ilkleyram Posted December 20, 2019 Share Posted December 20, 2019 Billy died today aged 70. He played for us in the late 70's, signed, I think, by Colin Murphy, sold on by Tommy Docherty. He was best known for his playing career at Sunderland but in a Derby team, and club, that was on a long road downhill, for 20 odd games he gave his all for the shirt. Big, bustling and with more skill than might have first been apparent he was one of the first casualties of Docherty's ultimately successful attempt to break up and destroy a club that only a couple of years before had been champions. He will never feature in any DCFC list of longest serving players, highest scorers or even , perhaps , best remembered/most loved. But he gave his all, scored some good goals and played with a smile on his face. We could use him now, that's for sure. Had Docherty had half an ounce of common sense he would have kept him and we would have done better. He didn't and we didn't. Thanks Billy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandExile Posted December 21, 2019 Share Posted December 21, 2019 Sad news. I remember Billy and his great moustache. Thought he would be a good player for us but Docherty spoiled any chance of that. Just looked up his stats... Played fewer games than I'd thought but still managed to grab a few goals. RIP ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandExile Posted December 21, 2019 Share Posted December 21, 2019 Just looked up some photos to remind myself. Seemed top heavy in the same way that John O'Hare was. I was right about his moustache. They don't/can't grow them like that anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Van der MoodHoover Posted December 21, 2019 Share Posted December 21, 2019 One of the great 70s pornstar 'taches. Sadly for Billy his memory will always suffer by being associated with being brought to Derby in the wake of the derek hales debacle I think. Perhaps we had a thing about strikes with facial hair.......? RIP Billy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uttoxram75 Posted December 21, 2019 Share Posted December 21, 2019 Sad news, RIP Billy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mozza Posted December 21, 2019 Share Posted December 21, 2019 Singing that song on the team bus whilst the 'Doc'was within earshot didn't help his tenure at Derby, rumour has it. Anyway, RIP Billy, you were great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubbles Posted December 21, 2019 Share Posted December 21, 2019 RIP Billy, Powerful moustache. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellafella Posted December 21, 2019 Share Posted December 21, 2019 12 hours ago, ilkleyram said: Billy died today aged 70. He played for us in the late 70's, signed, I think, by Colin Murphy, sold on by Tommy Docherty. He was best known for his playing career at Sunderland but in a Derby team, and club, that was on a long road downhill, for 20 odd games he gave his all for the shirt. Big, bustling and with more skill than might have first been apparent he was one of the first casualties of Docherty's ultimately successful attempt to break up and destroy a club that only a couple of years before had been champions. He will never feature in any DCFC list of longest serving players, highest scorers or even , perhaps , best remembered/most loved. But he gave his all, scored some good goals and played with a smile on his face. We could use him now, that's for sure. Had Docherty had half an ounce of common sense he would have kept him and we would have done better. He didn't and we didn't. Thanks Billy I remember him with great fondness having noticed him playing for Sunderland. He was quite like Dean Saunders in his style of play - nimble, skilful and a good strike. And what a fantastic Zapatta moustache...Jason King like. RIP Billy HUGHES. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shipley Ram Posted December 21, 2019 Share Posted December 21, 2019 RIP Billy, I remember being really confused we were selling such a goalscorer, I was only a kid at the time. Looking at his stats I'm suprised how few games he played for us, but he made an impact on me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RamNut Posted December 21, 2019 Share Posted December 21, 2019 I thought it was an odd signing but my brother liked him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
admira Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-Derby-county-ace-billy-3672018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandExile Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 Duplicate thread but it's better to get such news out so thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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