Brian Jeeves and David Selby recall the Clarets career of Scottish goal machine, Billy Kellock.
Glasgow-born Billy Kellock linked up with the Chelmsford from Millwall in October 1974 after impressing Clarets boss, Sid Prosser. Kellock played 76 games and scored 41 goals in a career that lasted until January 1976 when he was released and signed for Kettering Town.
Prior to the Lions, the midfielder had spells with both Cardiff City and Norwich City. His arrival at New Writtle Street was believed to signal the end of his professional career in the game.
Kellock played under two other managers at Chelmsford. Bill Leivers, the man who took Cambridge United from non-league into the Football League and vowed to do the same with City, whilst his spell under Bobby Kellard lasted just 4 games as the manager was tasked with making big reductions in the playing budget.
It was unfortunate that Kellock played for the Club as they gradually slipped from the higher echelons of the Southern League, they were eventually relegated a year after Kellock had left. But his goalscoring prowess has nonetheless left him well remembered by City supporters of the time.
Notably, In October 1975 he scored four of City’s goals in their 6-1 Southern League Cup win against Banbury United, he also missed a penalty! Meanwhile, he grabbed a hat-trick in a 4-1 Essex Professional Cup semi-final win against Southend United. City went on to beat Colchester United by two goals to nil in the final although Kellock didn’t score.
He was just shy of his 22nd birthday when he left City and his career was reborn after his spell in non-league football. He went on to play over 200 Football league games after leaving Kettering with Peterborough United, Luton Town, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Southend United, Port Vale and Halifax Town, adding to the 50 or so that he had already played when he signed for City.
Featured is a picture card featuring Billy Kellock during his brief spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
You can discover more about the history of Chelmsford City Football Club in the excellent magazine ‘The Chelmsford City Historian’ by David Selby (£2:50) Follow David on Twitter: @SelbyDavid
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