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Billy McCarthy 1943 – 2020.

 

John Sattler, Ron Coote and Billy McCarthy.

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The South Sydney Rabbitohs and Chelsea United RL Club are mourning the passing of former Souths and Newtown first grade player, Bill McCarthy on the 27th March 2020.

Billy passed away in Cairns on Friday night from emphysema, at the age of 77.

He is the oldest brother of Bob and Rick McCarthy, and uncle of Darren and Troy McCarthy.

The McCarthy’s were a well-respected family in Kepos Street, Redfern.

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William James McCarthy was born on 6 March 1943 in Sydney, playing his junior football with Chelsea United, where he played for many years as a feared forward and well above his age whenever Chelsea were short of players.

Back Row – ? Ron Lalor – David Wood – Ken Kay – *Billy McCarthy – Peter Atkinson – Tom Harvey – Col Downing – Bob Fishburn – Norm Johnson.

Front: Gus Woods – Geoff Gale – Chicka Riddell – Brian Fuz – David Martin – Billy Stokes – Barry Atkinson

Ball Boy: Noel Hazzard

 

Top – Norm Hazzard – Brian Fuz – Alan Webb – Gus Woods – Alan Stewart – Bob Degan – Tassie Stavrianous

Middle – Col Downing – Bob Fishburn – Barry Atkinson – *Billy McCarthy

Sitting on Ground – Warren Thompson – R. Corkhill (Ball Boy) – Herbie Martin

A very good Chelsea United D grade team.

 

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*Note: Left click on all images and photos to enlarge.

Billy was graded by Souths in 1961 and for the next five years played a total of 69 grade games, including 10 in first grade (4 in 1962 and 6 in 1964).

1961

         

*Billy’s very first grade game at the age of only 18.

13th of May 1961

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1962

Billy is Souths Player No. 497 on the First Grade Player Register.

Billy made his first grade debut in 1962 at the age of 19 against Eastern Suburbs on April 21 at Redfern Oval (Round 3), which ended as an 11-all draw after the Roosters led 11-2 at half-time.

One of Billys First Grade games from 1962

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1963.

Billy played in the Reserve Grade team that were just beaten in the 1963 Grand Final.

Score: St George 5 Souths 4.

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1964.

* Left click on photo to enlarge.

*Above photo thanks to Steven Lalich

1964 was Billy’s best year at Souths.

Bill played in 6 First Grade games.

A Good win at the SCG.

Also in 1964 Billy played two games with his younger brother Bob.

Maybe a first two brothers receiving Sun – Hearld points in the same game.

*Below Bob playing in the centres.

The two McCarthy Brothers playing in First Grade for Souths.

 

Once again Billy and Souths are beaten in the  1964 Reserve Grade Grand Final.

Score: St George 7 Souths 2.

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1965

 

Billy replaces brother Bob in a preseason game V Manly in early 1965.

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1966.

Billy moved to Moree in 1966 and played in the Group 5 comp for the Cowra Mission Jets aka the Big M.

The Big M team from 1961. Clive Churchill wearing the number 1 jumper.

* The Little Master was 34 years of age.

While playing for Moree, Billy was chosen to play for Northern Division against the touring

Great Britain side.

The above image is from the E.E. Christensen’s 1967 Year Book.

Supplied by Steve Dillon

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1968.

Billy in 1968  played three first grade games for Newtown.

Newtown Player Number 579 (1968)

*The above Vale is only a  very small part of Billy McCarthy’s Rugby League life.

The McCarthy name will always be honoured in the highest esteem by the Chelsea United RL and South Sydney Rabbitohs Clubs.

We will always remember you Billy and never forget the joy you brought so many of us,as we watched you play.

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 The Chelsea Old Mates would like to pass on our deepest sympathy’s to Billy’s wife Helen.

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Also Bob and Judy and their families.

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*“It is not the critic that counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly… who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who have never known neither victory nor defeat.”

 

RIP Billy.

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