Luton Town – The Legends Series – Billy Waugh

For the latest in our ongoing series covering those who have achieved legendary status among the support, we feature another former Luton figure who became a fans favourite.

Following on from those already covered – John Moore, David Preece, Mal Donaghy, Brian Lewis, Bruce Rioch, Fred Jardine, Brian Horton, Kevin Nicholls, Tony Read, Steve Foster, Mike Keen, Ian Buxton, Lars Elstrup, Peter Anderson, Graham French, Alan West, David Moss, Terry Branston, John Aston, Paul Futcher, John Ryan, Syd Owen, Marvin Johnson, Malcolm MacDonald, Bob Hatton, Steve Buckley,Chris Coyne, Ron Baynham, John Still, Jack Bannister, Ricky Hill, Chris Nicholl, Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, Don Givens, Gordon Turner, Brian Stein, Jesse Pye, Raddy Antic, Joe Payne, Max Dougan, Alan Slough, Ray Whittaker, Dave Pacey, Milija Aleksic, Ron Davies, Sandy Davie John O’Rourke, Les Sealey, Bob Morton, Wally Shanks, Gordon Riddick, Billy Bingham, Herbert Moody, Adrian Alston, Reg Pearce, Keith Allen, Jimmy Ryan, George Cummins, Rodney Fern, Harry Walden, Billy McDerment, Scott Oakes, Bert Mitchell, Kingsley Black, Mike Harrison, Matt Tees, Jimmy Husband and John Collins

For the latest in our ongoing and, hopefully, comprehensive series, we’re going to take a brief look at the career of Billy Waugh, as nominated by David Davies.

When it comes to looking back at the Hatters career of Billy Waugh, I have to admit that I’m having to refer to the history books seeing as his career came well before I was even born, but I’m hoping that I can do the player justice.

Billy Waugh played for the Hatters during the period 1944-1950, making 147 appearances (in all competitions) and scoring on 12 occasions (in all competitions).

Before moving to Kenilworth Road, Billy had started his career in Scotland, making an impact in Scottish Junior football.

With regular football interrupted by the Second World War, Billy, serving in the RAF at Bicester, came to the attention of Luton Town Football Club and signed for the club in 1944.

Being only 5 feet 6 inches tall, physical strength was never going to be one of his big assets, but he had tremendous pace and had the ability to create chances for the forwards alongside him.

Nicknamed ‘The Rabbit’ by the Hatters support, it looked as if he was set to spend a huge part of his career with the Hatters, even more so when he became the first Luton Town player to make 100 league appearances, for the club, after World War Two had been concluded.

Sadly, it wasn’t to be, the history books show that in 1950, Billy was sold to their Division Two rials, Queens Park Rangers, a move forthcoming after a supposed fall-out with the manager at the time, Dally Duncan.

After leaving the Hatters for Queens Park Rangers with whom he remained with for three years, Billy started to slip down the football ladder playing for the likes of Chelmsford City and Bedford Town before quitting the game.

While playing non-league football, Billy worked as an insurance agent before joining a company many Lutonians will know well, Electrolux.

Billy spent a noteworthy three decades with the electrical manufacturer before retiring to Felixstowe.

Sadly, Billy passed away on 26-March-2009 aged 87.

In concluding, I’d like to thank the good folk that run the excellent Hatters Heritage web site for being able to provide some valuable information on a player the readership asked me to cover in our ongoing legends series.

Billy Waugh – Mini Fact File

Name – William Lindsay Waugh

Date of Birth – 27-November-1921

Place of Birth – Edinburgh, Scotland

Height – 5 feet 6 inches

Position – Winger

Youth Career – Meadow Bank Thistle, Ratho Amateurs

Playing Career – Rosewell Rosedale, Heart of Midlothian (trial), Bathgate Thistle, Luton Town, Queens Park Rangers, Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic, Chelmsford City, Bedford Town, Ashford Town, March Town United

If you feel able to share any of your thoughts or memories on the Hatters career of Billy Waugh, please feel free to do so in the comment facility beneath this article.

If you can think of anyone who deserves nominating for coverage in this ongoing series, please drop their name into the comment facility beneath this article.

My thanks go to those who have already nominated faces from the past, they will all be covered, in time.

Next up in the series will be Steve Howard as suggested by Mad Hatter.

COYH’s

Previous article by Mad Hatter

Luton Town – Out Of Favour Defender Is A Wanted Man