Eagles fans pay tribute to grief-striken Billy
ONCE a humble pit lad in a Northumbrian mine, Billy Callender is something of a legendary figure in the history of Crystal Palace FC.
The Mickley-born goalkeeper made 225 appearances for the London club in the 1920s and 30s after signing from Prudhoe Castle FC while still working in the pits.
He tragically took his own life after the death of his beloved fiance in 1932, and is buried at Edgewell Cemetery in Prudhoe, overlooking the Tyne Valley.
Home for Callender was a one-up, one-down pitman’s cottage in West Wylam, a stone’s throw from the mine where he would come to work.
He first played football for Wylam Primitive Methodist Church Club, before progressing to Prudhoe Castle FC in his teens.
His performances for his hometown club were impressive and he signed for Palace in October 1923, seen as a longterm replacement for the legendary stopper Jack Alderson – himself hailing from the North East, having been born in Crook, County Durham.
Callender’s signing was one of the last made by Edmund Goodman, who still holds the record as Palace’s longest-serving manager.
The goalkeeper’s debut for Palace came on March 22, 1924, in a 1-0 home win over South Shields.
Appearances for Callender in his first two seasons were limited but following Alderson’s transfer to Sheffield United he became one of the first names on the team sheet during the 1925-26 season, playing in the third division (south). During his time at Palace, Billy became a fan-favourite and is something of a club legend.
Off the field, he became engaged to a young woman from London called Ella Leslie. However, before they could get married, Ella contracted polio.
He frequently roamed Croydon, pushing Ela in her wheelchair, and remained at her bedside for seven weeks – but Ella lost her battle with the disease, leaving him devastated.
He wasn’t able to come to terms with his grief and suffered a breakdown.
He returned to Prudhoe to visit relatives – but little did they realise it was to say farewell to his family and the town. On Monday, July 25, 1932 the goalkeeper went to Selhurst Park to collect his registration papers and for a health and fitness check-up. Tragically, the man who swapped the North coal mines for a life in football never left the Selhurst Park ground.
The following day his body was discovered hanging in one of the stands, his pockets containing letters and a photograph of Ella. The Croydon Advertiser reports there are rumours his ghost haunts the ground.
His body was returned to the North East and he was laid to rest in Prudhoe.
Eddie Graham of Prudhoe Local History Society has researched Billy’s life along with his colleague Len Franchetti. He said: “It was the biggest funeral Prudhoe has ever seen. Thousands of people turned out to pay their respects.”
Billy’s story was immortalised by lifelong Palace fan James Wright ten years ago in a mini-book titled The Sad Story of Billy Callender, where Wright pays tribute to his kindness and devotion, especially in Ella’s last days when
she was bed-ridden. Now, 90 years on from his death, a group of Crystal Palace supporters will be visiting Prudhoe to pay tribute to the club legend.
It was planned for supporters to visit this weekend before their side were due to face Newcastle United in the Premier League, but the plans have been changed as the game is to be rescheduled due to Palace’s continued progress in the FA Cup. However, this will also allow more people to attend.
The supporters have generously agreed to meet the cost of cleaning the grave to make sure it will be in tip-top condition for their visit to Prudhoe.
Eddie added: “The occasion has attraction a considerable degree of interest from local historians and the public and it is hoped that there will be some form of official recognition for the visit.”
Coun Angie Scott, who represents Prudhoe North on Northumberland County Council, has worked alongside the history project in making sure the visit happens. She said: “Eddie and his team are so passionate about the history of Prudhoe and really want to pass the history to younger generations in our town.”