Billy Higgins (English footballer)

William Charles Higgins (26 February 1924 — 1981) was an English footballer who played as a winger.

Billy Higgins
Personal information
Full name William Charles Higgins[1]
Date of birth 26 February 1924
Place of birth Birkenhead, England
Date of death 1981 (aged 57/58)
Place of death Canterbury, England
Position(s) Winger
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1945–1946 Tranmere Rovers 0 (0)
1946–1950 Everton 48 (8)
1950 Millonarios
1950–1953 Bangor City
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career edit

In 1946, Everton signed Higgins from Tranmere Rovers, with whom he played for on amateur terms. Higgins made his debut for Everton on 21 September 1946 in a 0–0 Merseyside derby draw against Liverpool. Over the course of four seasons, Higgins made 48 league appearances, scoring eight times.[2]

In May 1950, Higgins signed for Colombian club Millonarios, during the El Dorado era of Colombian football, in which a breakaway league was formed. Despite receiving a £1,000 signing-on fee and a monthly wage of £120, Higgins' time in Colombia was short lived. The Liverpool Echo reported Higgins was unhappy in Colombia and in financial despair, with his signing-on fee "not in order". Higgins returned to England five months later, with £19 to his name. As a result of leaving Everton to join Colombia's Campeonato Profesional, Higgins was suspended by The Football Association, before having his suspension later lifted. Despite talks with Luton Town and Sheffield Wednesday, Higgins eventually ended up signing for Welsh club Bangor City, who played in the English non-league system.[3]

Higgins made his debut for Bangor on 2 December 1950, scoring in a 2–1 win against Runcorn.[4] In October 1952, Higgins had a transfer request accepted by the club. Despite this, he remained with Bangor until the end of the 1952–53 season.[5]

References edit

  1. ^ "Billy Higgins". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  2. ^ "Bill Higgins". 11v11. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  3. ^ "Who Wants To Be A Millionario?". EFC Statto. 24 March 2017. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  4. ^ "1950/51 Cheshire County League". The Citizens Choice. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  5. ^ "1952/53 Cheshire County League". The Citizens Choice. Retrieved 13 May 2021.