Billy Meredith (30 July 1874 – 19 April 1958) was one of Wales’ first football superstars playing for both Manchester City and United in a career that lasted over thirty years. After spells at Chirk and Northwich Victoria, Billy joined Manchester City in October 1894, helping them to two Second Division championships (1899 and 1903) and an FA Cup (1904). This period of his career was tarnished by the allegation that he bribed Aston Villa's Alex Leake £10 to lose a match and in 1904 he was hit with an 18 month ban from playing for City.  In May 1906, he moved to Manchester United where he quickly became a firm favourite amongst the fans. Meredith won two league championship medals in 1908 and 1911 and the FA Cup in 1909.  In 1921 he returned to City where he continued to play until the age of 49. He also played a starring role in Wales winnning the Home Nations in 1907.  Meredith was a leading campaigner with the Association Footballers' Union pressing for better wages and conitions. As a player, he is remembered as a trickly winger who could torment the opposition with his precise crosses. Billy Meredith's trademark was a toothpick he chewed while playing to aid concentration - he first chewed tobacco, until the cleaners refused to wash the spit off his shirts!   In 1926 Meredith starred in a feature film, playing himself as a trainer. By the time of his retirement he had played in some 1100 matches.  After his retirment, he worked as coach and scout as well as running a Manchester pub.  Billy Meredith was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame in 2007.