Burgess Billy Image 1 Chester 1930

Description

Southport, Lancashire born left half Billy “Butcher” Burgess began his football career on the books of hometown League club Southport in 1927-28 without making their first eleven during two seasons at Haig Avenue before playing for Burscough Rangers in 1929, joining Cheshire County League club Chester in 1930. Burgess was signed by Tottenham Hotspur in July 1931 but again failed to make the breakthrough into League football, spending 1931-32 at White Hart Lane before returning to north west non league football with Colwyn Bay United in August 1932 before joining Birmingham & District League club Kidderminster Harriers in early 1933.

Burgess got his break in League football after joining Third Division (South) club Newport County in August 1933 making his Football League debut against Swindon Town the same month, and he was a regular for The Exiles for three seasons, scoring 20 goals in 110 appearances  as Newport struggled towards the bottom of the division. In August 1936 he transferred to Barrow and he was a near ever present in their 1936-37 campaign, scoring 3 goals in 43 appearances for The Bluebirds, but after a season at Houlker Street he returned to non league football with Rhyl and this was his last club before his retirement, probably expedited by the outbreak of the Second World War. During the War Burgess served in the Royal Air Force.