TRIBUTES have been paid to a Bradford-born former footballer who has died aged 74.

Billy Legg played for, and managed, clubs across West Yorkshire during a long and illustrious football career.

The left-back lined up for Bradford (Park Avenue) and played 60 times for Huddersfield Town in the 1960s, scoring four goals.

Legg played in the same Town side as the former England international forward Frank Worthington. Legg even signed the flamboyant flair player when he later managed Guiseley in a two-year spell between 1989 and 1991. Worthington made 20 appearances for Guiseley in 1990, scoring seven goals.

 

Legg had a successful spell in charge of the Lions, guiding them to the FA Vase semi-finals during the 1989–90 season. It was the first time Guiseley reached this stage of the non-league cup competition. However, Guiseley failed to make it to the showpiece, losing 4-0 on aggregate to Bridlington Town.

Guiseley took to social media to tweet their own tribute to their former boss, alongside a picture of him taken during his coaching career.

Guiseley tweeted: “We are saddened to hear of the passing of our former manager Billy Legg.

“Billy managed The Lions between 1989-91 and signed Frank Worthington who helped us reach the FA Vase semi-finals.

“Our thoughts are with Billy's family and friends at this sad time.”

 

Huddersfield Town tweeted: “We are saddened to hear that William 'Billy' Legg has passed away.

“Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this time. Billy played 60 times for Town between 1965-1969.

“Once a Terrier, always a Terrier.”

A Huddersfield Town supporter also tweeted his tribute to Legg, looking back at his spell at the Terriers.

Lee Morris wrote: “Former Huddersfield Town player Billy Legg in 1971 following an operation at St. Luke's Hospital, Bradford."

Mr Morris said Legg had worked hard to get his football career back on track, following a bad car accident in 1969, and remained on Town's books until 1972.

“Billy sadly passed away today,” he added.

 

Legg was also part of the youth coaching set-up at Skybet Championship sides Preston North End and Hull City during the 1990s.

He hit the headlines of the Keighley News in January 2010 when firefighters helped rescue a swan which had become entangled in a TV aerial at his home.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Billy Legg outside his home, where a swan was trapped in his television aerial in Riddlesden in January 2010Billy Legg outside his home, where a swan was trapped in his television aerial in Riddlesden in January 2010

A crew from Keighley Fire Station assisted the RSPCA to free the bird and bring it to safety — with the aid of a net — from the roof of Legg’s house, at Bradford Road, Riddlesden.

But the swan’s right wing was later found to be broken and the bird had to be put down.

 

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