Scottish footballer (1954–2024)
William Kellock (7 February 1954 – 20 March 2024) was a Scottish footballer who scored 77 goals in 298 league games in an 11-year career in the Football League in the 1970s and 1980s.[4] He played for Aston Villa , Cardiff City , Norwich City , Millwall , Chelmsford City , Kettering Town , Peterborough United , Luton Town , Wolverhampton Wanderers , Southend United , Port Vale , and Halifax Town . He was twice named to the PFA Team of the Year and was promoted out of the Second Division with Wolves in 1982–83.
Career
Kellock was a youth team player at Aston Villa , though went on to play for Cardiff City in the 1971 FA Youth Cup final defeat to Arsenal .[5] He broke into the first-team during the 1971–72 and 1972–73 seasons, helping Jimmy Scoular 's "Bluebirds" to 19th and 20th-place finishes in the Second Division . He turned professional in February 1972.[6] He played in the 1973 final of the Welsh Cup as Cardiff defeated Bangor City 5–1 on aggregate, though he only played in the 1–0 away defeat at Farrar Road .[7] He scored two goals in 35 league games at Ninian Park . He then played three First Division games for Norwich City in 1973–74 as John Bond 's "Canaries" suffered relegation . He left Carrow Road to sign with Millwall . However, "Lions" manager Gordon Jago never handed Kellock his league debut, who left The Den and dropped out of the Football League and joined Chelmsford City in October 1974.[8] In October 1975, he scored four goals in a 6–1 Southern League Cup win over Banbury United despite missing a penalty kick .[8] He also scored a hat-trick in the semi-finals of the Essex Professional Cup, though he was not selected for the final.[8] He scored 41 goals in 76 games for Chelmsford before being released in January 1976. At that point, he signed with Kettering Town .[8] Manager Derek Dougan led the "Poppies" to third in the Southern League 1976–77 , and then new boss Mick Jones led the club to sixth place in 1977–78 . He helped them to reach the 1979 FA Trophy final , where they were beaten 2–0 by Stafford Rangers .[9]
Kellock impressed at Rockingham Road and returned to the Football League with Peterborough United after he was signed for a nominal fee in August 1979.[10] [11] Peter Morris 's "Posh" finished eighth in the Fourth Division in 1979–80 , before posting a fifth-place finish in 1980–81 – they ended the campaign just one place and three points behind promoted Wimbledon . By this stage Kellock had been appointed as club captain .[10] They finished fifth again in 1981–82 , six points behind fourth placed Bournemouth . In both 1980–81 and 1981–82, Kellock was named on the PFA Team of the Year .[12] [13] He scored 43 goals in 134 league games at London Road . He left the club for a £30,000 fee after being vocal in criticism of what he perceived as the club's lack of ambition.[10] He played seven league games for David Pleat 's Luton Town , but quickly left Kenilworth Road to play for Graham Hawkins 's Wolverhampton Wanderers in March 1983.[14] Wolves were promoted out of the Second Division in second place in 1982–83 .[10]
Kellock was re-signed by Peter Morris, now manager at Southend United , who were relegated out of the Third Division in 1983–84 . Kellock scored eight goals in 53 league games at Roots Hall . He joined John Rudge 's Port Vale in December 1984.[1] He had a "stunning impact" on his debut; scoring two goals in a 5–1 win over Exeter City at Vale Park on New Year's Day.[1] [15] He was a regular in the side, scoring four goals in 11 Fourth Division games in 1984–85 , before he strained a hamstring in March.[1] After refusing new terms, in June 1985, he signed for Halifax Town , who were managed his former boss Mick Jones.[1] He went on to score 17 goals in 43 Fourth Division appearances for the "Shaymen" in 1985–86 , finishing as the club's top-scorer.[6] This tally included a hat-trick against Wrexham at The Shay on 14 March.[6] He left the club and returned to Kettering Town in 1987.[10]
Style of play
Kellock was an all-round midfielder with excellent long-range shooting ability who was aggressive in the tackle.[10] [16]
Post-retirement
After leaving the game, Kellock was head of sales and marketing at a Country club near Oakham .[17] He later worked as a painter and decorator.[9] He was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer and a GoFundMe page was set up to support him.[9]
Kellock's death was announced on 20 March 2024. He was 70.[10]
Career statistics
Honours
Individual
Cardiff City
Kettering Town
Wolverhampton Wanderers
References
^ a b c d e f g Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities . Witan Books. p. 160. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0 .
^ "Rest in Peace Billy Kellock" . www.lutontown.co.uk . 21 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024 .
^ Dunk, Peter (1987). Rothmans football yearbook 1987–88 . London: Queen Anne Press. p. 182. ISBN 978-0356143545 . Retrieved 14 April 2020 .
^ Billy Kellock at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Transfer Database
^ a b Hayes, Dean (2006). The Who's Who of Cardiff City . Breedon Books. ISBN 1-85983-462-0 .
^ a b c d "Kellock, Billy" . Wolverhampton Wanderers . Retrieved 20 March 2024 .
^ "WELSH CUP FINAL 1972/73" . welshsoccerarchive.co.uk . Retrieved 20 March 2024 .
^ a b c d "#THROWBACKTHURSDAY: A SERIES OF CLARETS PLAYERS, PICTURES, PROGRAMMES AND COLLECTABLES" . Chelmsford City F.C . 2 March 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2024 .
^ a b c d Dunham, Jon (30 July 2022). "GoFundMe page launched to support Poppies and Posh legend Kellock" . Northamptonshire Telegraph . Retrieved 20 March 2024 .
^ a b c d e f g h Swann, Alan (20 March 2024). "RIP Billy Kellock, one of the great Peterborough United midfielders" . Peterborough Telegraph . Retrieved 20 March 2024 .
^ Swann, Peter (25 June 2023). "The best Peterborough United free transfer signings of all time includes promotion-winners and a future top-flight stars" . Peterborough Telegraph . Retrieved 20 March 2024 .
^ a b Lynch. The Official P.F.A. Footballers Heroes . p. 143.
^ a b Lynch. The Official P.F.A. Footballers Heroes . p. 144.
^ Wash, Roger (21 March 2024). "Rest in Peace Billy Kellock" . www.lutontown.co.uk . Retrieved 21 March 2024 .
^ "Match 261st January 1985Port Vale (a)" . Published: Wednesday 02 January 1985 Newspaper: Staffordshire Sentinel . Retrieved 20 March 2024 .
^ "Player profile" . theposhtrust.co.uk . Retrieved 20 March 2024 .
^ Fissler, Neil. "Port Vale – K" . where-are-they-now.co.uk . Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 1 November 2011 .
^ Billy Kellock at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)