So not withstanding the fact that some recent entries are scrapping the bottom of the barrel and that we have just lost to Dagenham, the current top 5 best Billys are
Billy's Boots
Billy Wright
Billy Bragg
Billy Bonds
Billy the Fish
all of whom could have got a game with us today, although I think that I would have started Bragg on the bench and only brought him on if we needed someone on the left to drive a (red) wedge through their defence.
Are there any boxing Billys? Was Bombadier Billy Wells one (of the rank gong fame) or have I made that up?
[cite]Posted By: Cordoban Addick[/cite] Are there any boxing Billys? Was Bombadier Billy Wells one (of the rank gong fame) or have I made that up?
Not making it up, Bombardier Billy Wells was indeed a boxer - British and British Empire Champion at Heavyweight from 1911 to 1919 and the first heavyweight to win a Lonsdale Belt. He was also the first Rank 'gong man' as you say. And he would probably have got a game for us today as well.
[cite]Posted By: Cordoban Addick[/cite]Are there any boxing Billys? Was Bombadier Billy Wells one (of the rank gong fame) or have I made that up?
Not making it up, Bombardier Billy Wells was indeed a boxer - British and British Empire Champion at Heavyweight from 1911 to 1919 and the first heavyweight to win a Lonsdale Belt. He was also the first Rank 'gong man' as you say. And he would probably have got a game for us today as well.
I am sure he would have got a game and not been so J. Arthur as the rest of them!
[cite]Posted By: Cordoban Addick[/cite]Are there any boxing Billys? Was Bombadier Billy Wells one (of the rank gong fame) or have I made that up?
Not making it up, Bombardier Billy Wells was indeed a boxer - British and British Empire Champion at Heavyweight from 1911 to 1919 and the first heavyweight to win a Lonsdale Belt. He was also the first Rank 'gong man' as you say. And he would probably have got a game for us today as well.
I am sure he would have got a game and not been so J. Arthur as the rest of them!
Lol!
He might have been an Addick - he was in the Royal Artillery and based at Woolwich for a while. His Lonsdale Belt was on display with the Mess silver at the barracks there until the Royal Artillery moved out recently. Apparently its now at Larkhill Barracks.
Another boxing Billy was Billy 'Golden Boy' Walker in the 1960s. He fought, and lost to, Henry Cooper for the British heavyweight title and I think he also challenged for the European title but without success. I remember he was a crowd favourite because of his 'never say die' spirit and bravery in the ring. I think he became a succesful property owner with his brother.
Billy Wells must have been an addick (re writes history to own ends) and I rememeber my dad going on about Billy Walker (so he must have been as well).
Incidently I come from a bit of a boxing family and had two great uncles from N. Ireland who both used to fight under the name William Orange! This was years ago however and I can find no trace of them on internet searches, they must have been born in around the 1890s.
Comments
Billy don't be a hero
Billy can
Puffin Billy
OK no idea about BT Billy boys Henners, nor Billy Riley.
and Fanny Is Billy the Feeesh really Big Mouth Billy Bass?
http://www.wat.tv/video/flyin-saucers-rock-roll-billy-2zaen_2xqax_.html
Billy Preston
Billy Fury
Billy Ray Cyrus
Billy Jean King
Billy's Boots
Billy Wright
Billy Bragg
Billy Bonds
Billy the Fish
all of whom could have got a game with us today, although I think that I would have started Bragg on the bench and only brought him on if we needed someone on the left to drive a (red) wedge through their defence.
Are there any boxing Billys? Was Bombadier Billy Wells one (of the rank gong fame) or have I made that up?
Not making it up, Bombardier Billy Wells was indeed a boxer - British and British Empire Champion at Heavyweight from 1911 to 1919 and the first heavyweight to win a Lonsdale Belt. He was also the first Rank 'gong man' as you say. And he would probably have got a game for us today as well.
I am sure he would have got a game and not been so J. Arthur as the rest of them!
Lol!
He might have been an Addick - he was in the Royal Artillery and based at Woolwich for a while. His Lonsdale Belt was on display with the Mess silver at the barracks there until the Royal Artillery moved out recently. Apparently its now at Larkhill Barracks.
Incidently I come from a bit of a boxing family and had two great uncles from N. Ireland who both used to fight under the name William Orange! This was years ago however and I can find no trace of them on internet searches, they must have been born in around the 1890s.