Billy Dare

Who was Billy Dare?

Billy Dare was an English footballer who played as a forward. He was described as "gutsy" and as a "stocky little battler" and was the first ever footballer to sign for a club on live television.

Dare was born in Willesden, London and started his footballing career with Hendon before joining Brentford in 1948. He played only ten games for Hendon, starting with his debut game on 11 September 1948 against Leyton 1868, but managed eight goals. His Brentford came on 12 March 1949 against Luton Town. He made 208 league appearances and 222 in all competitions, before joining West Ham United for £5,000 in 1955.

He made his West Ham debut on 5 March 1955 in a 2-1 home win against Leeds United. His first goal came two games later, on 19 March 1955, in a 2-1 home defeat of Middlesbrough. His 25 goals in all competitions in 1955-56 made him the club's highest scorer for that season. Dare, playing alongside Johnny Dick and Vic Keeble, played in the club's Second Division championship season of 1957-58, Dare contributing 14 league goals in a season in which West Ham scored 101 league goals. A prolific goal scorer, he played 111 league games for the club, scoring 44 goals with 52 goals scored in 125 games in all competitions including one hat-trick in a 3-2 defeat of Bristol Rovers at Eastville on 31 August 1957. Dare played only two games between February 1958 and April 1959 before his transfer 1959.