William Arthur Wragg[1] (1875 – after 1904) was an English professional footballer who made 119 appearances in the Football League playing for Nottingham Forest, Leicester Fosse, Small Heath and Chesterfield Town.[2]
Wragg was born in Radford, Nottinghamshire.
He played local football before joining Nottingham Forest in April 1896. Wragg made his debut on 28 November 1896 at home against Liverpool.[3] In the early part of his career he played at wing half, and from this position he created Forest's first goal in the 1898 FA Cup Final.[4] From his free kick from the left near the by-line, the ball came to Arthur Capes who shot through a crowd of defenders. Wragg later aggravated a first-half injury and had to move out to the wing, unable to take much further part in the game.[5] He made 58 appearances in all competitions for Forest.[1] He scored his only goal for Nottingham Forest on 2 October 1897 in the 1–1 draw at home against Sunderland.[3]
After three years he joined Leicester Fosse, where he spent two seasons, made 50 appearances in the Second Division playing at full back, and became the club's free kick specialist.[2][4]
A move to Small Heath brought him just the one first-team appearance because of the form of George Adey. In August 1901 he joined Southern League club Watford, and a year later moved to Hinckley Town of the Midland League.[4] He returned to the Football League to play 20 Second Division games for Chesterfield Town, and then went back to non-league football with Accrington Stanley, Doncaster Rovers[2] and Brighton & Hove Albion.[6]
Wragg appeared on stage with Stan Laurel and Charlie Chaplin.[7]