meadows 615 Posted February 25, 2018 Author Share Posted February 25, 2018 I think Jeff was about 66 I’m not anywhere I’m able to check at the moment. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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Tyrone Shoelaces 12988 Posted February 25, 2018 Share Posted February 25, 2018 Just now, meadows said: I think Jeff was about 66 I’m not anywhere I’m able to check at the moment. According to the " Rothmans Complete Players Records " Jeff was born on 8-2-52 so he would have just been 66. Played 2 first team games in the 1969-70 season. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Leonard Venkhater 4307 Posted February 25, 2018 Share Posted February 25, 2018 16 hours ago, Stonesrick said: Loved watching this team. Alan Hunter, class player, Kenny Knighton, bustling midfielder, Eamonn, my favourite at that time. If we had a better centre half and left winger, we could have done something with this team. Connelly was at the end of his career but scored plenty of goals for a winger.Happy days in the Darren End. There they were one December, sitting proudly at the top of the table with Huddersfield Town. (Worthington, Cherry et al.) Then Newton goes to Everton, followed by a truly heartbreaking Christmas, that seemed to set a pattern for the rest of my Rovers life lol. Anyway this was the start of a 2 year, downward tailspin that ended up in the bottom 3 of the old Third Division. Rebirth one Friday night at Tranmere. We're Blackburn Rovers and we're on our way back....again! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
den 7782 Posted February 25, 2018 Share Posted February 25, 2018 18 hours ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said: First time I saw Billy play a pal of mine was playing on the right wing for Rochdale Reserves. He was nagging me to go up and watch him play and seeing as the opposition was Rovers " A " team I went up to Spotland. His immediate opponent was a little tubby blonde lad. My pal was pretty rapid and he gave the blonde lad a bit of a chasing. Afterwards he said to me " You're a better left back than that blonde kid Tyrone, he was hopeless ". I said " You're right, he'll never make a player as long as he lives ! "The little tubby blonde lad was Billy Wilson. I remembered his name from the team sheet because he was so bad ! Next time I saw him was a year or two later and he was in the first team ! He had slimmed down a fair bit and put on a bit of pace. He was still a bit raw but you could see he had the makings of a player. As time went by he became the tough, uncompromising little terrier of a player that rarely got a chasing off anybody. His partnership with Keith Newton gave us the two best full backs in the old second division. He was neat and tidy on the ball and quick in the tackle, the sort of player that never took a backward step irrespective of the size of the opponent. I always thought he'd the makings of a good defensive midfield player and I believe Pompey played him there later in his career. I came to be a big fan of his and I was gutted when he was allowed to drift away to Portsmouth. Thanks for the memories Billy, you proved me and my pal wrong. Incidentally we had a midfielder that day that was absolutely awesome. He was like a more mobile David Dunn, he covered every blade of grass and he was tackling at one end and scoring a goal at the other. He had it all. Both me and my pal said " He can't fail, he's a world beater ". He was called Roy Wilford . This game would be in the October and at the end of the season he was released and went straight into non-league. He had a good career at that level but he never made the heights we thought he would. Funny game football. Just reinforces my belief that it nigh impossible to judge which youngster is likely to make it and which isn’t. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
den 7782 Posted February 25, 2018 Share Posted February 25, 2018 14 hours ago, Parsonblue said: A wonderful full-back and one of a number of youngsters who came down from the North-east in the early sixties - Martin Hall, Roland Horrey, Dick Mulvaney Dave Holt and Billy who I well remember watching in the reserves before Billy and Dick broke into the first team. Billy was a great attacking full-back who served the club well during a difficult period. I hope we do something to remember him on Sunday before the Wigan game. I've seen nothing better than that 63-64 forward line at Ewood Park and the 7-2 destruction of the famous Spurs team remains one of my great Ewood memories. Yes Parson that forward line was unplayable on their day. They ran some of the best defenders in the country ragged at that time. Goals would come from everywhere. anyway, my real reason for posting is because of one name who I couldn’t recollect until you mentioned him - Roland Horrey. Horrey, if I’m on the right guy was a regular and outstanding player in the side that won the central league. We didn’t win that too often. What happened to him? Did he ever make a first team appearance? He was certainly a key man. I remember sitting on the riverside with around 5000 other fans, in the spring sunshine watching the team wrap up the central league title. Reserve teams were real reserve teams in those days. No resting of players - if you didn’t turn out for the first team, you played for the reserves. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tyrone Shoelaces 12988 Posted February 25, 2018 Share Posted February 25, 2018 Just now, den said: Just reinforces my belief that it nigh impossible to judge which youngster is likely to make it and which isn’t. In those two cases I couldn't have been more wrong ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tyrone Shoelaces 12988 Posted February 25, 2018 Share Posted February 25, 2018 (edited) Just now, den said: Yes Parson that forward line was unplayable on their day. They ran some of the best defenders in the country ragged at that time. Goals would come from everywhere. anyway, my real reason for posting is because of one name who I couldn’t recollect until you mentioned him - Roland Horrey. Horrey, if I’m on the right guy was a regular and outstanding player in the side that won the central league. We didn’t win that too often. What happened to him? Did he ever make a first team appearance? He was certainly a key man. I remember sitting on the riverside with around 5000 other fans, in the spring sunshine watching the team wrap up the central league title. Reserve teams were real reserve teams in those days. No resting of players - if you didn’t turn out for the first team, you played for the reserves. We signed Rowland Horrey from Ferryhill Athletic in Dec 1963 when he was 20 years old so he was a late starter really. Making his debut in the infamous 1-5 League Cup home defeat by Workington Town ! He had played in 3 Div 1 league games for the first team before he was allowed to join York in August 1966. After playing 74 games ( 9 goals ) at York he moved on to Cambridge in August 1970. He played 38 games ( 1 sub, 4 goals ) before drifting out of the pro game. The games he played in apart from the Workington game were. 1964-65 Stoke A Draw 1-1 1965-66 Stoke H Loss 0-1 1965-66 West Ham H Loss 1-2 So he wasn't exactly a lucky player for us ! Edited February 25, 2018 by Tyrone Shoelaces Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tyrone Shoelaces 12988 Posted February 25, 2018 Share Posted February 25, 2018 That title winning Central League team had Reg Blore ( 25 goals in 39 games ) , George Jones ( 12 goals in 25 games ) and Rowland Horrey ( 9 goals in 30 games ) playing up front. Billy Wilson also played 26 games and actually scored 1 goal for the club ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
den 7782 Posted February 25, 2018 Share Posted February 25, 2018 Thanks Tyrone. Great stats. I also remember Stuart Metcalfes early games playing right wing in the reserves. Now he did look the part from the off. He was compared to Bryan Douglas at that time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
meadows 615 Posted February 25, 2018 Author Share Posted February 25, 2018 3 hours ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said: Both lads were around my age. It's getting worrying. Jeff was in the 1968-69 Youth Cup side which famously beat Liverpool 4-0 at Ewood on New Year Day 1969 and almost certainly a scorer that day in front of a decent Ewood crowd We lost to Man Utd in the following round but the Liverpool win is definitely in my top 10 performances by any Rovers team ever, it was a fantastic day and display. Joy, Mullen, Atherton, Metcalfe, Wood, Whalley, Dunning were in that side from memory I did once post a photo of the programme I’ll see if I can find it. None of the Liverpool side went on to do much, I was quite disappointed when I found that out Quote Link to post Share on other sites
grinder 105 Posted March 1, 2018 Share Posted March 1, 2018 On 25/02/2018 at 14:01, meadows said: Jeff was in the 1968-69 Youth Cup side which famously beat Liverpool 4-0 at Ewood on New Year Day 1969 and almost certainly a scorer that day in front of a decent Ewood crowd We lost to Man Utd in the following round but the Liverpool win is definitely in my top 10 performances by any Rovers team ever, it was a fantastic day and display. Joy, Mullen, Atherton, Metcalfe, Wood, Whalley, Dunning were in that side from memory I did once post a photo of the programme I’ll see if I can find it. None of the Liverpool side went on to do much, I was quite disappointed when I found that out Thanks Meadows - you have just jogged my memory of my first ever Rovers game!! Knew it was against Liverpool in the Youth Cup and remembered the score and Stuart Metcalfe and I was about 8 at the time - you've just made my day Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tonyoz 372 Posted March 1, 2018 Share Posted March 1, 2018 It's great to see so many remembering Billy with affection. I loved all the anecdotes. Thanks for the memories. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post Scott Wilson 34 Posted March 5, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted March 5, 2018 I just joined the site to acknowledge all the kind words in this thread about my dad Billy My sister came across it and sent it to me this pm. Dad sadly passed away on 21st following some surgery, it wasn't expect and was a shock to my mum Heather and all the family. It has been a comfort in many ways reading the kind words of strangers who knew him as a player or latterly as a landlord. He never stopped loving the game, in fact just a few days before he passed we watched his beloved Newcastle (he was born and bred geordie) beat Man U which cheered him up no end. I don't remember much about his BRFC days as he left Rovers when I was just 2 so I grew up watching him play for Pompey. Although I am a die hard PFC fan the second score I always look for is Rovers - dads other team and the town of my birth. Mum kept clipping which I archived for his 70th. I have stuck a couple of my favorite cuttings up as pics including his debut against Chelsea and a piece about playing Keith Newton in the cup after he moved on (we were next door neighbours!) hank you again for all the kind words - he was my hero and I will always miss him Up the Rovers and Play Up Pompey Quote Link to post Share on other sites
arbitro 9898 Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 42 minutes ago, Scott Wilson said: I just joined the site to acknowledge all the kind words in this thread about my dad Billy My sister came across it and sent it to me this pm. Dad sadly passed away on 21st following some surgery, it wasn't expect and was a shock to my mum Heather and all the family. It has been a comfort in many ways reading the kind words of strangers who knew him as a player or latterly as a landlord. He never stopped loving the game, in fact just a few days before he passed we watched his beloved Newcastle (he was born and bred geordie) beat Man U which cheered him up no end. I don't remember much about his BRFC days as he left Rovers when I was just 2 so I grew up watching him play for Pompey. Although I am a die hard PFC fan the second score I always look for is Rovers - dads other team and the town of my birth. Mum kept clipping which I archived for his 70th. I have stuck a couple of my favorite cuttings up as pics including his debut against Chelsea and a piece about playing Keith Newton in the cup after he moved on (we were next door neighbours!) hank you again for all the kind words - he was my hero and I will always miss him Up the Rovers and Play Up Pompey That was some team your Dad made his debut in. Thanks for taking the time to post a lovely and emotive piece. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tyrone Shoelaces 12988 Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 Thanks for that Scott, your dad was a good 'un for the Rovers and will always be held in high regard by those who saw him play. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bazza 1827 Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 Thank you, Scott Wilson. That post is one of the best I've ever seen on this message board. I used to love watching Billy play. I used to call him "Billy Whizz". There was a character in a children's comic by the same name at the time, and your dad was a good, strong, left full-back who could sprint forwards when attacking and backwards when defending. He was a cheeky-faced, blonde-haired lad. Great memories for me. RIP Billy and condolences to you and family. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
meadows 615 Posted March 6, 2018 Author Share Posted March 6, 2018 Many thanks Scott those are great clippings - no surprise to see Keith with a fag, he was a proper chain smoker! Thoughts with your family, your mum worked at Star Paper here for a while and my dad remembers her well Billy was a real hero of me & many other kids and hopefully Rovers will Mark his sad passing this weekend Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Leonard Venkhater 4307 Posted March 6, 2018 Share Posted March 6, 2018 56 minutes ago, meadows said: Many thanks Scott those are great clippings - no surprise to see Keith with a fag, he was a proper chain smoker! Thoughts with your family, your mum worked at Star Paper here for a while and my dad remembers her well Billy was a real hero of me & many other kids and hopefully Rovers will Mark his sad passing this weekend Blimey, so he is fagging it! ..I thought it was a trick of photography.. Billy Wilson and Eamonn Rogers were my two favourite players. I was gutted when Billy left for Portsmouth during Furphy's revolution. Billy is well thought of and remembered with warmth by many fans of my age. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
oldjamfan1 5963 Posted March 6, 2018 Share Posted March 6, 2018 16 hours ago, Scott Wilson said: I just joined the site to acknowledge all the kind words in this thread about my dad Billy My sister came across it and sent it to me this pm. Dad sadly passed away on 21st following some surgery, it wasn't expect and was a shock to my mum Heather and all the family. It has been a comfort in many ways reading the kind words of strangers who knew him as a player or latterly as a landlord. He never stopped loving the game, in fact just a few days before he passed we watched his beloved Newcastle (he was born and bred geordie) beat Man U which cheered him up no end. I don't remember much about his BRFC days as he left Rovers when I was just 2 so I grew up watching him play for Pompey. Although I am a die hard PFC fan the second score I always look for is Rovers - dads other team and the town of my birth. Mum kept clipping which I archived for his 70th. I have stuck a couple of my favorite cuttings up as pics including his debut against Chelsea and a piece about playing Keith Newton in the cup after he moved on (we were next door neighbours!) hank you again for all the kind words - he was my hero and I will always miss him Up the Rovers and Play Up Pompey Thanks for taking the time to post these wonderful cuttings at what must be a difficult and painful time for you Scott. Condolences to you and your family and may your dad rest in peace alongside all the other Rovers that have passed on. As others have said, hopefully the club will mark his passing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post den 7782 Posted March 6, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted March 6, 2018 Scott, just to add, in all my years watching Rovers I have never heard any Rovers fan, speak in any way other than with high regard for your Dad. There are only a select few players that fit into that catageory. It upset me to hear of his passing, because Billy was a part of an era that I - and many others - remember with real fondness. You and your family take care. We will be thinking of you. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scott Wilson 34 Posted March 8, 2018 Share Posted March 8, 2018 As discussed with a few folks on twitter I am posting a few more pics from the "wilson" scrap book - hope folks find it interesting Quote Link to post Share on other sites
meadows 615 Posted March 8, 2018 Author Share Posted March 8, 2018 5 minutes ago, Scott Wilson said: As discussed with a few folks on twitter I am posting a few more pics from the "wilson" scrap book - hope folks find it interesting They are marvellous Scott. The one of Jimmy Fryatt, Billy and George Sharples on the snow is brilliant. Laurie Calloway! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stuart 17618 Posted March 8, 2018 Share Posted March 8, 2018 Brilliant pictures! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bazza 1827 Posted March 8, 2018 Share Posted March 8, 2018 The penultimate photo, in front of the coach, I'm struggling to identify some. Eamonn Rogers, George Sharples, ?, Jim Fryatt, Dick Mulvaney, John Connelly, Billy Wilson, ?, Don Martin. The three at the front ??? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
arbitro 9898 Posted March 8, 2018 Share Posted March 8, 2018 (edited) 51 minutes ago, bazza said: The penultimate photo, in front of the coach, I'm struggling to identify some. Eamonn Rogers, George Sharples, ?, Jim Fryatt, Dick Mulvaney, John Connelly, Billy Wilson, ?, Don Martin. The three at the front ??? Is it Adam Blacklaw at the back and possibly Malcolm Darling front left? Edit. Stuart Metcalfe middle front? Edited March 8, 2018 by arbitro Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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