"Ashcroft for England!"

Lemmy_kilmister said:
Don't think it was ever a chant...but could it have been true????;);)

footballpink.net

Season 78/79: Former Middlesbrough and Wrexham striker reminisces

As part of his ongoing look back at the 1978-79 First Division campaign, STEVE MITCHELL caught up with former Wrexham,
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It's a good interview and I hope he is fully back to health now.

I did note that they didn't make any comment on the big photo at the top of the article, which is still my saddest moment as a Boro fan. Then it was the front cover on the programme for all of the next season
 
Big Billy. What I'd give for a head of hair like that now :D
Him and Stuart Boam in the side we were a right handfull at corners
 
yeah Juno why would they put that on the cover all season just to torment us fans the club must of really hated us! I Liked Billy but thought he was a better centre half that a centre forward think he played quite at bit a the back in the end if I remember correctly
 
He made his Boro debut away to WBA, Cyril Regis made his debut that same game, scored one of West Broms goals, sadly the late, great Willie Maddrens final Boro game, 3rd September 1977

Billy scored on his home debut the following week v Birmingham
 
When he did the walk round the pitch with the other players when we opened the Rover side he took time to stop and have a quick chat with me.

I was sporting the original red band shirt and he thought it was brill

I never mentioned the miss against Orient,
 
There was always a funny story going around the Holgate in 1980’ish shortly after Bosco joined. John Neal had them all in the changing room discussing tactics. He had a blackboard, and on it he drew a goal and a football. He said “kick ball in goal”.
Bosco turned to him and said “It’s fine Mr Neal, I can speak perfect English”.
“It’s not for you” said the Gaffer, “it’s for Billy Ashcroft” - Super guy though Billy, scored some memorable goals, one in particular I remember was against Arsenal at AP when he slalomed through the Gunners defence and planted the ball in the net. Great memories.
 
Was it Orient in The Cup where he came off the bench and scored the equaliser with seconds left?

The first time I'd heard of BA was when Wrexham were playing Anderlecht in a European tie. He gave the press a pre-match gift by refering to Anderlecht's Dutch stars as 'Rent a Sink' and 'Hairy Arm' *.

Edit *Robbie Rensenbrink, Arie Haan.
 
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Anton_Berg said:
Was it Orient in The Cup where he came off the bench and scored the equaliser with seconds left?

The first time I'd heard of BA was when Wrexham were playing Anderlecht in a European tie. He gave the press a pre-match gift by refering to Anderlecht's Dutch stars as 'Rent a Sink' and 'Hairy Arm' *.

Edit *Robbie Rensenbrink, Arie Haan.
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What a guy, you see him every week on Twitter wishing the Boro, Wrexham and I think Everton well. And he always wishes the fans a safe journey ✅
 
He is an amazing character - I remember interviewing him with Bob Fischer at the pub he had for a while in Southport. Ge told us about how he started doing magic tricks when he was in Netherlands and actually got on tv with a magic act. This was probably because he knew Tommy Cooper. No doubt Billy has a few very good Tommy Cooper stories, like when he had to drive him from Liverpool to London.
 
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