Jump to content

Wilf Billington: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
Line 51: Line 51:


== Early life and education ==
== Early life and education ==
Born in [[Blackburn]], Billington attended [[St Albans School, Hertfordshire|St Alban's School]].<ref name=":0" /> He attended school with Jack Walker, who went on to help the Blackburn Rovers win the Premier League in 1995.<ref name=":0" />
Born in [[Blackburn]], Billington attended [[St Albans School, Hertfordshire|St Alban's School]].<ref name=":0" /> His schoolmates included Jack Walker, who went on to help the Blackburn Rovers win the Premier League in 1995.<ref name=":0" />


==Career==
==Career==

Revision as of 04:57, 23 December 2023

Wilf Billington
Personal information
Full name Wilfred Francis Billington[1]
Date of birth (1930-01-28)28 January 1930
Place of birth Blackburn, England
Date of death 1 October 2023(2023-10-01) (aged 93)
Place of death Australia
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
Rochdale
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1948–1954 Blackburn Rovers 0 (0)
1954–1958 Workington 53 (0)
1958–1959 Headington United
Balgownie Rangers
South Coast United
Melbourne Hellas
Total 53+ (0+)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Wilfred Francis Billington (28 January 1930 – 1 October 2023) was an English professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper in England and Australia.

Early life and education

Born in Blackburn, Billington attended St Alban's School.[2] His schoolmates included Jack Walker, who went on to help the Blackburn Rovers win the Premier League in 1995.[2]

Career

Billington began his career with Rochdale, later playing for Blackburn Rovers, Workington and Headington United.[3][1][4][2]

He then emigrated to Australia, playing for Balgownie Rangers, South Coast United and Melbourne Hellas.[5] After retiring from football in 1965, he lived in Wollongong and worked in a steelworks, first as a fitter and then as a salesman.[6] He obtained a degree aged 55 and worked for a politician.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b "Wilf Billington". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Anson, John (22 July 2010). "Ex-Blackburn Rovers keeper Wilf saves memories of Jack". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  3. ^ "Sports Personality of the Year 2023: Remembering the stars we have lost". BBC Sport. 19 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  4. ^ Wilf Billington at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
  5. ^ "Reds mourn fifties 'keeper". 10 October 2023.
  6. ^ a b "Workington Reds goalie Wilf Billington dies aged 93 – cumbriacrack.com".