On the 4 December 1858 the English sportsman, William ‘Billy’ Gunn, was born in St. Ann’s, Nottingham.   A right-handed batsman who bowled slow underarm lobs, Gunn played professional first-class cricket for Norttinghamshire from 1880 to 1904. He represented England in 11 Test matches from 1887-1889. Noted for his accurate throwing, his most successful season was in 1889, when he was named Wisden Batsman of the Year.

Gunn first played football as an amateur for Nottingham Forest, making just one appearance in 1881. He signed for Notts County in 1882 and made his debut in a 6-1 win in the first round of the FA Cup  against Sheffield. He made his League debut against Aston Villa when County lost 9–1. He also played twice for England, and scored a goal in the inaugural British Home Championship in 1884.

Gunn founded the sports equipment firm Gunn and Moore in Nottingham in1885.

He died in Nottingham in 1921, while still President of Notts County, aged 63.

4 December, 2019