Billy joined the Hunslet Hawks in 1907. Billy was a member of Hunslet’s 1908 Championship victory & Challenge Cup victory. Billy played 169 games for Hunslet over 6 seasons (96 tries, 65 goals). In 1913, Billy joined Hull FC for a world-record transfer fee. Billy was a member of Hull’s 1920 & 1921 Championship final victories and 1922-23 Challenge Cup victories. Billy played 226 games for Hull FC over 7 seasons (89 tries, 1 goal). In 1924, Billy joined Wakefield-Trinity. Billy played 79 games for Wakefield-Trinity over two seasons (6 tries, 2 goals). In 1927, Billy joined the Castleford Tigers in their inaugural season. Billy played 8 games for Castleford (1 try).
Billy played 19 matches for York from 1908-26 (7 tires, 3 goals). Billy played 10 test matches for Great Britain from 1908-21 (3 tries). Billy played 15 test matches for England from 1908-263(3 tries, 1 goal).
Billy passed away on January 26 1959.
In 1988, Billy was an inaugural inductee into the British Hall of Fame. Billy is also a member of Hull F.C.’s and Wakefield Trinity’s Hall of Fame.