Southport FC tribute to Billy Bingham MBE who sadly passed away last week

In the near 131-year history of Southport Football Club, there is perhaps no person who has commanded greater acclaim and admiration than Billy Bingham.

Even now, more than half a century on from the achievements he orchestrated in a distinguished period as manager, his name is still a byword for a golden age and remarkable time when success on the pitch reached unimaginable heights.

Bingham, who passed away on Thursday night in a care home in the town aged 90, was a revered figure in British football for his exploits as a player and in the dugout, and that respect was as evident at Haig Avenue as anywhere else.

Bingham’s tenure at Southport may only have lasted two-and-a-half years but it is testament to the scale of his success that he left an indelible mark on the club. From guiding Southport to the last 16 of the FA Cup in his debut season, to securing the club’s first Football League promotion and overseeing one of the biggest-ever fixtures against Everton, it was a magical journey and Bingham was the architect.

Haig Avenue had been a very different place when Bingham, at the age of 33, responded to the club’s advert for a trainer-coach in the summer of 1965. Player-manager Willie Cunningham had been sacked after failing to win any of the final 17 games of the previous campaign, the club was beset by financial trouble and interest amongst supporters was declining. How times were about to change.

Although changes in the playing squad were gradual, Bingham quickly brought new methods and instilled a team spirit that set the foundation for instant success.

After an upturn in Fourth Division results, it was in the FA Cup that Bingham’s side initially came to prominence. A first round win over Halifax set in motion the club’s best cup run since 1931 but if that result appeared unremarkable, two matches against Stockport gave an indication of the excitement to come.

After a 3-3 draw in the original tie, debutant Les Barrett settled the replay amid a deluge at Edgeley Park and two games against Ipswich Town, of the Second Division, brought further drama. By now, Bingham’s title had changed to manager and despite being unable to capitalise on their dominance during a goalless draw in the home game, his team became only the second away side to win at Portman Road that campaign, overturning a 2-1 deficit thanks to a brace from Alan Spence and a thrilling winner from Colin Alty.

A crowd of almost 15,000 was present at Haig Avenue to witness the fourth round win over Cardiff City. Spence and Ron Smith struck in the first half to secure another famous victory for a side that was very much riding the crest of a wave, although the run was to come to an end at Hull City.

After a tenth-placed finish that campaign, Bingham would next lead Southport to success in the league. Bolstered by the close-season addition of Eric Redrobe, his side gave early notice of their credentials with five wins from their opening seven games.

With impressive home victories against Luton, Barrow and Tranmere, Bingham also turned Southport into a side known for their stubbornness on the road. Success would be achieved against a backdrop of disaster, the fire that destroyed the main stand at Haig Avenue after the win over Wrexham on Boxing Day 1966 could easily have derailed the campaign and more, but Southport’s home form remained superb, as evidenced by the 4-0 win over champions-elect Stockport.

With victories in the final two matches of the season against Tranmere and Southend to finish as runners-up, Bingham had masterminded Southport’s first promotion in 46 years as a League club, the points total of 59 also setting a new club record

Although a number of changes in the playing squad would follow, the manager ensured Southport were competitive as they took to their new surroundings in the Third Division.

After FA Cup wins against Lincoln and Runcorn, Bingham’s side then earned the tie everyone had wanted two years previously, the visit of his former club Everton in the third round providing an occasion to truly savour. This time, Haig Avenue was filled by a crowd of 18,795, although a late goal from Joe Royle proved to be the difference.

Little over two weeks after the Everton tie, however, Bingham would depart for Plymouth Argyle, bringing to an end an era that remains unequalled in Southport’s history.

Transforming the outlook on the pitch with tactical innovations and a new level of professionalism, Bingham also galvanised the club with his charisma and personality, completely altering the perception through his success and the publicity he was able to earn.

Born in Belfast on 5 August 1931, Bingham had enjoyed a playing career of great repute, starting out at Glentoran before a move to Sunderland. Continuing his shipbuilding apprenticeship on the Wearside shipyards, he made 227 appearances during eight seasons at Roker Park, scoring 47 goals from outside-right.

He spent three years at Luton before winning the 1963 First Division title with Everton, appearing in almost 100 league games, before his playing career ended with a broken leg sustained whilst at Port Vale.

Bingham also won 56 caps for Northern Ireland – a record at the time – scoring ten goals and appearing at the 1958 World Cup, but it is his achievements whilst twice managing his country that Bingham is best known.

After venturing into coaching with success at Southport, he briefly combined his role at Haig Avenue with that of Northern Ireland team manager. He was unable to save Plymouth from Second Division relegation, before spending time in charge of Linfield and the Greece national team.

In May 1973, Bingham was appointed as Everton manager, the highest finish during his four seasons in charge being fourth place, also leading them to a League Cup final and an FA Cup semi-final.

After returning to Greece with PAOK before taking charge of Mansfield, he was appointed Northern Ireland manager for a second time in March 1980. He led them to the 1982 World Cup in Spain, claiming perhaps the most famous result in his country’s history with victory over the host nation to qualify from the group stage.

Proving this was no fluke, Bingham also took Northern Ireland to the next World Cup in Mexico and remained in charge until November 1993. He later occupied roles on the staff at Blackpool and Burnley.

Bingham was awarded an MBE for services to football in 1981 and continued to live in Southport until his death earlier this week.

More than 50 years have passed since Bingham wrote the script for the most remarkable chapter in the history of Southport FC. The popularity of the events held in recent years to celebrate the anniversary of those achievements is testament to the authenticity of a truly great legacy.

In the mid-1960s, Bingham took Southport on a journey that will never be forgotten. For that, he will continue to be regarded with an esteem that is likely to remain unmatched.

 

Written by Alan Jones, with thanks to The Sandgrounders: The Complete League History of Southport FC, by Geoff Wilde & Michael Braham

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