ARTICLE: Billy Elliott’s seaside swan song

[ClaretTony]

Delighted to publish an article this morning from Tim Quelch on former Burnley player Billy Elliott. My dad would have been thrilled to read this, Elliott was one of his favourite players.

The only Burnley player sent off in the first 20 years of post-war football and for a reason that would surely be laughed at now.

Enjoy the read, I did
http://www.uptheclarets.com/billy-ellio ... -swan-song" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ClaretLoup]

Excellent stuff as always by Tim. Many thanks.

[ClaretTony]

Excellent stuff as always by Tim. Many thanks.

It's excellent isn't it?

[mdd2]

A look of intent is what my Dad said. I don't think it was in the Preston game either where he literally laid out Willi Cunningham. Dad said that there was a clash between Willy and Billy. Willy rolled up his sleeves and confronted Elliot but ended up spreadeagled on the deck.
I only have vague memories of him playing but I have posted the next bit before.
In 1970 I was living in N/C and our milkman had played briefly for Boro and when he knew I was a Claret he told me of his debut for Boro against Sunderland. Apparently custom and practice was that when a youngster was making their debut the senior professional from the other side met them and wished them well. Billy came over to him and said "Making your debut? well come anywhere near me and I will break your ****** leg"

[Royboyclaret]

Good article indeed.

Tough as teak was Elliott and my Dad often recalled the day he kicked Preston's Cunningham over the Longside wall.

[dsr]

I can't believe that I've never heard the trivia question "who is the only former Burnley player to be manager of Libya?".

Wasn't it Elliott and Cunningham who played against each other Christmas Day and Boxing Day, or Boxing Day and Dec 27th; and they had such a kicking game in the first match that the Burnley manager switched Elliott to the other wing to avoid the trouble next day. The problem being, the Preston manager did the same thing with Cunningham ...

[ClaretTony]

Wasn't it Elliott and Cunningham who played against each other Christmas Day and Boxing Day, or Boxing Day and Dec 27th; and they had such a kicking game in the first match that the Burnley manager switched Elliott to the other wing to avoid the trouble next day. The problem being, the Preston manager did the same thing with Cunningham ...

You might find it useful to read the article.

[ClaretTony]

Good article indeed.

Tough as teak was Elliott and my Dad often recalled the day he kicked Preston's Cunningham over the Longside wall.

I used to ask my dad why he liked him so much, the response was always: "He was hard as nails."

[claretblue]

'...he kicked Preston's Cunningham over the Longside wall...'

...and that was before kick-off!

great article!

[dsr]

You might find it useful to read the article.

You mean the return match was New Years' Day, not Boxing Day?

[Bfc]

At the time Elliot or any other player was being bought, a director would do the scouting missions. I knew Tom Lawson ( the father of former late Burnley CC chairman Peter Lawson). He was friend of a Director who used to watch players being considered us. Tom would often accompany the Director on spying missions and give his considered opinion on players. I remember him telling me of watching Elliot playing for Bradford PA before we signed him. How football scouting has changed since the early fifties.

[oldun]

Billy Elliott was the roughest, toughest footballer ever to play for Burnley in post war years. Two footed sliding tackles were his speciality. He used to get to the bye line and fire balls across from the left wing low and hard so anyone who touched them could, and often did, result in a deflected goal. He once scored a penalty by facing the wrong way then spinning round and hitting the ball into the net.

Incidentally the return game against Preston on Boxing day 1951 was postponed because of a frozen pitch.

Also, the referee who sent Elliott off at Manchester City in 1952 was called Thurman ( can't remember his first name)