One of ten children of a former Blyth Spartans footballer, Billy Fairhurst was a sturdy left-back who, although representing the North Eastern League during his three seasons with Middlesbrough, did not make his Football League début until joining Southport. He lost his place to Harry Lowe after the 6—0 Boxing Day defeat at Chesterfield. He was with Nelson when they dropped out of the League and stayed on for a season in the Lancashire Combination whilst working as a local dairyman. The manager, English, who signed him for Nelson, also signed him for Northampton. His career ended after Hartlepools owing to an ulcerated leg. He served in the Durham Light Infantry during the war and was one of the first into Belsen Concentration Camp. He worked many years for ICI (Billingham) and died of a heart attack at 76. Four of his brothers were footballers — the best-known being David who was the Newcastle United left-back in the three memorable Cup-ties with Southport.

Profile reproduced with Permission from:
The Sandgrounders: The Complete League History of Southport F. C., by Michael Braham and Geoff Wilde (Palatine Books, 1995). ISBN 978-1-874181-14-9