Bill Rochford
Encyclopedia
William "Bill" Rochford was a member of the Portsmouth
team that won the 1939 FA Cup
. He played over 100 matches for Portsmouth and for their south coast rivals, Southampton
.
, County Durham
into a mining family, and as a youth he played for the Esh Winning
junior XI. His family subsequently moved to Cuckfield
, West Sussex
from where he joined Portsmouth
in July 1931.
in the Rowland Hospital Cup at The Dell
in April 1932. At first, playing at right-back, he made only the occasional first team start for Pompey, who finished regularly in mid-table in the Football League First Division, but by 1934-35
he had become a regular choice and in 1936 he represented the English League. In 1937 he switched to left-back and stayed there, being an ever-present in 1937-38
.
His greatest moment for Portsmouth came in the FA Cup, when Pompey, who were struggling in the relegation zone, swept aside high-flying Wolves
in the 1939 FA Cup Final
running in 4-1 victors. As a result of the suspension of the FA Cup for the duration of World War II
, the next FA Cup final was not until 7 years later in 1946
, thereby enabling Portsmouth fans to claim that their team has held the Cup for the longest time.
Rochford continued to play for Portsmouth during the war, making over 200 appearances in war-time matches.
in July 1946 for a fee of £550 in readiness for the first post-war league season. Rochford soon became automatic choice as team captain, and, according to Holley & Chalk's "In That Number" he "was a father figure to many of the younger and less experienced players", including Alf Ramsey
and Bill Ellerington
, who were vying for the right-back position.
Over the next few seasons he rarely missed a game as Saints narrowly missed out on promotion from Division 2. In August 1949, he applied for the position as manager following the departure of Bill Dodgin
to Fulham
. Although Rochford was strongly tipped for the job, being the players' choice, his application was turned down in favour of Sid Cann
. Although appointed player-coach under Cann, Rochford was disappointed and after missing out on promotion yet again at the end of the 1949-50 season
, he left the club in July 1950 to join Colchester United
.
, but continued to serve Southampton F.C. by acting as their scout in the area.
He died at Bishop Auckland
in March 1984.
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
team that won the 1939 FA Cup
1939 FA Cup Final
The 1939 FA Cup Final was contested by Portsmouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Wembley. Portsmouth won 4–1, with goals from Bert Barlow, John Anderson and two by Cliff Parker...
. He played over 100 matches for Portsmouth and for their south coast rivals, Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
.
Playing career
Rochford was born at New HouseNew House
New House, or "Newhouse" is a hamlet in County Durham, in England. It is situated on the north side of the River Wear, opposite Ireshopeburn and is linked to the main Weardale valley road by Coronation Bridge....
, County Durham
County Durham
County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
into a mining family, and as a youth he played for the Esh Winning
Esh Winning F.C.
Esh Winning F.C. are a football club based in Esh Winning, near Durham, in County Durham, England. They joined the Northern League Division Two in 1982...
junior XI. His family subsequently moved to Cuckfield
Cuckfield
Cuckfield is a large village and civil parish in the Mid Sussex District of West Sussex, England, on the southern slopes of the Weald. It lies south of London, north of Brighton, and east northeast of the county town of Chichester. Nearby towns include Haywards Heath to the southeast and Burgess...
, West Sussex
West Sussex
West Sussex is a county in the south of England, bordering onto East Sussex , Hampshire and Surrey. The county of Sussex has been divided into East and West since the 12th century, and obtained separate county councils in 1888, but it remained a single ceremonial county until 1974 and the coming...
from where he joined Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
in July 1931.
Portsmouth
Rochford (known as "Rockie" throughout his career) made his debut for Portsmouth against SouthamptonSouthampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
in the Rowland Hospital Cup at The Dell
The Dell (Southampton F.C.)
The Dell in Milton Road, Southampton, England was the home ground of Southampton Football Club, between 1898 and 2001.-New stadium:Since 1896, Southampton had been tenants of Hampshire County Cricket Club at the County Ground, having vacated the Antelope Ground in the summer of 1896...
in April 1932. At first, playing at right-back, he made only the occasional first team start for Pompey, who finished regularly in mid-table in the Football League First Division, but by 1934-35
1934-35 in English football
The 1934–35 season was the 60th season of competitive football in England.-Events:Arsenal become only the second team to win the League three consecutive times.-Honours:Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour...
he had become a regular choice and in 1936 he represented the English League. In 1937 he switched to left-back and stayed there, being an ever-present in 1937-38
1937-38 in English football
The 1937–38 season was the 63rd season of competitive football in England.-Overview:This season is notable as the reigning champions Manchester City became the only team to have won the League title one season then been relegated the next.-Honours:...
.
His greatest moment for Portsmouth came in the FA Cup, when Pompey, who were struggling in the relegation zone, swept aside high-flying Wolves
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
in the 1939 FA Cup Final
1939 FA Cup Final
The 1939 FA Cup Final was contested by Portsmouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Wembley. Portsmouth won 4–1, with goals from Bert Barlow, John Anderson and two by Cliff Parker...
running in 4-1 victors. As a result of the suspension of the FA Cup for the duration of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the next FA Cup final was not until 7 years later in 1946
1946 FA Cup Final
The 1946 FA Cup Final, the first since the start of the Second World War, was contested by Derby County and Charlton Athletic at Wembley. Derby won 4–1 after extra time, with goals from Bert Turner , Peter Doherty and a double from Jackie Stamps.-Match summary:The game was goalless until the...
, thereby enabling Portsmouth fans to claim that their team has held the Cup for the longest time.
Rochford continued to play for Portsmouth during the war, making over 200 appearances in war-time matches.
Southampton
After the cessation of hostilities, he joined SouthamptonSouthampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
in July 1946 for a fee of £550 in readiness for the first post-war league season. Rochford soon became automatic choice as team captain, and, according to Holley & Chalk's "In That Number" he "was a father figure to many of the younger and less experienced players", including Alf Ramsey
Alf Ramsey
Sir Alfred Ernest "Alf" Ramsey was an English footballer and manager of the English national football team from 1963 to 1974. His greatest achievement was winning the 1966 World Cup with England on 30 July 1966...
and Bill Ellerington
Bill Ellerington
William "Bill" Ellerington is a former footballer who was capped twice for the full England national team and once for England B, and spent his entire professional club career at Southampton F.C....
, who were vying for the right-back position.
Over the next few seasons he rarely missed a game as Saints narrowly missed out on promotion from Division 2. In August 1949, he applied for the position as manager following the departure of Bill Dodgin
Bill Dodgin, Sr.
William "Bill" Dodgin was an English football player.Born in Gateshead, Dodgin played for Huddersfield Town, Lincoln City, Charlton Athletic, Bristol Rovers, Clapton Orient and Southampton, although his career was curtailed by the Second World War.After retiring as a player, he became coach and...
to Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
. Although Rochford was strongly tipped for the job, being the players' choice, his application was turned down in favour of Sid Cann
Sid Cann
Sydney Thomas Cann was an English professional football defender and football manager. He was capped twice by England at Schools level.-Playing career:...
. Although appointed player-coach under Cann, Rochford was disappointed and after missing out on promotion yet again at the end of the 1949-50 season
1949-50 in English football
The 1949–50 season was the 70th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Portsmouth retained the First Division title by one of the narrowest margins in history ahead of Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C....
, he left the club in July 1950 to join Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
.
Colchester
Colchester were about to embark on their first season in the Football League, but Rochford was only able to make two league appearances before retiring.After football
Following his retirement, Rochford returned to his native north-east to become a farmer near GatesheadGateshead
Gateshead is a town in Tyne and Wear, England and is the main settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead. Historically a part of County Durham, it lies on the southern bank of the River Tyne opposite Newcastle upon Tyne and together they form the urban core of Tyneside...
, but continued to serve Southampton F.C. by acting as their scout in the area.
He died at Bishop Auckland
Bishop Auckland
Bishop Auckland is a market town and civil parish in County Durham in north east England. It is located about northwest of Darlington and southwest of Durham at the confluence of the River Wear with its tributary the River Gaunless...
in March 1984.