Vale #25 Billy Picken (1956-2022)

[RudeBoy]

I remember running into Billy at the old fish n chip shop (now gone) on Johnston St, near the Vic Park railway station, back in 1976 or 77. He had just finished training and was fuelling up on fish n chips and a couple of dimmies. We chatted briefly and he was incredibly friendly and down to earth. Footy was a lot more genuine and real back then. RIP Billy.

[Jezza]

Billy Picken = 240 games, 46 goals

*Collingwood (1974-1983; 1986) = 212 games, 46 goals
Sydney (1984-1985) = 28 games, 0 goals

*2x Copeland Trophy Winner = 1978 and 1983.

* A member of Collingwood's Team of the Century.

* Was a part of the 1977, 1979, 1980 and 1981 Grand Final teams.

* 30th for most games played at the club.

----------------------

Con Britt = 110 games, 72 goals (1966-1973)

* A member of Collingwood's 1970 Grand Final team.

* Kicked all 72 goals between 1967 and 1971.

* Retired at the age of 26 after a career ending knee injury.

[billy_picken25]

Billy Picken was a great leap for a mark, competitive and a great finals player.
RIP Billy

[think positive]

oh no, how heartbreaking, oh Billy ... RIP
bugger

[i hate carlton]

Always loved watching him play as a kid. Farewell Billy!

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/collingwood-mourning-the-death-of-club-great-billy-picken-20220723-p5b3zt.html

[PyreneesPie]

What incredibly sad news 😔 😢
Had a poster of Billy's 1976 VFL Mark of the Year on my bedroom wall for years. My favourite player of his generation. I simply idolized him, as did so many.
Feeling very sad for Liam and family too.

[Magpietothemax]

To both Billy Picken and Con Britt, too young to leave. But thankyou to both of you for playing out your heart for Collingwood FC, and the brilliance you brought to our team effort.

[stui magpie]

Bugger

I don't remember Con, but Billy was one of my favorites.

[robevpau1]

'Bustling' Billy's Biography - worth a read.

https://forever.collingwoodfc.com.au/players/bill-picken/

[Pies4shaw]

Some old footage of Con Britt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUWYFUYn9pc

He was an important member of the best Collingwood side I ever saw, albeit one that didn't win a flag.

Con is fondly remembered. Sadly, for many players in those days, the knee injury was career-ending.

And here comes Billy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SU4RrbXWRL8

[Boot]

RIP Billy Picken & Con Britt.😢
Billy Picken was a champion player who tragically never got a premiership medal but played some of his best games in finals.
Con Britt was less famous than Billy, but played a similar style to Beau Mcreey. Another magpie hero who played in the infamous 1970 grand final.

[Cam]

My first jumper had Billy's 25 😢

[Damien]

A true Magpie Legend and I reckon the first guy I can remember being my favourite player. Only Billy could take the most exquisite hanger and then kick the most mongrel torpedo punt that never spun properly. RIP champion.

[watt price tully]

Fond memories at school of Billy: HSC 1974. In the library periods at school he used to call imaginary (horse) races. They were funny and he was really d good at it.

Melbourne High School had lots of kids from the country doing their final years of school (good way for clubs to get country kids down as through an arrangement with the school the kids would get a so called good education making it attractive for parents to agree). Lots of VFL as it was known then 1st, 2nd and 3rd kids and some from the VFA.

Billy was friendly and likeable.

[mudlark]

Terribly sad day for the Picken and Britt families and the Collingwood Football Club Family. Terry Waters was by childhood hero and then along came Billy Picken. He was the one I drove 2 1/2 hrs to Vic Park from the Latrobe Valley to see. He was an absolute legend. Con Britt was a very good player and had his very good career cut short by knee injuries. RIP both you Collingwood legends. I trust the boys will do for them today.