole Midlands delegate to support professionalism, admitting his club paid players. By 1888, after five consecutive match cancellations, he proposed a league structure via letter on 2 March. He suggested a friendly conference at Anderton's Hotel for 23 March 1888, noting representatives would be in London for the FA Cup final. While ten clubs attended, southern teams abstained. A second meeting in Manchester on 17 April established 'The Football League,' rejecting his name choice due to similarity with the Rugby Football Union and avoiding 'English League' to allow future Scottish applications.

Stewardship at Aston Villa

His leadership saw Villa become the first Midlands club to win the FA Cup in 1887, defeating West Bromwich Albion. He was responsible for adopting the lion rampant as the club crest. Throughout his tenure, he was noted for organisational skills and ambition, helping Villa rise to prominence while maintaining his drapery business.

A Legacy Honored by History

McGregor served as chairman and president of the Football League and chairman of The FA. He was a teetotaller and active in the Liberal Party until 1882, when football commitments caused his membership to lapse. A committed Christian, he worshipped at the Congregational church in Wheeler Street for forty years; his pastor described him as 'a man of absolutely unblemished personal character.' Recognised by the FA shortly before his death on 20 December 1911, he was posthumously honoured by local authorities and Aston Villa. He lived at 130 Birchfield Road, Handsworth, with his wife Jessie until her death in 1908.