Billy Beats was a centre forward who joined Rovers in 1903 as a former England international and FA Cup finalist. Beats was part of the 1904-05 Southern League championship winning side, one of the few league titles Rovers have ever won. He was capped twice by England, against Wales in 1901 and Scotland in 1902, and was also in the England team for the abandoned game at Ibrox in 1902 when a collapsed terrace resulted in the deaths of 25 spectators.