BORN in Boscombe in 1934, sport was in Bill’s blood from day one. His father, also called Bill, was a footballer for Charminster and Christchurch while his Uncle George was an opening bowler for Hampshire.

So it came as no surprise when Bill signed onto the books at Dean Court in 1954, after enjoying amateur success as a schoolboy and in the Army.

Bill’s debut for Bournemouth came in 1956 at home to Crystal Palace, where they drew 2-2.

“Getting picked for that side was one of the highlights of my career,” says Bill.

It was also in Bournemouth where Bill met his wife, Joyce.

“I was on holiday,” she explains. “In those days it was nothing special that he was a footballer – I certainly wasn’t a WAG.”

In 1958 Bill moved to Lincoln City, where he enjoyed regular first team appearances and large crowds.

“I was offered a first team place, they were in the second division and Bournemouth were still in the third division south,” he says. “It was a step up for me.”

After Lincoln Bill signed on for Cambridge City in 1962 and a year later the side won the Southern League title.

He then went on to be player manager of Newmarket and when he retired from professional football he stayed in Cambridgeshire and worked as a rep for several sportswear brands.

Bill moved back to Bournemouth seven years ago having missing the seaside.

“We have a beach hut at Sandbanks,” he says. “I go swimming in the sea there between March and November.”