Billy Tunnicliffe
Encyclopedia
William Francis Tunnicliffe (5 January 1920–1997) was a professional footballer who played outside left
at A.F.C. Bournemouth
, Wrexham and Bradford City
.
in January 1937 and made his debut in a 2-1 home victory over Rotherham United
on 6 February 1937. After four further games he was given a free transfer to Bournemouth
in May 1938. He spent nine years at Dean Court, though six of these years were taken up by World War II
. Returning to The Old Recreation Ground
in October 1939, he scored ten goals in twenty games of the 1939–40 season, departing again in April 1940. He also guested for Chester
and Reading
before returning to Bournemouth.
In 1948 he joined Welsh
club Wrexham, where he made 236 appearances, scoring 74 goals in his six years at the club. In 1953 he signed for Bradford City
where he spent two-and-a-half seasons, scoring 20 goals in 89 league matches before leaving the Football League
to join Stafford Rangers
.
Outside forward
Outside forward is a position in association football which refers to a footballer who plays as an advanced forward on the right or left wing - as an outside right or outside left. Typically as part of a 2-3-5 formation or one of its variants...
at A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
, Wrexham and Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
.
Playing career
Tunnicliffe joined Port ValePort Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
in January 1937 and made his debut in a 2-1 home victory over Rotherham United
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
on 6 February 1937. After four further games he was given a free transfer to Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
in May 1938. He spent nine years at Dean Court, though six of these years were taken up by 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...
. Returning to The Old Recreation Ground
The Old Recreation Ground
The Old Recreation Ground was a football stadium, located in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent and home to Port Vale for almost 40 years. The Rec had been Vale's home between 1913 and 1950 and was the sixth ground the club used.-Structure and facilities:...
in October 1939, he scored ten goals in twenty games of the 1939–40 season, departing again in April 1940. He also guested for Chester
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
and Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
before returning to Bournemouth.
In 1948 he joined Welsh
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
club Wrexham, where he made 236 appearances, scoring 74 goals in his six years at the club. In 1953 he signed for Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
where he spent two-and-a-half seasons, scoring 20 goals in 89 league matches before leaving the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
to join Stafford Rangers
Stafford Rangers F.C.
Stafford Rangers Football Club is a semi-professional English football team from Stafford which plays in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.The team wear black and white stripes with black shorts...
.