Bob Bailey’s career as a centre-half for St Mary’s was confined to three appearances, at fortnightly intervals in October 1892. On the first of that month, he made a

“useful”

contribution in a friendly at Newbury, which

“truly warranted his selection, for a red and white shirt” ,

the Hampshire Independent reasoned. He was duly selected for two competitive matches, in the first two qualifying rounds of the FA Cup. When Maidenhead inflicted a 4-0 defeat upon the Saints they were out of the tournament and Bailey was out of further contention. Having attended Winchester Teacher Training College after leaving school, he subsequently became a teacher at Peterston-super-Ely School in Glamorgan for the best of 40 years, becoming head teacher before he retired in 1931. He was also organist and choirmaster of Peterston Church and the father of seven children.