Billy

[Metalmicky]

Well done Billy - another year booked...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61187570

[since-1969]

Well that’s done it , I was thinking he could drop down to L2 and give us a hand ..Doh!

[normal rules]

Got me thinking.
Pre Billy, when was the last completely enigmatic striker rovers had playing for them.
One that brought the whole fan base together.
Fond memories of “Billy, Billy sharp” ringing around the keepmoat.
I don’t even think Marquis came close. I’m not talking about goal scoring either. Just that buzz that a striker can create every time he gets on the ball.

[RoversAlias]

Doesn't enigmatic mean someone who you barely know anything about? Someone with an air of mystery?

That wasn't Billy. Heart on his sleeve every single time you saw him play or talk.

[Bessie Red]

Got me thinking.
Pre Billy, when was the last completely enigmatic striker rovers had playing for them.
One that brought the whole fan base together.
Fond memories of “Billy, Billy sharp” ringing around the keepmoat.
I don’t even think Marquis came close. I’m not talking about goal scoring either. Just that buzz that a striker can create every time he gets on the ball.

Probably Heffs, he could be deadly in front of goal.

[ChrisBx]

While not a striker, McIndoe is one plater who certainly matched that description.

[Dr Fundlekrotch]

An enigmatic striker is someone who scored once and everyone is waiting for them to do it again.

We've had a few enigmas this year

[Sammy Chung was King]

We’ve had a few enemas as well.

[normal rules]

Enigmatic probably not my best choice of wording there.
Perhaps inspirational would have been better.
There have not been many in my time. That I recall that have come close to stirring supporters quite like Billy did.
Jason price, no.
Heffs, no.
Hayter no. Other than the one special goal.
Chris brown, no,
Lewis guy,  no.
Leo FW, no
Diouf, no
Brian Deane, could have been ?
Tierney, could have been . The one special goal of course.
All just MHO.
We are well overdue someone to shout about up front. Fingers crossed we don’t have to wait much longer.

[Derby Viking]

Colin Cramb?

[Mr1Croft]

Whilst not a striker, and not Pre-Billy, I think Rob Jones was certainly a player who brought the fan base together, wore his heart on his sleeve and instantly became a fan favourite. With the debacle of SOD sacking and the experiment the season before splitting the fans, Rob Jones arrived at the perfect time and became a beacon we could all get behind. At least for that first full season.

Heffs probably came close before we were promoted to the Championship in 08.

Before him? McIndoe? Blundell?

[Sammy Chung was King]

The player I would pay my entrance fee for alone, as well as Coppinger. We’ve had nobody since like those two xxx

[normal rules]

Whilst not a striker, and not Pre-Billy, I think Rob Jones was certainly a player who brought the fan base together, wore his heart on his sleeve and instantly became a fan favourite. With the debacle of SOD sacking and the experiment the season before splitting the fans, Rob Jones arrived at the perfect time and became a beacon we could all get behind. At least for that first full season.

Heffs probably came close before we were promoted to the Championship in 08.

Before him? McIndoe? Blundell?

Oh to have another Rob Jones.
Possibly one of my fave rovers songs too. He was just Gold wasn’t he?

[TommyC]

Got me thinking.
Pre Billy, when was the last completely enigmatic striker rovers had playing for them.
One that brought the whole fan base together.
Fond memories of “Billy, Billy sharp” ringing around the keepmoat.
I don’t even think Marquis came close. I’m not talking about goal scoring either. Just that buzz that a striker can create every time he gets on the ball.

Barnsey

[drfchound]

Billy is the best natural fox in the box type of striker I have seen playing for us in my close on 60 years of on and off watching Rovers.
He always had the strikers instinct of knowing where the ball was going to drop or rebound to and very often was on the end of to score.
A great character to have on the pitch.

[idler]

Did you see Colin Booth hound?
He was phemomanel for us from day one when he signed. He was a joy to watch and scored for fun. He got a hat trick against Southport on Alick's return as their defence were keeping such an eye on Alick and giving him more room.
The rumour at the time was that Alfie Hale was a bit fond of his wife so he moved to Oxford to replace Hugh Curran who had moved to Wolves.

[drfchound]

I did see Colin Booth idler, in fact he was the first Rovers player I saw score for us.
I was about ten when I started going to games and his scoring exploits encouraged me to play up front, something I did throughout my playing career.

[idler]

He was a great finisher hound.He was certainly far better than most in that division.

[Sammy Chung was King]

Billy has an instinct you can’t teach. He was a joy to watch. A proper striker that the opposition defenders feared. Hopefully Griffiths can develop into the same thing.