Everton Hill Dickinson
A decade before Wayne Rooney emerged as Everton’s most celebrated academy graduate, another promising talent, Billy Kenny, was making waves at Goodison Park. Dubbed ‘The Goodison Gazza’ by teammate Peter Beardsley for his football prowess, Kenny’s career was cut short due to personal struggles. Despite showing immense potential, his tenure at Everton was limited to just 22 first-team appearances and a single goal.
In an interview with Joe Thomas ahead of the stage play “Whatever Happened to Billy Kenny” at the Royal Court Theatre in 2023, Kenny candidly discussed the turning point in his life—the death of his mother. This tragic event prompted him to reassess his life choices and embark on a path to recovery.
Billy Kenny said: “That is what changed my life – when we buried my ma. The worst bit for me was putting me ma and dad through it because I was off my face. Right now, when I think about what I put my ma and dad through. I was selfish as f*** on the drink and the drugs. That’s my biggest regret, and it doesn’t go away – what I done to my ma and dad. My dad loves footy, he is a footy fella. He couldn’t go out the house for years because he felt ashamed and kept getting asked about me everywhere he went: ‘Is Billy ok?’ It killed him.”
Billy Kenny continued: “It must have been my mother giving me the strength because I couldn’t do it alone. I couldn’t tell you, sitting here, how I have done it. I have my bad days as well, where I have got to work hard to keep sane and sober but life for me at the minute is great. I’m sober and it’s great. I am aware of where I went wrong when I was younger now and there is a lot that was just not me. Playing football to me was just fun, and then it got a bit serious and turned into a job. At the end of the day, I lost my job, and it dominated my life for 25 years. I was Everton’s guiding light through the ‘90s and then I suffered with that for years. When my ma died it put everything into perspective. I said to my dad: ‘I will make you proud one day again.’ And now he is buzzing with the play, and he is proud of me again, so I am absolutely buzzing. I’ve had a second crack at life… I played for Everton, and no-one can take that away from me. I enjoyed it. Now this is another part of my life where I’m starting to have a bit of fun about it.”
Kenny’s story is one of redemption and resilience. His candid reflections highlight the personal battles that overshadowed his promising football career. The stage play serves as a testament to his journey and newfound perspective, offering audiences a glimpse into the highs and lows of his life. As Kenny embraces his second chance at life, he remains committed to staying sober and making his family proud.
For those seeking support for alcohol and drug issues, resources are available through the NHS website.
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