Billy Whitehurst

William Whitehurst (born 10 June 1959 ) is an English retired professional footballer active during the 1980s and 1990s. Whitehurst's aggressive, intimidating, violent style of play attracted much notoriety in his journeyman career.

Career Whitehurst was born in Thurnscoe, West Riding of Yorkshire and started his career playing for a number of semi-professional teams in South Yorkshire, Retford Town, Bridlington Trinity and Mexborough Town, whilst also working for the local council as a bricklayer. Whitehurst ended his professional career at Doncaster Rovers during which time he also played on loan for Crewe Alexandra.

Whitehurst ended his playing days abroad, playing in Northern Ireland, Australia and in Hong Kong with South China (1992–93) before a long-standing knee injury caused his retirement in 1993.

Personal life and post-retirement He supported Manchester United as a child and George Best was his favourite player. Whitehurst told Shoot magazine in the 1980s that Keith Mincher and Chris Chilton had the greatest influences on his career and said that Mincher made him believe in himself while Chilton had taught him positions to take up in the box. Whitehurst cited Spitting Image and Taxi as his favourite shows and Bruce Springsteen and Nat King Cole as his favourite musicians.

In the 1980s Whitehurst was married with two children.

Career statistics

Honours Hull City Football League Fourth Division runner-up: 1982–83 Football League Third Division third-place promotion: 1984–85

Sheffield United Football League Second Division runner-up: 1989–90