Background
He was born at Mansfield Woodhouse, Nottinghamshire.
He was born at Mansfield Woodhouse, Nottinghamshire.
Housley was a right-handed batsman. Housley made a single first-class appearance for Nottinghamshire against Yorkshire at Trent Bridge in 1870. In response, Nottinghamshire made just 56 all out, with Housley being dismissed by George Freeman for 2 runs.
In their second-innings, Yorkshire were dismissed for 122, leaving Nottinghamshire with a target of 175 for victory.
Nottinghamshire fell narrowly short of reaching that target, being dismissed for 172 to lose by 2 runs. During their chase, Housley was run out for a single run.
This was his only major appearance for the county. He later stood as an umpire in two first-class matches at Bramall Lane in 1877, with Yorkshire playing Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
He died at the village of his birth on 23 April 1881.