Billy Rodaway Explained

Billy Rodaway
Fullname:William Vincent Rodaway
Birth Date:26 September 1954
Birth Place:Liverpool, England
Height:[1]
Position:Central defender
Years1:1971–1981
Caps1:203
Goals1:1
Years2:1981–1983
Caps2:81
Goals2:0
Years3:1983–1984
Caps3:41
Goals3:0
Years4:1984–1986
Caps4:58
Goals4:5
Years5:1986–1987
Caps5:44
Goals5:2
Clubs6:Runcorn
Clubs7:Altrincham
Clubs8:Colne Dynamoes
Manageryears1:1998
Managerclubs1:Accrington Stanley

William Vincent Rodaway (born 26 September 1954) is an English former football player and manager. A central defender, he made more than 400 appearances in the Football League, playing for Burnley, Peterborough United, Blackpool and Tranmere Rovers. He later played non-league football for Runcorn, Altrincham and Colne Dynamoes, and also had non-playing roles at Halifax Town, Runcorn, Morecambe, Altrincham and Colne Dynamoes before a spell as Accrington Stanley manager in 1998.

Playing career

Born in Liverpool, Rodaway played for England at schoolboy level.[2] He started his career at Burnley, making his debut towards the end of the 1971–72 season, though it took until Colin Waldron's departure in 1976 for Rodaway to receive regular game time as a central defender. He left Burnley after the 1980–81 season, and subsequently played for Peterborough United, Blackpool and Tranmere Rovers. He returned to Burnley on a free transfer ahead of the 1986–87 season. He missed just two games across the season as Burnley finished 22nd in the Fourth Division, one point above relegated Lincoln City.[3] He was released at the end of the season, and subsequently played non-league football for Runcorn, Altrincham and Colne Dynamoes, winning the FA Vase in 1988 with the latter.

Managerial career

Rodaway held the assistant manager role at Halifax Town, Runcorn and Morecambe and was also a coach at both Colne Dynamoes and Altrincham prior to being appointed manager of Accrington Stanley in April 1998.[4] [5] He was sacked in December following a 5–0 defeat to Bamber Bridge.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Rothmans Football Yearbook 1987–88 . Peter . Dunk . Queen Anne Press . London . 1987 . 98 . 978-0-356-14354-5.
  2. Book: Lee, Edward . Burnley : a complete record, 1882-1991 . 1991 . Breedon Books . 0-907969-90-9 . Derby . 124 . 26545327.
  3. Web site: Season 1986-87 . 12 April 2023 . Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation.
  4. Web site: 29 April 1998 . NON-LEAGUE: Rodaway is new Stanley manager . 12 April 2023 . Lancashire Telegraph.
  5. Web site: 1 May 1998 . SOCCER: Billy can! . 12 April 2023 . Lancashire Telegraph.
  6. Web site: 31 December 1998 . SOCCER: Stanley appoint Harrison . 12 April 2023 . Lancashire Telegraph.