STOCKPORT-BORN Bill Bocking joined his hometown club from Hyde United in 1923.
And, although he had to wait more than 12 months to make his first-team debut, before retiring in 1938 he was an Edgeley Park legend.
His no-nonsense approach to the game, allied to his commitment, speed and strength earned him the reputation as Division Three North's most accomplished fullback.
And, after 276 County appearances, many as captain, Everton paid a four-figure sum to take him to Goodison Park.
His first two games for the Toffees earned him a quite unique record. His Everton debut came in the final game of the 1931-32 season when, alongside Ted Critchley and Charlie Gee, two more former County favourites, the Merseyside club won promotion to Division One.
His next game was the opening-day clash with Birmingham City so, when you consider that his final County game was in Division Three (North), Bocking had played three consecutive matches in three different Football League divisions.
Three seasons on Merseyside saw him play just 16 games and it was no real surprise when he returned to Edgeley Park for a fee of £250 in August 1934.
Once again installed as captain, Bocking led the Hatters on their record-breaking FA Cup run in 1934-35.
However, just before kick-off against West Bromwich Albion in round five, he made a decision he was never allowed to forget.
Winning the toss he elected to kick against a gale-force wind. Albion scored 5 first-half goals and County's cup dream was over.
The summer of 1935 saw the Main Stand on Hardcastle Road ravaged by fire. Many invaluable club records were destroyed, but not Bocking's prized possession.
Rumour has it that the heroic fullback risked his life and raced into the inferno only to emerge minutes later with his precious football boots intact!
Fact or fiction? You can draw your own conclusion. The following paragraph, though, is perfectly true.
Two years later, in May 1937, County beat Lincoln City in their final game of the season to win the Division Three (North) title.
Bocking didn't play; he'd missed the last nine games through injury. Yet, at the end of the match, a record attendance of around 27,000 chanted, 'We want Bocking. We want Bocking'. They would not leave the ground until their hero had made an appearance!
Billy hung up his 'beloved boots' at the end of the following campaign 3 games short of 400 first-team apperances, a County record that would stand until the early 1960s when it was beaten by Bobby Murray.
Bill Bocking's full League career:
|
Club |
Date Signed |
Apps |
Goals |
|
Stockport County |
August 1923 |
262 |
6 |
|
Everton |
April 1931 |
15 |
0 |
|
Stockport County |
August 1934 |
104 |
0 |
|
Total |
|
381 |
6 |
