Best, Billy

Billy Best

Clubs played for: Northampton Town, Southend United, Northampton Town, Bedford Town, Corby Town (1962-1983)

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Biography: Billy is one of only a handful of players to have scored goals in all four divisions for the same club.(Northampton Town). However it was when he was transferred to Southend United in January 1968 he became a goalscoring legend scoring a total 123 goals in 247 appearances over a five year period including a club record nine hat-tricks.In the 1968-69 season Southend were drawn at home to Kings Lynn in the F.A.Cup winning 9-0, Best scored a hat-trick then in the next round Southend beat Brentwood 10-1 with Best scoring five including four in the last six minutes.The score along with his five goals remain shared club records,however his five goals in 20 minutes were the quickest five goals in succession ever by a player.His goal at Scunthorpe in 1972 also clinched Southend's first ever promotion. Billy Best is a football hero in both Northampton & Southend and he was inducted into the clubs Hall of Fame in 2006. He was Simply the Best.(the Legend Lives On).

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Best, Billy Billy Best was my favourite Southend player during those dizzy times. Friday nights at Roots Hall were something special.

01-04-21 Mel Dearlove

Best, Billy Billy & his family were our neighbours for a while in Northampton. They were all very lovely & kind. I used to babysit his children. They always looked after me really well. Regards Julie Woolmore
06-12-20 Julie Woolmore

Best, Billy My all-time favourite Southend player. Brilliant in the air for a small man, quick thinking which gave him few yards start over defenders, and a lethal finisher. Also a very fair player. Only booked once, and that was a refereeing mistake.
31-08-20 Nigel Blore

Best, Billy At Southend didn’t he equal the record by Dixie Dean of most league goals scored in a season?
29-08-20 Terry Jee

Best, Billy Apart from being a fantastic sportsman and pro footballer bBlly is very honourable, a good man, a great father and husband. Top footballer and and top all round man .... Kel
21-02-20 Kelys Herbert

Best, Billy bestie was a legend fantastic striker for a small man he could outjump 6ft defenders with ease,one of southends all time greats.


BEST, Billy One of the best players ever to play for the Cobblers.
John Sanders