Brindley, Bill (1947 – 2007)
ALTHOUGH christened John Brindley, the Nottingham-born footballer was always known as ‘Bill’.
A former England Schoolboy and Youth International, he began his career at Nottingham Forest in 1964.
Three years later he made headlines by scoring only 10 seconds after coming on as substitute in a match against Southampton.
Bill then made over 250 appearances for Notts County, twice being part of promotion winning sides, before joining Gillingham in 1976, finally finishing with three goals to his name in a career that had taken in 288 senior fixtures.
He signed for Grantham in time for the September 1977, but his first period at London Road lasted just into the New Year and after the match against Dartford, Bill moved on to Burton Albion and then Alfreton Town.
The arrival of his former team-mate, Jon Nixon, as Player/Manager at Grantham in the Summer of 1981, saw Bill’s return to the club and his reinstatement to Grantham’s defence for the County Cup tie at home to Boston United.
His first goal for The Gingerbreads came at the end of that month in the Northern Premier League fixture at Netherfield and he then played in the majority of that season’s games.
His final goal for the club came coincidentally again at Netherfield, in April 1983, with his final appearance in the following closing fixture of the season at Matlock Town.
Moving into management, Bill took over at Meadows Albion, then Boston FC, taking them to League Championship success, followed by periods at the helm of Heanor Town, Ilkeston Town and Arnold Town, where he has remained for the last few years.
Since the end of his playing career Bill has also spent time working for Notts County Lotteries and a fleet car sales company, and more recently as sales manager for a cleaning and maintenance equipment manufacturer.
Compiled with the assistance of Jon Barnes
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