Bill Eckersley

William " Bill" Eckersley (* July 16, 1926 in Southport, † October 25, 1982 in Blackburn) was an English footballer. The left-back played his entire professional club career at Blackburn Rovers and in 1950 was part of the England squad for the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Career

Eckersley was born in the northwestern English coastal town of Southport and worked after leaving school as a truck driver. In parallel, he played amateur football for a small club with the name of High Park, where it was discovered in November 1947 by a talent scout of Blackburn Rovers. He first went on its driver activity and came in the reserve team of Rovers used. But there was one left-back than good enough for higher tasks and paid the newbie in March 1948 with a professional contract from. On 1 May 1948 he made ​​his debut on the final day of the season 1947/48 in the top English league, which ended with a 1:4 defeat to Manchester United and the descent into the Second Division - the latter fate had already been determined before.

Ten years now denied the Blackburn Rovers in England's second league, which does not alter the fact changed that Eckersley was regarded as one of the best English defenders and although he had previously completed no international game, he was in 1950 in the squad for the World Cup appointed to Brazil. On 2 July 1950, he made ​​his debut there against Spain when England needed a win to progress after the surprising defeat against the United States. Although the game ended with a 0-1 defeat and early exit in the first round, but Eckersley made ​​henceforth with Alf Ramsey a " Defender Couple" which is equal to 15 times stood together 1950-1953 on the court. An abrupt end was the 3:6 home defeat against Hungary on 25 November 1953 which was perceived as a disgrace in England and the consequence was that Eckersley, Ramsey and never played Stan Mortensen again for the " Three Lions " for both.

In association Eckersley was a steady figure of identification of the followers in the 1950s. As a " right-footed " on the left side of defense, he was equally strong in the tackle, fitted quickly and with a high game intelligence, so that he on the defensive the rest kept and intervened when opportunity on the offensive. With the exception of a semi-final in the FA Cup in 1952, the success of which were rare regardless. It was only returned in 1958, the Rovers over the second division runner-up in the First Division back, after which Eckersleys but deteriorated sporting perspective. The injury problems increased significantly and after 29 encounters at the beginning of the season 1958/59 he was only sporadically for the course. In the FA Cup final of 1960 Eckersley remained on the sidelines; Instead, Dave Whelan has held its former position.

After his career end his club and 21,000 spectators saw him off on 24 April 1961, a charity match ( " Testimonial Match" ). In his " civic life " Eckersley had little luck from now on. Trying to earn a candy store money, failed, and after some time as a taxi driver, he returned to his original profession as a truck driver back.

At the age of only 56 years, Eckersley died in Blackburn. At his request, the following is scattered, the two sons Billy and Stephen, his ashes on the field of Ewood Park, the home of Blackburn Rovers.