Billy Wilson

Coaching Career

Vital Statistics

Full Name
Billy Alfred Wilson
Nickname(s)
Captain Blood
Born
Tuesday, 31st May, 1927
Died
Thursday, 25th March, 1993 (Aged 65 years and 299 days)
Place Of Birth
Blakehurst, New South Wales, Australia

Biography

Known as 'Captain Blood' because of the many times he spilt the precious fluid for his club, the St George junior was graded as a centre/lock in 1948. Wilson took on a captain-coach position with Picton in 1950-51 and representing Southern Division against Great Britain in 1950. Returning to the Dragons, he was sent off in the club's loss in the 1953 final and played the 1954 semi-final against Norths with a broken arm and gashed eye. Wilson went on to win six premierships with the club (1956 & 1958-62). In the first of these Wilson moved to the centres when Max Lees left the field injured but his development as a tough, relentless forward saw him gravitate to the front row later in his career. Wilson captain-coached Wagga in 1957 but returned to St George for another grand final victory the following year. Rep honours came with maturity; playing for Australia in three Tests against NZ in 1959 before touring with the 1959-60 Kangaroos and appearing in five Tests. Wilson captained St George in 1962 following the retirement of Ken Kearney but was sent off in the grand final win against Wests after flattening rival forward Jim Cody. Contemplating retirement, Wilson was signed by Norths (on a modest £900 transfer fee) where his experience was invaluable. In 1963 he received the belated honour of captaining Australia in two Tests against the visiting Kiwis but he played the Second Test under a fitness cloud and was dropped from the remainder of the series. After breaking his leg in 1964 Wilson led Norths into the 1965 preliminary final before retiring in 1966. A non-playing coach in 1967, he was forced to play three matches after injuries ravaged his side – a record twentieth season of first grade football. The League fraternity was saddened by Wilson’s passing after suffering a stroke in March 1993.
- ALAN WHITICKER

Coaching Career Statistics

All statistics shown in this section are based only on data available in the RLP database, and are not necessarily a complete and/or 100% accurate representation of a player's career. This information should be used as a guide only. If you see a question mark (?), it denotes that the figure is not available.

To view a list of corresponding matches, click on the List button.

Competitions

Competition   Games W L D Win %  
Craven Mild Cup 4 1 2 1 25.00% List
NRL 22 8 13 1 36.36% List


Club Career

NRL/NSWRL - By Year

Team Season Games W L D Win %  
North Sydney NSWRFL 1967 22 8 13 1 36.36% List

NRL/NSWRL - By Team

Team Years Games W L D Win %  
North Sydney 1967 22 8 13 1 36.36% List

Your Say

  • Col the Bear
    05/02/2011

    Billy Wilson is also a member of the North Sydney Team of the Century (prop).

  • roy horrigan
    01/04/2012

    one of the hardest men i ever saw play league.i was fortunate enough to meet billy in the late 1960s.i was having a beer at the royal hotel in carlton when he came in dressed ina suit.i think he had been to a funeral.he was next to me at the bar and we shook hands and introduced ourselves.was like shaking hand with a steel vice.a very tough man.great forward.

  • Cherie Mitchell
    09/02/2021

    My father worked with Billy Wilson, he was a tough man. Dad told me he watched Billy play a game and was surprised when he called for him to come to the dressing sheds. He told dad to walk on one side of him and carry his bag out to the car. Billy had I think dislocated his shoulder and didn’t want the selectors to realise he was hurt as he had been picked to play for Australia. So many stories but to me(a child ) he was just Uncle Billy a wonderful gentle giant and great man. Always missed.

  • Geoff Thomas
    20/03/2023

    Watched Billy live playing for the Dragons from 1959. Was one of the hardest forwards I ever saw and was great at softening up the opposition front rows. Set up a wonderful platform for the Dragons backs including Brian Clay, Reg Gasnier, Johnny Riley and others.

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Contributions: Shawn Dollin, Andrew Ferguson, Greg Fiveash, Rugby League Tables, Alan Katzmann, Paul Carter, Max Turner