Bill Livingstone Explained

Bill Livingstone
Fullname:William Rennison Livingstone
Birth Date:8 February 1929
Birth Place:Greenock, Scotland
Death Date:March 2011 (aged 82)
Death Place:Reading, England
Position:Centre half, right back
Youthyears1:–1949
Youthclubs1:Ardeer Recreation
Years1:1949–1955
Clubs1:Reading
Caps1:49
Goals1:2
Years2:1955–1959
Clubs2:Chelsea
Caps2:20
Goals2:0
Years3:1959–1960
Clubs3:Brentford
Caps3:19
Goals3:0
Years4:1960–1961
Clubs4:Hastings United

William Rennison Livingstone (8 February 1929 – March 2011) was a Scottish professional footballer who played as a centre half in the Football League for Reading, Chelsea and Brentford.

Playing career

Reading

Livingstone began his career in Scotland as a right back at junior club Ardeer Recreation, before securing a move to English Third Division South club Reading in April 1949.[1] He had a slow start to life at Elm Park and failed make a first team breakthrough until the 1953–54 season, when he managed 31 league appearances. His appearances tailed off the following year and he departed the club at the end of the 1954–55 season. Livingstone made 52 appearances and scored two goals in six years with the Royals.

Chelsea

Livingstone moved to First Division club Chelsea in June 1955.[2] He had to wait until November 1956 to enjoy a run in the team, when he made 12 appearances at centre half, before losing his place in January 1957. Livingstone was released at the end of the 1958–59 season and made just 22 appearances during four years at Stamford Bridge.[3]

Brentford

Livingstone dropped to the Third Division to join Chelsea's West London neighbours Brentford on a free transfer in July 1959. Signed as cover for the injured Ian Dargie, Livingstone found himself behind Sid Russell in the pecking order in the first month of the 1959–60 season, before breaking into the team in September 1959 and holding down his place until January 1960,[4] when Dargie returned to fitness. Livingstone was released in May 1960, after making 21 appearances for Brentford.

Hastings United

Livingstone dropped into non-League football to join Southern League Premier Division club Hastings United in 1960.

Career statistics

Club! rowspan="2"
SeasonLeagueFA CupTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Chelsea1955–56[5] First Division001010
1956–5712010130
1957–58800080
Total20020220
Brentford1959–60Third Division19020210
Career total39040430

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bill Livingstone (1929–2011) . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20161108135007/http://www.readingfcformerplayers.co.uk/players/18/Bill_Livingstone_%281929-2011 . 8 November 2016 . 16 June 2015 . Reading FC Former Players Association.
  2. Web site: William Livingstone – Chelsea Player Profile . 16 June 2015 . Stamford-Bridge.com The History of Chelsea FC.
  3. Book: Haynes, Graham . Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006 . Coumbe . Frank . Yore Publications . 2006 . 978-0955294914 . 97.
  4. Book: 100 Years Of Brentford . Brentford FC . 1989 . 0951526200 . White . Eric . 385.
  5. Web site: Bill Livingstone . 15 January 2017 . 11v11.com.