Billy is without doubt one of the greatest servants to represent Tooting & Mitcham United both as a Player and Manager. He made over 300 appearances for the Club scoring 13 goals in the process, between October 1972 and May 1978. He was club captain, and had a spell as Assistant Manager before coming back to manage his beloved Terrors in season 2006-07 with much success.

 

When he joined United in 1972 he played mainly in the centre of defence and starred for the club during the 1970’s era when the Terrors had several FA Cup runs especially in the 1975-76 campaign when Tooting reached the 4th round proper, beating Swindon Town in a replay at Sandy Lane in the third round. Billy also scored the Terrors goal against Northampton Town in season 1977-78 in a FA Cup First Round home tie with a 25 yard blockbuster in a 2-1 defeat. We also enjoyed our best FA Trophy run when he was in the side losing in a quarter final tie at eventual winners Scarborough in the 1975-76 term. The Surrey Senior Cup was lifted twice with Billy in the team.

 

His representative honours included playing for the Essex, Kent, London and Surrey FA’s. When his playing days were over he went into management and his magnificent record goes before him achieving much success at all the clubs he took over.

 

In his four years at the helm with Tooting he guided the club into the Isthmian League Division One Play Off Final in 2006-07 after the Terrors had gone 31 games unbeaten.  It was a game to far as we lost to Hastings United in the Final. However, twelve months later we again reached the Play Off Final and were successful this time defeating Cray Wanderers by a goal to nil again at Imperial Fields. Mention must be made of Billy’s backroom staff, Assistant Manager George Wakeling, Chief Scout Colin Turner and legendary Physio Dennis Lawton.  

 

Billy was a renowned talent spotter also and discovered many players including Ian Wright, Alan Pardew, Andy Gray, Ian Cox, Carl Asaba and whilst at Imperial Fields Michail Antonio and Mitchell Nelson. He also guided Tooting to success in the London Senior Cup and Surrey Senior Cup Finals plus we reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup after a gap of 32 years, losing 5-0 at Stockport County in 2009.

 

Billy would leave the club in 2010.

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Article written by Ian Bullock TMUFC Members Club Vice President