Billy Collings - Queen of The South

Queen of The South

Billy Collings was signed by Queen of the South manager George Farm when the Dumfries club were in Scotland's top division. Collings was paid a retainer of £5 per week for remaining with Cambuslang ahead of joining Queens in the close season to start his career as a full time footballer. Things worked out differently. Farm was sacked as manager in January and Queens were relegated at the season's end. Collings was facing the part time Second Division football of which he had had enough of when he was at Berwick. Before the new season's start Collings approached club official Jimmy McKinnell Junior to request a free transfer - the request was rejected.

Now aged 24, Billy Collings made his debut for Queens on 8 August 1964 against Montrose in the Scottish League Cup. Collings netted a debut goal in the 2-0 home victory.

Collings was an attacking midfielder of the old school – one who was as happy exchanging lumps with opposing defenders as sticking the ball in the net. He earned £8 a week when he broke into the Queens first team.

In Queens first 2 seasons after Billy Collings' breakthrough (1964/65 and 1965/66) they missed out on promotion back to Scotland's top flight by one place by finishing third. Queens again finished third in Collings' last season at the club (1969/70). Over six seasons Collings scored 31 goals in his 247 appearance for Queens excluding friendlies.

Billy Collings' last game for Queens was in the 2-0 away win against East Fife on 25 April 1970.

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