Billy McCullock first appeared for County in wartime football when he was stationed with the RAF, the tough-tackling Scot impressing from the first of his 47 appearances in December 1943.

Although registered with County from 1945, he was not demobbed until 1946 and did not make an appearance in the last season of regionalised football.

On the resumption of League football, the influential half-back was made captain and, during the next eight seasons, made 338 League and Cup appearances.

The only season in which McCulloch failed to appear in a minimum of 40 games was during 1947-48 when, whilst scoring County's extra-time winner against Shrewsbury Town in an FA Cup second round replay at Maine Road, he was carried off suffering from severe concussion.

A serious operation was necessary and McCulloch missed the rest of the season.

The formidable defender returned and captained County in only their second appearance in the fifth round of the FA Cup, in February 1950, when they were beaten by Liverpool in front of Edgeley Park's record attendance.

On leaving County in July 1954, the 32-year-old McCulloch spent four seasons with Rochdale where he made 140 League appearances.

Such was the popularity he had engendered at Edgeley Park that, when it became known in 1960 that Billy McCulloch had multiple sclerosis, an appear fun was immediately set up to try to pay off his mortgage.

As part of the McCulloch appeal, a crowd of 6,563 saw County win 5-4 against an All Stars XI which attracted many famous players inlcuding Ray Wood, Jimmy Scoular, Jimmy Adamson, Tom Finney, Ray Pointer, Dennis Viollet and Billy Liddell.

Billy McCulloch's fund was officially closed on November 30, 1960 having raised £1,220, enough for the deeds of his house to be bought and handed over to him.

McCulloch died the following year at the age of 39, the financal effects of his death upon his wife and three young children lessened by the supporters of the man they held in such high esteem.

Thanks to Stockport County - A Complete Record by Peter Freeman with assistance from Richard Harnwell.