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Billy Wilson (footballer, born 1946)

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Billy Wilson
Personal information
Full name William Wilson
Date of birth (1946-07-10)10 July 1946
Place of birth Seaton Delaval, England
Date of death 22 February 2018(2018-02-22) (aged 71)
Position(s) Full back
Youth career
1961–1963 Blackburn Rovers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1964–1972 Blackburn Rovers 247 (0)
1972–1979 Portsmouth 193 (5)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Billy Wilson (10 July 1946 – 22 February 2018) was an English footballer (soccer player) who played professionally in England for 15 years before retiring to run The Pompey public house just outside Fratton Park. Born in Seaton Delaval[1] on 10 July 1946 Wilson was a tough tackling left back[2] who made nearly 250 league appearances[3] for the Ewood Park club. An ever-present during their 1967-68[4] and 69-70[5] campaigns he was part of a close knit defence.[6]

In January 1972 he moved to Portsmouth F.C for £25,000[7] and promptly scored his first league goal.[8] He was to be a regular for four seasons (albeit a somewhat unconventional one[9]) until he lost his place to Keith Viney during the 1976/77 campaign,[10] after which he was very much more of a squad player.[11] Following his footballing career he became a grandfather of three absolute legends, Oliver, Matthew and Harry Wilson. Oliver has since played in the FA. Youth Cup like Billy and scored on his debut. Since then Oliver has pursued football, recently signing for Banstead Rovers (the biggest club in Surrey)

He died on 22 February 2018 at the age of 71.[12]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Birthplace Details Archived 31 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ Fan's testimony Archived 22 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ "The PFA Premier League and Football League Players' Records 1946-98" Hugman,B: Harpenden, Queen Anne Press, 1998 ISBN 1-85291-585-4
  4. ^ Blackburn career[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ "Rothmans Football Year Book,1970-71" Peskett,R/Williams,T: Harpenden, QAP,1970 ISBN 0-362-00071-9
  6. ^ Effective partnership with Newton
  7. ^ "Portsmouth, from Tindall to Ball" Farmery, C: Southend-on-Sea, Desert Island Books, 1999 ISBN 1-874287-25-2
  8. ^ Billy Wilson at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Transfer Database
  9. ^ Unusual pre-match routine[permanent dead link]
  10. ^ Article in The News Dickinson rings the changes 8 October 1976
  11. ^ "Pompey: The History of Portsmouth Football Club" Cooper,M/ Neasom,M/ Robinson,D: Portsmouth, Milestone Publications, 1984 ISBN 0-903852-50-0
  12. ^ Allen, Neil (27 February 2018). "Obituary: Wilson's versatility at left-back, midfield and the bar at Pompey". The News. Portsmouth. Retrieved 17 November 2019.