Billy Pease

Billy Pease

Born in Leeds in 1898, Billy did not play football until he was in the Army during the Great War and after joining the doomed Leeds City in peacetime he was recommended to Northampton.

In six years at the County Ground he made a name for himself as a speedy winger with a ferocious shot and it was a surprise that he had to wait until 1926 before he got his chance with a ‘big’ club when Middlesbrough came calling.

Forming a good playing relationship with legendary goalscorer George Camsell at Ayresome Park he starred for seven seasons and picked up an England cap along the way.

When he lost a yard of pace he was allowed to move to Luton in the summer of 1933 for £500 when his experience proved vital in knowing how to unlock defences at Division Three level. Billy was virtually an ever present in 1933-34 until an injury sustained at Bristol Rovers effectively ended his career.

Kept on by the Town in 1934-35 he was unable to force his way back in the side and retired at the season’s end, returning to Middlesbrough where he became a publican and also working in the ICI factory.

Billy passed away in Redcar in 1955.