Mordue Billy Image 1 Hartlepools United 1922

Description

Horden, County Durham born winger Billy Mordue began his football career with Horden St Mary’s in 1919, and played for Horden Athletic in 1920 before joining First Division Middlesbrough, spending 1921-22 on their books without making a first team appearance. He joined Third Division (North) Hartlepools United in the summer of 1922, making his Football League debut against Wrexham that November, but he found opportunities limited at Victoria Park and after scoring twice in 8 appearances he returned to non league football, re-joining Horden Athletic in 1923.

After three seasons he returned to The Football League by joining Blackpool in 1926, but again failed to make a breakthrough into their first team in 1926-27, returning to Hartlepools United. He enjoyed considerable success in 1927-28, scoring 16 goals in 40 matches for The Monkey Hangers, second top scoring for the club, only behind Billy Robertson. However from December the following season Mordue took up a role in the half back line. By now he was one of three Mordues in the team (although it’s uncertain whether Jack and Tom were his first cousins or brothers), all three being regular performers.

Billy enjoyed a further season of regular action for Hartlepools before joining non league Crook Town in 1930 after 82 appearances in total for Hartlepools. He then played for Horden Colliery Welfare from 1931 and Easington Colliery Welfare in 1935 before his eventual retirement.

There were various Mordue family members who played sport to a very high level, including football and handball. Most famous is England international Jackie Mordue (who appears to have been Billy’s cousin), who played for Barnsley, Arsenal, Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Durham City (where he was player manager), winning two caps for England while a Sunderland player. Besides the Hartlepool Mordues, George Mordue played for Aldershot and Bradford City in the 1930’s, Jimmy Mordue played for Bradford Park Avenue in the 1940’s and another Billy Mordue played for Doncaster Rovers in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s.