Members News: A Good ‘Ambiance’ When Billy Met Bill In Benidorm!
As we have shown in postings on this website many times over the years our member CCFC’s legendary goalkeeper if the 60s and 70s Bill Glazier and CCFPA’s Billy Bell have developed a great friendship over the years. Bill tries to get over to see us as often as he can from his home (a bar!) near Benidorm to where he retired after a brilliant footballing career. Not surprisingly, most years Billy (and often a group of Sky Blue supporting mates from Brico FC) try to get over to visit Bill and his wife during each summer.
June 2024 was no different and following his strenuous exertions for CCFPA at our Golf Day 2024 (which regular readers will have seen chronicled in recent postings on this website) the Associations Irish vice chairman popped over to Spain to visit Bill and Karen. Also saying hello was Brian Teggin director of one of CCFPA’s Corporate Members Ambiance Vinyl Floorings. Brian presented Bill with a CCFPA golfing cap for his collection (left).
‘Our Bill’ Glazier Testimonial
If you need reminding Bill began his footballing career as a youth on the south coast with Brighton & Hove Albion and Torquay United before starting his professional career in South London in 1960 at Crystal Palace (actually then known as the ‘Glaziers’) eventually playing over a hundred games for the South London side.
Though initially he came to the City playing in Division Two, Bill was quickly reckoned to be the best uncapped keepers in the country and might have been recognised by his country but for a broken leg at a crucial time (though he did gain Under 23 recognition for England). In over ten years playing for City Bill amassed over 400 appearances for the Sky Blues in all competitions (and mostly in the top division) before moving on to Brentford in 1975.
Sky Blue Bill Glazier
In 1974 the Club awarded Bill a testimonial and over 15,000 turned up at Highfield Road to see a Sky Blue XI take on a 1966 England World Cup winners XI packed full of international stars (sadly many of whom have since passed away including, for example, brothers Bobby and Jackie Charlton).
After a short spell in the USA, with the St Louis Stars, Bill hung up his boots in close season 1976 and ran catering businesses and hotels in the West Country, South Coast and in Spain before he ‘retired’. Coming up for his 81st birthday in August Bill still keeps fit playing, for example, Padel Ball in Benidorm. Our former ‘keeper hopes to be back in the UK in July and perhaps will be able to make one of the Sky Blues’ pre-season friendlies. We look forward to it!
