William James Alfred Stroud (7 July 1919 – 5 October 2006)[1] was a football player and coach who played as a wing half.
[2] He signed professional terms with the club in February 1940, and during the break from competitive football due to World War II made almost 200 appearances and converted from a forward to a wing half.
[2] Despite this lengthy allegiance to the Saints, Stroud spent only the first season after the war with the club in the Second Division, making 29 league appearances and scoring four goals, mainly from the right side of the half back line.
[2] In June 1947 Stroud joined Leyton Orient as part of a deal which saw full back Ted Ballard taking his place in the Southampton squad.
[2] During his 24-year stint with the Southampton Academy, Stroud assisted in the development of such legendary Saints players as Mick Channon, Matthew Le Tissier and Alan Shearer, before retiring in 1987 after briefly working as the coach for a Hants Intermediate XI team.