One of the last survivors of a North East football clubs Amateur Cup glory days has died at the age of 87. Mike Amos looks back at his career.

Billy Russell’s time at Bishop Auckland was brief and memorable, his opening goal against Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley in 1957 helping clinch the club's historic hat-trick of Amateur Cup victories.

“I saw him quite recently and he seemed in very good health” said Bishops’ historian and author Alan Adamthwaite.

“Apparently he just sat down in his chair and passed away.”

Already known for transporting players across the Pennines – legendary figures like Warren Bradley, Derek Lewin and Harry Sharratt – Bishops went a bit further with Bill Russell. He was a student at Aberystwyth University and a player with Rhyl.

“He was brought in purely to help secure that third Wembley win” said Mr Adamthwaite.

Doubtless the amateurs paid his train fare and gave him a couple of bob for a sandwich.

Not everyone was so happy, though. Bill had signed in February 1957, scoring twice on his debut in a Durham Challenge Cup tie against Stockton but had made just a handful of appearances before the Bishops’ committee named the team – five days before the game – for the semi-final against Hayes at St James’ Park.

Russell was in, centre forward Ray Oliver – the rugged Cullercoats lifeboatman – was out. The committee claimed he was injured, Ray claimed it was cobblers and stayed at home – “nursing his injury’ and his pride” says Alan.

Ironically the student from Aberystwyth was himself unable to play, the Welsh FA insisting instead that he take part in a representative game against a Scottish junior side at Hampden Park.

Ray Oliver also missed out on a third final, Lewin and Bradley adding goals in a 3-1 win watched by a 100,000 crowd.

Bill Russell was born in Hounslow, studied languages at Aberystwyth and subsequently taught German and Russian. His father had played for Chelsea and Hearts.

Earlier in the 1956-57 season he’d helped non-league Rhyl – managed by his father – to a 3-1 FA Cup third round win at Notts County – “regarded by many as the greatest performance ever by a Welsh non-league side in the FA Cup” says a website.

Spotted by Joe Mercer, he’d also had an amateur spell with Manchester City, became friends with goalkeeper Bert Trautmann and played for Frankfurt – “not Eintracht, the other one” Bill liked to say.

The Wembley hat-trick secured, he returned to Rhyl but in November 1957 signed for first division Sheffield United, hitting 55 goals in 144 Football League appearances.

He moved to Bolton and then Rochdale before non-league spells with Scarborough and Chorley, his career ended by a third broken leg. He returned to North Wales, and to teaching.

Mr Adamthwaite had last year launched an on-line appeal to track him down.

“I’m so glad I did” he says. “Bill was a delightful and wholly unassuming chap, a true gentleman.”