Billy Leech
William "Billy" Leech (15 July 1875 – 24 November 1934) was an English footballer who played for Burslem Port Vale, Leicester Fosse, Plymouth Argyle, Stoke and Tottenham Hotspur. He made over 300 competitive appearances in a career lasting over 11 years. A left-half, his greatest achievement was to help Leicester to win promotion out of the Second Division in 1906–07.
Playing career
Leech played for local sides Newcastle White Star and Newcastle Swifts before joining London side Tottenham Hotspur. He left "Spurs" in June 1899 to join Burslem Port Vale back in his native Staffordshire. He made his Vale debut in a 2–0 loss to Leicester Fosse at Filbert Street on 30 September, and became a regular first team player from the following month. He made 26 Second Division and four FA Cup appearances in the 1899–1900 campaign, scoring once in a 4–0 win over Chesterfield at Saltergate (Howard Harvey claimed the other three).
After one season at Burslem Port Vale, Leech joined local rivals Stoke in the First Division, and he took over the centre half position from the injured Edward Parsons. He played in 36 matches for the "Potters" in 1900–01, scoring twice against Derby County and West Bromwich Albion. His run in the first team was ended in February 1902 after breaking his leg against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup, and he was allowed to leave the club.
Podcasts:
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by Paul Weller
BULL-RUSH
by: Paul WellerIn a momentary lapse of my condition
Sent me tumbling down into a deep despair
Lost and dazed so I had no real recollection
Until the rain cleared the air
When you wake to find that everything has left you
And the clothes you wear belong to someone else
See your shadow chasing off towards the shore line
Drifting into emptiness
There are bull-rushes outside my window
And their leaves whisper words in the breeze
Well, tomorrow I'll walk to the harbor
Catch the first boat that's coming in
I'll catch the first boat that's coming in
Like a child too small to reach the front door handle
Maybe just too scared to know what I would find
Now I feel I'm strong enough to take the slow ride
Not knowing when I will arrive
Hey, there are bull-rushes outside my window
And their leaves whisper words in the breeze
And tomorrow I'll walk to the harbor
Catch the first boat that's coming in
I'll catch the first boat that's coming in
I do believe I'm going home
'Cause I don't call this place my own
I'm missing what I had, happy times and sad
More than I ever thought could be
Not knowing when I will arrive
Hey, there are bull-rushes outside my window
And their leaves whisper words in the breeze
Well, tomorrow I'll walk to the harbor
Catch the first boat that's coming in
I'll catch the first boat that's coming in
I'll catch the first boat that's coming in
First boat that's coming in, first boat that's coming in