Billington Hugh Image 3 Chelsea 1948

Description

Born in Ampthill but raised in Luton, centre forward Hugh Billington was signed by Second Division Luton Town from local side Waterlow’s, for whom he had scored 80 goals during 1937-38. He started the 1938-39 in Luton’s reserves, but after 14 goals in 15 games he was given his chance in the first team. On 5th November 1938, Hugh Billington made his Football League debut for Luton at Tranmere Rovers, and Billington scored twice as Luton won 3-2. He finished that season with 28 League goals from 27 Division Two matches, which made him the Division’s top scorer for the season, including 4 goals in a 5-0 win over Chesterfield in December 1938, 4 goals in a 6-3 win over Swansea Town in February 1939 and hat-tricks in home and away wins over Southampton.

The outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939 interrupted his career, and with peacetime football resumed he again scored regularly for Luton after the War, his 28 goals in their 1946-47 campaign included 5 goals in a 6-0 FA Cup win against Notts County and a hat-trick against Newport County. The following season saw trebles against Brentford, all 6 goals in their home and away fixtures, before he was transferred to First Division Chelsea for £8,000 in March 1948 after 75 goals in 97 appearances for The Hatters, where he remained their top goalscorer during all three of his seasons either side of the War.

His most successful season at Stamford Bridge was 1949-50, when he scored 21 goals and played in their 1950 FA Cup semi final against eventual winners Arsenal at White Hart Lane, although not in the replay. After three years with Chelsea, where he scored 32 goals in 89 appearances, he spent a season with Southern League club Worcester City in 1951-52 before retiring.