Fairhurst Billy Image 1 Northampton Town 1932

Description

Blyth, Northumberland born left back Billy Fairhurst began his football career with local junior club Bebside Gordon and joined North Eastern League club Blyth Spartans in 1923, from where he was signed by Second Division club Middlesbrough in May 1925. However he didn’t make the Middlesbrough first eleven and signed for Third Division (North) club Southport in May 1928, for whom he made his Football League debut against Ashington that August.

A regular for Southport during the first half of the campaign, he lost his place immediately before New Year after 20 matches for The Sandgrounders, transferring to Nelson in July 1929. Nelson were struggling at the foot of the table and when, after 80 appearances for The Admirals, they lost their League status in May 1931, he stayed with them for a season in the Lancashire Combination before returning to Football League action, signing for Third Division (South) club Northampton Town in August 1932.

However he lost his place in The Cobblers’ first eleven that December and played just once more the following March before a return to the north-east, signing for Hartlepools United in August 1933 after 15 matches for Northampton.

He missed only one match in his first season with The Monkeyhangers, but lost his place in February 1935 after 64 matches for Hartlepools. He finally joined Tranmere Rovers in May 1935 but he didn’t make their first eleven, Tranmere being his last recorded club before his eventual retirement.

His younger brother David Fairhurst was a full England international who won the FA Cup with Newcastle United in 1932 and also played for Walsall. After his playing career he was trainer and physiotherapist with Birmingham City.