ONE spectator will have more interest than most when Blackburn Rovers play Glasgow Rangers on the other side of the world on Sunday.

For Wilf Billington, who emigrated to Australia 50 years ago, is a former Rovers goalkeeper.

He is planning to travel from his home 20 miles outside Sydney to see the current side on their pre-season tour.

Wilf said: “I was on Rovers books from 1947 to 1954 but I never got a run in the first team.

“I think my biggest claim to fame is that Bill Shankly, the legendary Liverpool manager signed me when he was at Wigan.”

Wilf, now 80, grew up on Coniston Road, Blackburn and went to St Alban’s School.

Among his schoolmates was Jack Walker, the man who transformed Blackburn Rovers into Premier League champions in 1995.

“We would all hang out together when we were teenagers and would go to Bangor Street youth club,” said Wilf.

“I hadn’t seen Jack for 40 years after I emigrated then in 1999 I made a visit to Blackburn and was having lunch at the club when Jack came in.

"He came straight over to me and gave me a hug, He recognised me instantly.”

Wilf has been back to Blackburn several times in recent years and keeps in touch with events to Ewood Park through the former players association.

One of Wilf’s old mates, Ken Brooks, who is now in North Carolina, has sent us this photograph showing some of Bangor Boys playing snooker at the Troy Street club 65 years ago.

Round the table, wearing their collar and ties, back in 1945 are, from the left: Jeff Grierson, at the back, Brian Ingham, Ray Talbot, who is playing and next to him is Doug Payne, who was wicketkeeper for Rishton and in 1955 set a Lancashire League record, with 53 victims.

The next person is unknown, then Bill Turner and stood near the centre pocket is Jack Walker.

Then comes Ray Bickerstaffe, Harry Singleton, Unknown, Ray Knowles, Jack Aspin, Ken, Ronnie Ingham and on the end on the right is Wilf.