Profile

Billy had the honour of being Liverpool's first-ever goalkeeper in a Football League match, when the club started their first season in the Second Division at Middlesbrough Ironopolis on September 2, 1893.

He played in 23 of the 28 league matches in that inaugural season and conceded only 16 goals as the club finished as champions, which was hardly surprising as they didn't lose a single match during the whole campaign! Billy was a schoolboy prodigy and featured for Blackburn since 15 being the youngest goalkeeper in the League. After four years with Blackburn he moved to Darwen. Billy was a outstanding tough character playing in goal when keepers got no protection from referees. They were frequently rushed by attackers and lying on the ground with three or four players on top of them after an attack came with the territory.

Billy was a dentist and when Liverpool were promoted to First division, contrary to Liverpool's wishes, he left the club as he would make a much better living as a dentist rather than a footballer! Billy was reinstated as an amateur and played with Blackpool. Billy was an expert in saving penalties and during his career he the Pepe Reina of his day when he faced 13 penalty kicks and saved 12 of them!

Previous Clubs:
Cherry Tree, Blackburn Olympic (both amateur), Blackburn, Darwen; Blackpool, Nelson (both amateur)