Pease Billy Image 4 Middlesbrough 1927

Description

Leeds born outside right Billy Pease was on the books of Leeds City immediately after the First World War, during which he had served with the Northumberland Fusiliers, joining them as an amateur during 1918-19. When they were disbanded in October 1919, by when Pease had yet to appear for their first eleven. He joined Northampton Town, and when they joined The Football League the following season he made his League debut in their inaugural League fixture at Grimsby Town in August 1920, and in six seasons at The County Ground he missed only 6 games, being an ever present in three of those seasons.

He was signed by Second Division Middlesbrough for £2,000 in May 1926 after 49 goals in 265 appearances and in his first season at Ayresome Park he scored 25 goals as ‘Boro won the Second Division Championship. In February 1927 he was called up for England and won his only England cap when he played in a 3-3 draw against Wales at The Racecourse Ground, Wrexham. He also later went on the FA Tour to South Africa in 1929.

Despite Middlesbrough’s relegation in 1928 he was again a mainstay in their team that again won the Second Division Championship in 1929, scoring a career best 29 goals during the season including 4 goals against Wolves and a hat-trick against Notts County. He remained in the Middlesbrough team until the end of 1931-32 but played only 10 more games the following season, and having scored 103 goals in 239 appearances he joined Luton Town in June 1933. He played his last senior game for Luton in September 1934, retiring in January 1935 after having scored 9 goals in 35 appearances for The Hatters.