What Became of Billy Kenny?
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Does anyone know what became of Billy Kenny?
Back in the early 90s Billy Kenny was a highly regarded youngster. Peter Beardsley famously called him Everton's Paul Gascoigne.
I remember the December 1992 derby. Everton won 2-1 with Johnston and Beardsley scoring. Kenny started the game and played well.
Kenny went on to make 17 appearances for Everton that season and even scored a goal against Chelsea. He also represented England at U21 level.
Sadly by 1994 the fame had got the better of him and he developed a cocaine habit. Everton, then under the management of Mike Walker, took a hard line and sacked him.
Later that year, Oldham offered him a lifeline but he only made 4 appearances for them before once again being sacked for drug abuse.
Since then nobody seems to have heard anything about Billy Kenny.
Billy Kenny would be 37 now. Does anyone know what became of him? Is he still in Liverpool? Did he finally beat his addictions? Does he have a family and normal life?
I hope his story doesn't have a sad ending? I hope other youngsters (Jose Baxter) can learn from Kenny's mistakes.
Dick Anderson,
Romford Posted 05/02/2010 at 08:12:44
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http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/mar/07/1
I know that he played for Barrow AFC after Oldham but was eventually binned off. Last i heard he was working in the property business.
Dick Ihe used to frequent the Dolphin Swimming baths is Romford. All for it’s wave machine.
I remember a Grandstand/football focus type feature on him some years back and he was struggling to get by and living in a block of flats. He was partly using it as a message for kids to not follow his example. It’s a shame as by all accounts he had real talent. Other than that not sure what became of him.
Good article, Dick. Sad discovery though.
Dan, thanks for that link. Fascinating. Nil Lamptey’s story in particular is extraordinary and deeply moving.
Dick, I have seen him with his family, in and about the City.
He looks well, and I suppose has reservations of what might have been.
Last I heard he was managing a few industrial units down in Yale and Widness.
He is a season ticket holder so might see him in the ground.
This got me looking at former promising Everton players.
Jeffers, has only scored 35 goals in his entire career.
Cademateri, done for assult, perverting the course of justice, and drug offences, now makes his money in the SPL.
Michael Ball, still a free agent.
Lineker, TV tit and a little too weird to babysit your kids.
Interesting link, Dan - I’m surprised they didn’t have Robin Friday on the list.
On the "Whatever happened to ..." theme, anyone know what happened with Jimmy Husband and Johnny Morrissey?
Not so much Gazza more like Roy Keane, he looked like he was going to be the complete midfielder this isn’t just looking back with rose coloured glasses, but think Jack Rodwell with more drive and mobility, yet another Everton kid that didn’t fulfull his potential
When I was a lad I played for my local boys team in St Helens. I was shit if I’m honest. I spent years on the touchline waiting to get on for the last 5 minutes when I’d get on as a reward for turning up. I continued to be shit all through my teens and into adulthood. I was shit in the work 5 aside and to be honest am shit know when playing with my kids. One day, my local kids team where playing Rainhill Juniors who were very good. They were in the guiness book of records or some such thing for winning the most consecutive games in a run (kids team category I think). Billy Kenny was the stuff of legend at the time. A big kid who was going to be a pro. We were short of lads and I got on from the start, and I had the game of my life. I bossed the back 4, parents cheered my name from the side, and Billy Kenny never got a sniff. I got the man of the match award - the only one I ever had. Next game I started - I was shit- we lost by a cricket score - and I went on to kids team obscurity. For a small window of time I could tell my mates how I outplayed one of everton’s stars. Funny old game really
It’s all to easy to put the rose tinted glasses on looking back at these things. However I do remember thinking Kenny was a real talent when he burst on to the scene as a youngster. I’d agree with Dave Hallwood, more Keane than Gazza, could’ve been a classic Everton midfielder.
Mike, not sure about where Johnny is now but I now he retired at Oldham and his lad also Johnny played for Tranmere for years. I found an obscure web page on Jimmy Husband, I know he played for a few years in the states and about half way down this web page says he lives in Northampton and runs the Everton supporters club there, but not sure how up to date that is as it says Tuart on Man City board - http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/bob.dunning/where44.htm
I have always felt that Billy Kenny should have been an absolute star. He was going to be the player to build the team around....but how it went wrong.
By the way Gavin you betray your age , Johnny Morrissey jr played for us before being offloaded. Don’t remember how many appearances but seem to remember he played against UCD in the cup winners cup.
I have always felt that Billy Kenny should have been an absolute star. He was going to be the player to build the team around....but how it went wrong.
By the way Gavin you betray your age , Johnny Morrissey jr played for us before being offloaded. Don’t remember how many appearances but seem to remember he played against UCD in the cup winners cup.
Jonny Morrisssey, ended up owning a load of houses in and around bootle, together with a partner called Bains.
I came accross them on stanley rd about 17 years ago were they had an office. I think they were quite comfortable and as a business doing well with property.
Bill Kenny could of been an everton great, and one of my favourite memories of him, was against Vinny Jones , Jones tackled him and put Billy on his arse, he promptly got up and kicked Vinny up the backside in a temper. I think Vinny was shocked to death, Billy although a lot smaller didnt take prisoners, and is one of a very few, to have a go at Vinny Jones.
Billy was tough, and could play football as well as anyone ive seen.
Tragic waste of a great talent!
I’m 40 Rob, I remember the Cup Winners Cup but not his lad
Andy Darron - your story moved me to tears. Of laughter! Nice one...
After a sleepless night doubting my memory - I checked and I was wrong! Morrissey came on against Bratislava not UCD!
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1 Posted 05/02/2010 at 14:29:18
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