Pete Sixsmith’s outstanding tribute to Billy Hughes originally appeared here.For technical reasons this post now appears at https://safc.blog/billy-hughes-rip-with-his-passing-a-bit-of-me-has-gone-too/<. It is worth the effort to go to that link./blockquote>
Legend is an overused description but Billy was an outstanding servant, strong on both flanks and very useful in the air. He had that indefinable swagger that the greats tend to possess. He came through the youth team as one of Charlie Ferguson’s discoveries and was so loyal to Sunderland. As with Monty, he would have received more caps if he had moved to a more fashionable club. Billy together with Vic and Dennis Tueart had a season or so of terrorizing defences. With Bobby Kerr and Ian Porterfield we had an unbelievable front five. I remember a Hughesy hat trick against Huddersfield just after the 73 semi. Billy had all the ingredients that we so desperately need to day-pace, power and goal scoring ability.