RIP Billy Picken and Con Britt

[Maggie Greg]

Link ---> Rip

Billy took the mark of the day in his first game against Carlton in 1974.

In mid 75 he was dropped to the Reserves so Ron Richards put him at CHB for 4 games where he dominated. He came back in v Richmond and tore Royce Hart a new one at CHB and a new star was born. He was best finals player in 1975 playing with strained shoulder ligaments.

 

[Occidental]

Collingwood mourns the passing of Billy Picken and Con Britt

The Collingwood Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former players Billy Picken and Con Britt.

www.collingwoodfc.com.au

Too upset to comment.
Two champions of our club.

 

[Dynamics]

What on earth?

 

[Mark W]

I only have vague memories of Con Britt, IIRC a tough half forward flanker..

Billy has to be Collingwood greatest finals player, at least in my lifetime. Not a great kick, but a one on one beast, a wonderful reader of the play, a spectacular mark And unfailingly heroic in big games

 

[slugger01]

RIP Billy.
He was my favourite player at the time.

 

[raymond35]

Bugger.
Billy was magnificent. Always performed on the big stage.

 

[TheGreatGrundy]

Billy was certainly one of my all time favourites - Con Britt perhaps not so much, but his career was cut short by injury. I was surprised to read that Picken debuted in 1974, because I thought I recalled him playing through my childhood. He was in fact 3 years younger than me so his death at age 66 is premature and tragic. RIP to both of them.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Con Britt was a bit before my time but for some strange reason I always remember his number…… 27.

Billy was my favourite player by a mile. So sad to lose them. Though he never won a flag I shouted the house down in the Dogs premiership few years back when Liam was a premiership hero

 

[PonsfordMagpie]

Very sad to read this.

Both great players who won’t be forgotten by supporters.

RIP.

 

[CasuallyDressed]

Wow.

RIP.

 

[Maggie Greg]

I only have vague memories of Con Britt, IIRC a tough half forward flanker..

Billy has to be Collingwood greatest finals player, at least in my lifetime. Not a great kick, but a one on one beast, a wonderful reader of the play, a spectacular mark And unfailingly heroic in big games

Britt was a HFF and second rover in 1970 but by 1972 he became a back pocket. He did his knee against Carlton at Princes Park in 1973 and never came back.

He gave John Newman the bump in the first quarter of the 1967 First Semi v Geelong which resulted in Newman losing his kidney.

 

[Go Woods]

RIP Billy Picken & Con Britt
Billy was a great CHB from memory.

 

[legendstatus]

This is sad, in my time one of the greatest players of the game.

Along with Barham, my favorite and one of the reasons I followed the Pies

R.I.P legend.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Hodgey 15]

Sorry to hear guys.
As much a great character as he was a.great footballer.

On SM-G950F using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Vicky Park]

Loved Billy. One of the biggest personalities at Victoria Park in the 1970s. We were a colourful club in those years and Billy shone.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

This is sad, in my time one of the greatest players of the game.

Along with Barham, my favorite and one of the reasons I followed the Pies

R.I.P legend.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

Was about to say the same. Billy and Ricky. Heroes for us teenagers in the 70s

 

[The Phantom]

God can hear it now: Here comes Billeeee!

Sad day.
The lack of how he passed suggests it may be sadder still.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

I remember the game at Vic Park v the Swans when Billy ran out for them. (How so many of our legends of that era ended up at other clubs is a disgrace, but that’s another story).

Not a single person in the crowd bothered to boo him that day. Too much respect for that….

 

[PonsfordMagpie]

 

[Matrix10]

R I P Billy and Con. my days as a young Pies supporter watching Billy flying for his one grab marks , was a thing of rare beauty and poetry in motion. Forever etched in my memory and mind. Deepest condolences and prayers to the Picken and Britt family and friends. You were a character Bill that left an indelible mark on a lot of us

 

[No SPIN]

Can’t bring myself to watch those highlights I’m so saddened by the news. It’s hard to lose a hero.

RIP Billy and Con

 

[TW Sherrin]

Everytime I see 25 for any team it reminds me of Billy. His marking was incredible and not many then or since have been as good. He was unbelievable.

Rip.


Ps Con was fraction before my time. Rip.

 

[raymond35]

I remember the game at Vic Park v the Swans when Billy ran out for them. (How so many of our legends of that era ended up at other clubs is a disgrace, but that’s another story).

Not a single person in the crowd bothered to boo him that day. Too much respect for that….

Don't forget when he came back though, and goaled on the run to the Sherrin stand end.
Place erupted.

 

[peter9789]

The word star is used to liberally - but in Billy’s case he was a bona fide star. A big game performer. Played in 5 heart breaking grand final losses during the 70’s.

Rest easy Billy, you legend.


On iPad using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Doc1763]

Gutted, I have no words at this time.

Had Billy's number on by duffle coat, he signed the number.

I am in shock.