Peter Billingham
Peter Arnold Billingham (1938-2019) was a greyhound trainer and an English professional footballer.
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | 8 October 1938 | ||
Place of birth | Pensnett, West Midlands, England | ||
Date of death | August 2019 (aged 80) | ||
Playing position(s) | Wing-half | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1955-1959 | Walsall | 99 | (9) |
1960-1960 | West Bromwich Albion | 7 | (0) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only |
Football career
Billingham was associated with Worcester City F.C., Brierley Hill Alliance F.C. and Hednesford Town F.C.[1] before making his professional debut for Walsall during October 1955 and played 99 times for the club. He was transferred to West Bromwich Albion for £7,000 in May 1960.[2]
Greyhound racing career
After retiring from football Billingham pursued a career in greyhound racing. He became a trainer and had a career that lasted over forty years until he retired in 2008 and handed the kennels to his daughter Kim. He trained out of the Swindon near Dudley kennels[3] and was contracted at Kings Heath, Cradley, Norton Canes and a long association with Monmore Green Stadium.[4]
Some of his highlights included reaching the 2007 Oaks final and training Honeygar Bell, who broke the Oxford Stadium track record[5] and receiving a lifetime achievement award in 2008, at the Midland Greyhound Ball at the NEC Hilton Metropole, Birmingham.[6]
References
- "No.74 Peter Arnold Billingham" (PDF). Hednesford Town F.C.
- Hugman, Barry (1998). The PFA Premier and Football League Players' records 1946-1998. Queen Anne Press. p. 56. ISBN 1-85291-585-4.
- Barnes, Julia (1988). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File. Ringpress Books. ISBN 0-948955-15-5.
- "Peter Billingham". Greyhound Star.
- "14 November race". Greyhound Data.
- "Dog Racing: Billingham brings house down; MIDLAND AWARDS". The Racing Post.