Playing career Billy Elliott, a left winger, began his career with
Bradford Park Avenue, joining as an amateur in 1939 and turning professional in March 1942. He scored 21 times in 176 league games for Bradford before a £23,000 move to
Burnley in August 1951. He made his debut for England on 18 May 1952 in a 1–1 draw with
Italy in
Florence, also playing in the 3–2 win against
Austria in Vienna a week later. The following season, he played the games against
Northern Ireland,
Wales and
Belgium. In June 1953, after fourteen goals in 74 league games for Burnley, Elliott moved to
Sunderland in June 1953, costing £26,000. He played 212 games and scored 26 goals, in a six-year spell at the club, leaving in July 1959 to join
Wisbech Town.
Coaching and managerial career Elliott was manager of the
Libya national side between October 1961 and 1963 when he returned to the UK and scouted for
Sheffield Wednesday. In 1964 he moved to Germany to coach the US Forces teams, a post he held until July 1966 when he was appointed manager of Belgian side
Daring FC. On leaving Daring in January 1968 he returned to Sunderland, as coach. Elliott was
caretaker manager of Sunderland for four games in 1972 after the sacking of
Alan Brown, remaining on the coaching staff under new manager
Bob Stokoe until June 1973, leaving after Sunderland had won the
FA Cup. He coached Norwegian side
Brann between 1974 and 1978 and in December 1978 returned to Sunderland as manager. He remained in charge until the end of the season, almost guiding Sunderland to promotion. The board decided that they wanted a younger man in charge, however, and sacked Elliott in favour of coach
Ken Knighton. In June 1979 he took over as manager of
Darlington, where he remained until June 1983. He died on 21 January 2008, aged 82. == Honours ==