William Laurence Bingham, MBE was a footballer and manager for Northern Ireland. At the age of 90, he passed away. Let’s see how did he die, what happened, and what was Billy Bingham Cause of Death.
How did Billy Bingham die?
Bingham led Northern Ireland to the World Cup finals twice: the first time in 1982, when they famously defeated hosts Spain, and the second time in 1986.
Bingham, an outside right, was born in East Belfast and has 56 caps. He moved up through the ranks at Glentoran before joining Sunderland for £8,000 in 1950. He stayed at Roker Park for eight years, making over 200 league appearances and scoring 47 goals.
Bingham was a member of the Northern Ireland team that advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals in 1958, only to lose to France.
Bingham’s goal gave Luton victory over Norwich in the 1959 FA Cup semi-final, allowing them to advance to Wembley, where they lost to Nottingham Forest.
Prior to stepping into managing, he won the 1962–63 First Division title with Everton, which includes stints as manager of the Northern Ireland national team and a stay with Greece.
In 1980, Bingham took over as manager of his country for the second time. Billy Bingham cause of death was illness.
Billy Bingham Cause of Death
He was a member of Sunderland’s famed ‘Bank of England’ team in the 1950s, and while on Wearside, he won 33 international caps for Northern Ireland.
He went on to play for Luton Town, Everton, and Port Vale, all of whom he eventually managed.
“Dad was diagnosed with dementia back in 2006, and I think it is a testimony to his will that he managed another 16 years from that diagnosis to the time he passed away,” Bingham’s son David said in a statement.
“He died quietly in a care home in Southport last night at 10.30 p.m.
“We are really proud of everything our father has accomplished.” Billy Bingham Cause of death was natural illness.
Billy Bingham’s Club Career
Bingham was the captain of Elmgrove Primary School’s football team and was also picked for Northern Ireland schoolboy games. He grew raised in Belfast’s Bloomfield neighborhood with Jackie Blanchflower. He started his career with Glentoran on a weekly salary of £6.
On March 12, 1949, he made his senior debut in a 1–1 tie with Ballymena United. In 1949–50, the “Glens” finished second in the Irish League. Bingham also made two appearances for the Irish League representative team while with Glentoran.
He was a popular player with the “Black Cats” because of his speed and ball-control, and he eventually pushed his way into Bill Murray’s first-team plans in 1950–51. In 1953–54, he only made 19 appearances as Wright maintained his first-team spot.
In 1954–55, Bingham reclaimed his starting spot for Sunderland, scoring 10 goals in 42 appearances as the Black Cats finished fourth in the First Division, four points behind winners Chelsea. They also advanced to the FA Cup semi-finals, when they were defeated by Manchester City at Villa Park.
The “Hatters” finished 17th in the league in 1958–59, but Bingham scored the game-winning goal in the FA Cup semi-final against Norwich City, advancing them to the final. His corner set up Dave Pacey for Luton’s consolation goal in a 2–1 defeat to Nottingham Forest in the Wembley final.
Bingham’s International Career
He was a Northern Ireland international who made his debut against France when he was 19 years old. He was chosen by manager Peter Doherty to compete in the 1958 FIFA World Cup in Sweden.
After scoring against Portugal in Lisbon, Bingham helped his side earn a qualification spot on the coast of Portugal and Italy.
Northern Ireland defeated Czechoslovakia and drew with West Germany in the tournament before defeating Czechoslovakia in a play-off match to proceed to the quarter-finals, where they were defeated 4–0 by France.
He was awarded 56 complete caps, which was a record at the time, and he also scored 10 goals, half of which came against Scotland in the British Home Championship.
Billy Bingham Manager Career
In March 1980, Bingham was appointed manager of Northern Ireland for the second time. In 1980, he guided his country to victory in the British Home Championship. In 1982, however, they only managed a single point.
After qualifying with Scotland with unexpected victories over Sweden, Portugal, and Israel, he led Northern Ireland to the 1982 FIFA World Cup. Despite having a small roster and only a few real world-class players at his disposal, Bingham’s team upset the host nation, Spain, with a 1–0 victory at the Mestalla Stadium during the tournament.
In 1983, he led Northern Ireland to third place in the British Home Championship, before winning the last edition of the tournament with a 2–0 victory against Scotland 1984.
After leading the country to the 1986 FIFA World Cup, Bingham proved that 1982 was no fluke. They, along with England, qualified for the tournament by defeating Romania, Finland, and Turkey to finish second in their group.
They were up against an impossible opposition in Brazil and Spain and only managed a point against Algeria to finish the tournament. During the 1987–88 season, he also coached Al-Nassr in the Saudi Professional League, where he led the team to their sixth Kings Cup title.
Bingham later worked as the director of football for Blackpool. He came out of retirement in May 2008 to work for Burnley as a talent spotter in Ireland.
Bingham’s Award
Bingham has received numerous awards and honors, including an MBE for services to football in 1981 and the Professional Footballers’ Association’s annual Merit Award for “outstanding contribution” to the game in 1994.
This puts him in the company of such managerial greats as Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Brian Clough, Sir Alex Ferguson, and Sir Bobby Robson, as well as playing greats like Pelé, Sir Stanley Matthews, Sir Tom Finney, Sir Bobby Charlton, and fellow Northern Ireland International George Best, who have all received the award since its inception in 1974.
Bingham was also awarded FIFA’s “Centennial Order of Merit” in 2004, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the world governing body of football.
Fan’s reactions to Billy Bingham’s Death
Gerry Armstrong said,
Just heard the sad news that Billy Bingham, Northern Ireland’s greatest manager has sadly passed away after suffering from dementia over 7 years.Heartfelt condolences to his only son David,family & ex-wife Rebecca Who can forget the wonderful memories that Billy has left us with
Steven Beacom said,
Some really sad news… I’ve been asked by David Bingham son of the legendary Billy Bingham to let people know that Billy has passed away. Billy played in the 1958 World Cup for Northern Ireland & managed his country to the finals in 1982 and 1986. Condolences to Billy’s family
Southport Football Club said,
Everyone at Southport Football Club is saddened to learn of the passing of former manager Billy Bingham, aged 90. We will have a full tribute to Billy on our website later.
Michael C said,
Such sad news hearing of the passing of Northern Ireland legend Billy Bingham As a player Billy was an integral part of the team that reached the 1/4 Final of 1958 World Cup. Then as manager he guided NI during the glory days in the 1980s to qualify for both Spain 1982.
Luton Town FC said,
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