Billy Hughes, RIP



Roman maroni said:
Not a mention of his death on Football Focus but they took time to mention the death of a Dulwich Hamlet fan who they interviewed a couple of weeks ago at a F.A cup match, sad as that is I thought they would have mentioned Billy also.
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That's absolute and uncontroversial truth tht Bob Wilson is still pulling the strings at that pathetic institution. Absolute tossers to a man.
 
Anybody knows where and when his funeral is or where he lives?smb wreath for the great man is the least we can do ..Roger over to you!And if you wont do it roger i will as we need to demonstrate to the family what respect we have for the great man!
 
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Latka Gravas said:
I’d guess he probably did, unfortunately not his decision.
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Indeed, sadly.
TwasOnTheFifthOfMay said:
It's a pity his 3 goals in the Man City games were on ITV.
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Or his two at Old Trafford in second division I was there in a 3-2 defeat !
oddbod said:
Anybody knows where and when his funeral is or where he lives?smb wreath for the great man is the least we can do ..Roger over to you!And if you wont do it roger i will as we need to demonstrate to the family what respect we have for the great man!
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I know a few ex lads who are going but don’t think announcements are made yet it will be in Newark probs.
Nil desperandum said:
That's absolute and uncontroversial truth tht Bob Wilson is still pulling the strings at that pathetic institution. Absolute tossers to a man.
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Putting it mildly the f***ing set of twats, Wilson be fucked, couldn’t kick me !
 
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Just catching up it's the board tonight and read about this so sad
However if what is said about look north then I'm absolutely disgusted by that
I'll check the facts and right a formal letter of complaint to the bbc

It's complete disrespectful and when I compare some the syncophantic tributes to mags in look north and they show that
What about the cup semi or the corner in the final


One word shitheads one thing I hate is lack of fairness and this displays it
I bet Jeff was foaming
 
I’m a first time poster on here, but just felt the need to pay my own tribute to the great man.

In my 50 years as a fan, Billy Hughes was, and still is, one of the most exciting players that I’ve ever witnessed in a Sunderland shirt. He’s someone, who despite the years that have passed, and all of the players that I’ve seen come and go, will always command a place in my favourite Sunderland eleven.

In my opinion, if he’d chosen the same path as Dennis Tueart, been more ambitious and seeking to play at the highest level, he would have undoubtedly, have went on to have become a legend in the game, outside of Sunderland. He could have been up there, with other 70’s mavericks, the likes of Tony Currie, Rodney Marsh and Stan Bowles. Instead, Billy chose loyalty, and remained at Sunderland when he was at the height of his prowess.

Lightning fast, lethal with either foot, good in the air, cocky, and with a touch of arrogance thrown in, he had it all. Someone on here has posted the old MOTD footage of the legendary 1974 game at Old Trafford, if you never saw him play, this showcases Billy at his best. I can still see him now, receiving the ball on the wing, approaching the full back with the ball at a virtual walking pace, the defender backing off, and then in a turn of speed, Billy was off, leaving the defender in his wake.

Billy’s role in the 73 cup run is legendary, not only because of the vital goals he scored, but also his antics off the pitch, which proved pivotal to the success. Billy’s fun loving personality is well known, he was undoubtedly the Joker in the pack, and it is this, which is widely accredited by the other members of that squad, as being crucial to the cup win. From stories which came out after the final, it’s apparent, that it was Billy who kept everyone relaxed.

Those who were around at the time, will never forget the TV interview with both sets of players in their hotels on the morning of the game. I can still remember poor old Barry Davies (secret MLF) trying his best to conduct a sensible interview with the Sunderland players, but all you could hear in the background, was Billy’s ‘laughing box’, which he’d set off at just the right moment during the interviews. Cue mass laughing from the rest of the lads, and the interview turning into a farce. Cut to the Leeds hotel, and you could sense the fear and impending doom among their players. So basically, Sunderland already had one hand on the cup, without even leaving their hotel, all thanks to Billy’s cheap plastic laughing box contraption and his sense of fun.

The following story was told to me by an old workmate (George) many years ago. The story itself takes place in the mid-seventies, and knowing the type of person George was, I have no reason to doubt its authenticity. George had a part time job working behind the bar in the Golden Lion at South Hylton, where Billy was a regular, and so knew Billy very well. One night, in comes Billy with a couple of friends. George described one of Billy’s friends, as ‘’a scruffy looking bloke with messy hair, dressed in an old jumper’’. The other, George described, was a stunning blonde female, who looked as far out of place in the said pub, as you could ever imagine.

On reaching the bar, Billy asks George if he recognised who his mate was, to which George replied, that he had no idea. Now old George wasn’t familiar with the 70’s music scene, and failed to recognise that Billy’s mate, was none other than Rod Stewart. And the stunning blonde? Well, that was Rods girlfriend at the time, Britt Ekland. Rod and Britt in the Golden Lion at South Hylton, can you imagine! As I say, I have no reason to doubt the story, and it’s quite well known that a few of the 73 cup winning side were indeed on friendly terms with Mr Tory Boy Stewart.

RIP Billy, and thanks for all of the memories. ‘’HA HA HA HA HA HA’’
 
FunnyOwldGame said:
I’m a first time poster on here, but just felt the need to pay my own tribute to the great man.

In my 50 years as a fan, Billy Hughes was, and still is, one of the most exciting players that I’ve ever witnessed in a Sunderland shirt. He’s someone, who despite the years that have passed, and all of the players that I’ve seen come and go, will always command a place in my favourite Sunderland eleven.

In my opinion, if he’d chosen the same path as Dennis Tueart, been more ambitious and seeking to play at the highest level, he would have undoubtedly, have went on to have become a legend in the game, outside of Sunderland. He could have been up there, with other 70’s mavericks, the likes of Tony Currie, Rodney Marsh and Stan Bowles. Instead, Billy chose loyalty, and remained at Sunderland when he was at the height of his prowess.

Lightning fast, lethal with either foot, good in the air, cocky, and with a touch of arrogance thrown in, he had it all. Someone on here has posted the old MOTD footage of the legendary 1974 game at Old Trafford, if you never saw him play, this showcases Billy at his best. I can still see him now, receiving the ball on the wing, approaching the full back with the ball at a virtual walking pace, the defender backing off, and then in a turn of speed, Billy was off, leaving the defender in his wake.

Billy’s role in the 73 cup run is legendary, not only because of the vital goals he scored, but also his antics off the pitch, which proved pivotal to the success. Billy’s fun loving personality is well known, he was undoubtedly the Joker in the pack, and it is this, which is widely accredited by the other members of that squad, as being crucial to the cup win. From stories which came out after the final, it’s apparent, that it was Billy who kept everyone relaxed.

Those who were around at the time, will never forget the TV interview with both sets of players in their hotels on the morning of the game. I can still remember poor old Barry Davies (secret MLF) trying his best to conduct a sensible interview with the Sunderland players, but all you could hear in the background, was Billy’s ‘laughing box’, which he’d set off at just the right moment during the interviews. Cue mass laughing from the rest of the lads, and the interview turning into a farce. Cut to the Leeds hotel, and you could sense the fear and impending doom among their players. So basically, Sunderland already had one hand on the cup, without even leaving their hotel, all thanks to Billy’s cheap plastic laughing box contraption and his sense of fun.

The following story was told to me by an old workmate (George) many years ago. The story itself takes place in the mid-seventies, and knowing the type of person George was, I have no reason to doubt its authenticity. George had a part time job working behind the bar in the Golden Lion at South Hylton, where Billy was a regular, and so knew Billy very well. One night, in comes Billy with a couple of friends. George described one of Billy’s friends, as ‘’a scruffy looking bloke with messy hair, dressed in an old jumper’’. The other, George described, was a stunning blonde female, who looked as far out of place in the said pub, as you could ever imagine.

On reaching the bar, Billy asks George if he recognised who his mate was, to which George replied, that he had no idea. Now old George wasn’t familiar with the 70’s music scene, and failed to recognise that Billy’s mate, was none other than Rod Stewart. And the stunning blonde? Well, that was Rods girlfriend at the time, Britt Ekland. Rod and Britt in the Golden Lion at South Hylton, can you imagine! As I say, I have no reason to doubt the story, and it’s quite well known that a few of the 73 cup winning side were indeed on friendly terms with Mr Tory Boy Stewart.

RIP Billy, and thanks for all of the memories. ‘’HA HA HA HA HA HA’’
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Very true, old mate of mine was playing dominoes with him and Matty!
 
FunnyOwldGame said:
I’m a first time poster on here, but just felt the need to pay my own tribute to the great man.

In my 50 years as a fan, Billy Hughes was, and still is, one of the most exciting players that I’ve ever witnessed in a Sunderland shirt. He’s someone, who despite the years that have passed, and all of the players that I’ve seen come and go, will always command a place in my favourite Sunderland eleven.

In my opinion, if he’d chosen the same path as Dennis Tueart, been more ambitious and seeking to play at the highest level, he would have undoubtedly, have went on to have become a legend in the game, outside of Sunderland. He could have been up there, with other 70’s mavericks, the likes of Tony Currie, Rodney Marsh and Stan Bowles. Instead, Billy chose loyalty, and remained at Sunderland when he was at the height of his prowess.

Lightning fast, lethal with either foot, good in the air, cocky, and with a touch of arrogance thrown in, he had it all. Someone on here has posted the old MOTD footage of the legendary 1974 game at Old Trafford, if you never saw him play, this showcases Billy at his best. I can still see him now, receiving the ball on the wing, approaching the full back with the ball at a virtual walking pace, the defender backing off, and then in a turn of speed, Billy was off, leaving the defender in his wake.

Billy’s role in the 73 cup run is legendary, not only because of the vital goals he scored, but also his antics off the pitch, which proved pivotal to the success. Billy’s fun loving personality is well known, he was undoubtedly the Joker in the pack, and it is this, which is widely accredited by the other members of that squad, as being crucial to the cup win. From stories which came out after the final, it’s apparent, that it was Billy who kept everyone relaxed.

Those who were around at the time, will never forget the TV interview with both sets of players in their hotels on the morning of the game. I can still remember poor old Barry Davies (secret MLF) trying his best to conduct a sensible interview with the Sunderland players, but all you could hear in the background, was Billy’s ‘laughing box’, which he’d set off at just the right moment during the interviews. Cue mass laughing from the rest of the lads, and the interview turning into a farce. Cut to the Leeds hotel, and you could sense the fear and impending doom among their players. So basically, Sunderland already had one hand on the cup, without even leaving their hotel, all thanks to Billy’s cheap plastic laughing box contraption and his sense of fun.

The following story was told to me by an old workmate (George) many years ago. The story itself takes place in the mid-seventies, and knowing the type of person George was, I have no reason to doubt its authenticity. George had a part time job working behind the bar in the Golden Lion at South Hylton, where Billy was a regular, and so knew Billy very well. One night, in comes Billy with a couple of friends. George described one of Billy’s friends, as ‘’a scruffy looking bloke with messy hair, dressed in an old jumper’’. The other, George described, was a stunning blonde female, who looked as far out of place in the said pub, as you could ever imagine.

On reaching the bar, Billy asks George if he recognised who his mate was, to which George replied, that he had no idea. Now old George wasn’t familiar with the 70’s music scene, and failed to recognise that Billy’s mate, was none other than Rod Stewart. And the stunning blonde? Well, that was Rods girlfriend at the time, Britt Ekland. Rod and Britt in the Golden Lion at South Hylton, can you imagine! As I say, I have no reason to doubt the story, and it’s quite well known that a few of the 73 cup winning side were indeed on friendly terms with Mr Tory Boy Stewart.

RIP Billy, and thanks for all of the memories. ‘’HA HA HA HA HA HA’’
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Great first post, great memories, and a great tribute, to the most skilful Sunderland player, I've ever had the privilege to watch, in the flesh.

The respective interviews, on both Wembley bound, team coaches, couldn't have been more different.
The Leeds players were solemn and tense (they probably lost the will to live, after indulging in Revies team bonding sessions, by playing carpet bowls, in their hotel, the previous night) while in contrast, the Sunland players were chatty and totally relaxed, as their bus made it's way to Wembley.
Leeds were beaten, well before a ball was ever kicked, on that magical day.
 
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