Memory Lane Billy Best

[LCBB72]

All the above messages were cut and pasted into a card that became a sixteen page document of over 100+ messages with various FB groups of both SUFC and NTFC contributing too. Thank you to all who took the time and trouble to write a message.

It has been sent to King Billy today (couldn't get it done and with him before his birthday unfortunately due to time restraint on having to cut and paste the text & getting the document bound) by special delivery. Will post a few pics of the finished article once he receives it, a couple below now however for all to see.

A Fine Tribute To A Great Man .

 

[Big Bad Barry Corr]

A Fine Tribute To A Great Man .

Thank you LCBB72. Hopefully King Billy will be pleased with it

 

[Big Bad Barry Corr]

Hi Dave, just wanted to say a big "Thank You" to you for all the time, trouble and effort that you put into this over the last week or so, it really was a tear in the eye moment for me to read all those wonderful tributes to Billy over the last few days and to realise just how much he meant to so many people from all those years ago. #Thank You- Big Bad Barry.

I enjoyed doing it Dave. Think it made a lot of people happy to be able to send King Billy a personal message and hopefully he will be pleased to receive it too

 

[billy best was god]

As my membership is Billy Best was god should really change it to Billy Best is still my god -

Happy Birthday Billy many thanks for the joy you gave me at 7 years old

 

[Big Bad Barry Corr]

I received a message from King Billy's daughter Lindsey yesterday to say how pleased and moved he was to have received everyone's birthday greetings last week. Apparently "he couldn't believe so many people would take the time to send him messages after all this time" and it was quite emotional for him to see how much love there still is for him both here and at NTFC.

About ten minutes ago, this e mail arrived from the great man himself -

"Hi Dave. Thank you very much for the birthday wishes. The birthday wishes you put together from friends and supporters is very touching and something I will treasure always. Words dont seem enough but I was sincere with my thanks. Take care and please keep in touch...................Billy".

Thank you again for all who took the time and trouble to post. #Always The King

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Does anyone have any video footage of him playing?

 

[Cricko]

Does anyone have any video footage of him playing?

I havent seen anything.

 

[Voice of Reason]

Does anyone have any video footage of him playing?

Only in my head, never forgotten

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

Does anyone have any video footage of him playing?

I looked everywhere one day years ago, nothing playing for Southend..

 

[B.B.The Legend Lives On.]

Does anyone have any video footage of him playing?

Sadly not playing for us although the DVD "The Team we call United" does have quite a few clips of Billy in it. This is available from the Shrimpers Trust for just £2.00. and is possibly the best (pardon the pun) item to buy as the years on it featured are 1967-69. However You Tube has a Cobbler's match from 1975-76? when they beat Bournemouth 6-0 at the Country Ground with Billy doing what he always did for us by scoring a couple of goals.

 

[LCBB72]

Does anyone have any video footage of him playing?

There is film of King Billy playing for Northampton v Bournmouth on youtube , an added bonus is King Billy gets two goals . Also future Southend player Steve Phillips is also playing for Northampton .

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

Past his best, put on a few pounds, playing as a defender/midfielder. But couldn't stop himself joining the attack with his hunger for goals. The second one is a typical Billy Best. He was great at diving headers, and headed with power. For those that never saw him play, I would say he was the most accurate striker Southend ever had, and he was a nightmare for defenders, as he was so quick around the penalty area, and would find space, and seemed to be in the right place a lot.

 

[tsbl2000]

Sadly not playing for us although the DVD "The Team we call United" does have quite a few clips of Billy in it. This is available from the Shrimpers Trust for just £2.00. and is possibly the best (pardon the pun) item to buy as the years on it featured are 1967-69. However You Tube has a Cobbler's match from 1975-76? when they beat Bournemouth 6-0 at the Country Ground with Billy doing what he always did for us by scoring a couple of goals.

I'd not seen this before, only the Southend DVD. What a wonderful reminder of the freedom and creativity Billy had. If there was a chance of goal he'd take it. I'd rather forgotten how good he was with his head. Thanks for pointing me to this wonderful footage.

 

[Shrimpergonzo]

Great that so many were able to send messages to Billy and that he appreciated this so much. Given his birthday has now happened, I'm going to merge this thread with the Billy Best one on the ex-player board. Feel free to continue reminiscences on there!