Northern NSW Football is saddened by the passing today of former Socceroo, Bill Mahoney at the age of 90.
Bill made his first grade debut at the age of just 18 for the Wallsend “Red Devils” in 1948. Within a year, played for NSW against the touring Yugoslavia national team.
At 19 Bill was included in the Australian squad to tour South Africa in 1950 as back-up goalkeeper to Norman Conquest. He enjoyed a representative career that extended over eight years and included 14 appearances for Australia, eight games for NSW, and seven matches for Northern NSW against touring international sides. Bill’s international appearance came against South Africa in Adelaide in September 1955. Bill was inducted into the Hunter Region Sporting Hall of Fame in 2007.
Bill played locally with notables such as Alf Quill and the legendary Reg Date. In addition to the mighty Wallsend, Bill played for Adamstown Rosebud and Weston before finishing out his senior career at Dudley.
Bill also contributed off the pitch as a director of Northern NSW Soccer Federation from 1973 to 1981 and again from 1987 to 1991.
Northern NSW Football’s National Premier Leagues “Goalkeeper of the Year” is presented in Bill’s name to honour his achievements and will continue to be awarded annually. Nate Archbold from Charlestown Azzurri was the recipient of the Bill Mahoney Goal Keeper of the Year in 2019 and 2020.
Northern NSW Football’s extends sincere condolences on behalf of the football community to Bill’s family at this difficult time.
