William Phillipps was an enthusiastic cricketer who played for Glamorganshire and Carmarthenshire in the early 1860s before becoming the General Manager of several major railway companies, including the North Staffordshire Company.
He was the son of Rev.Thomas Phillipps, the vicar of Callow in Herefordshire and trained as an engineer, initially in the world of shipbuilding before switching to specialize in railways. This led to a move to Carmarthenshire where he acted as General Manager of the Llanelly Railway Company, besides joining the town’s cricket club.
On 23 and 24 June 1863 he played for Carmarthenshire in their away match against Glamorganshire at Bryn-y-Mor Field having, no doubt, assisted his colleagues in securing suitable travel to Swansea. Batting at number three, William scored 9 and 0. He enjoyed better luck with the bat the following month as made 15 for the Welsh Wanderers in their match against Pembroke Dock Garrison at Llanelly House.
On 7 and 8 September 1863 he was chosen by the Glamorganshire selectors to play against Carmarthenshire in their match at Llanelly House. He duly scored 7 and 0 on what proved to be his sole appearance for Glamorganshire. The following year he played again for the Gentlemen of Carmarthenshire against their counterparts from Breconshire. The match at Dolgarreg on 23 and 24 June saw William make 0 and 2.
He moved to work in North Wales shortly afterwards before, in 1882, being appointed General Manager of the North Staffordshire Railway Company. He held this position until 1919, besides serving, for almost forty years, as President of the Stoke-on-Trent Conservative Club.
PHILLIPPS, William Douglas
Born: Dewsall Vicarage, Callow, Herefordshire, 10 May 1839.
Died: The Lea, Eccleshall, Staffordshire, 11 August 1932.