Arriving at Newcastle for £11,500, Bill Foulkes’s first season would amply justify that substantial investment. He had no sooner signed than he made his debut for Wales v England and scored with his first kick of the game. By March, he had won three more caps. And then, the following month, he was at Wembley, helping Newcastle to win the FA Cup, having been ever-present in their run. Described by Newcastle historian, Paul Joannou, as

“a compact, strong and stocky forward who had a stinging shot,”

Bill could operate either on the wing or at inside-forward. But two summers later, Newcastle were willing to sell him – by now an 11-cap international – to Third South Southampton for £5,000 (along with Tommy Mulgrew, valued at £7,000). For his part, Bill was not keen on the idea, but some clever persuasion – which included inviting Mrs Foulkes down to sample the splendours of the shopping in Southampton – sealed the deal. Perhaps Newcastle knew what they were doing, however, for while Mulgrew settled in admirably at inside-forward, Foulkes failed to prove a great improvement, at outside-right, on John Flood, the local lad who had been in possession. What’s more, there appeared to be an explanation – that he was carrying a back injury that had not been revealed when he signed.

Southampton demanded a partial refund and when Newcastle resisted their claim, the case ended up before the FA. While deliberations continued, Bill played Cheshire League football with Winsford. When the FA found for Newcastle, Southampton cut their losses and sold him to Chester for less than £1,000. He went on to play another five seasons for them, suggesting that Southampton may have gone too hastily to court. But the return to Chester suited Bill who, after retiring from League football in 1961, went back to the Cheshire League for the occasional game with Hyde United, while running a milk-bar in Chester.