Clubs played for: Manchester United (1952-1969)
Born: 1932
Birthplace: St Helens, Lancashire
Position: Centre-back
Biography: An all round sportsman who excelled at rugby (his grandfather had been an England Rugby League international) and represented his home county, Cheshire as a golfer. However it is as an uncompromising defender that he will be long remembered. Born in St. Helens, Billy signed professional terms at Old Trafford in 1951 to start a playing career with the club that was to last for almost two decades. His record is one of extremes. At 22 he was selected to play for England although still only a part- time player because he had retained his job working in the mines. Then fourteen years later he was still going strong at the age of 36 and was a member of the 1968 European Cup winning side. Although he never managed to add to his one full international cap, life was not without incident. A survivor of the horror of Munich, he broke the club's appearance record, won four championship medals and was part of the team that won the FA Cup in 1962- 1963. After retiring, he stayed on at Old Trafford for five years as a youth coach, then set off working with two clubs in America, four in Norway and then Mazda of Japan. He was forced to sell his collection of medals in 1992 for £37,000. He was coaching for the Manchester FA after returning home and gave tours of Old Trafford to Japanese tourists because he could speak the language after his time coaching in the country. Sadly, was forced to sell his collection of medals accrued during his very successful career with Manchester United, they raised ?37,000 at Christies in October 1992. His last managerial post was over in Japan, in charge of the Mazda Club.
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