At the age of 16, Bill Albury made his debut for Portsmouth, then the reigning champions of England, an impressive start for a player who would later experience the full spectrum of the Football League. The English footballer, full name William Frederick Albury, passed away on May 22, 2026, at the age of 92. Introduction Bill Albury was an English professional footballer from Portsmouth who played as a wing half, a position in the 1950s that required both defensive discipline and creative ability. His name remained especially associated with his exceptionally early debut for Portsmouth in September 1950, when he was just 16 years old. This breakthrough occurred at a time when Portsmouth was still regarded as one of England’s leading clubs. Sporting Career Albury was a player from post-war English football, an era in which clubs and supporters together reshaped the sport’s culture. In that landscape, he began his professional career remarkably young. Debuting for Portsmouth at 16 was exceptional at the time, especially for a club that had recently become league champions twice in a row and was still competing in the First Division. He played as a wing half, a role from the classic WM system. This position was somewhere between midfielder and defender: requiring a lot of running, duel strength, awareness, and the ability to support attacks. That Albury scored 12 goals in 61 Football League matches underscores that he contributed more than just defensive work. For a player in that position, this was a solid and even notably productive tally. His career spanned from the highest level of English club football to the lower regions of the Football League. This makes his career typical of many professionals from the 1950s—players who quietly continued their craft where their skills were needed. After his time at Portsmouth, Albury played for Gillingham between 1958 and 1960, a club then competing in the Fourth Division and working to re-establish itself in professional football. At Gillingham, he extended his career as an experienced player. While Portsmouth still carried the shine of a top club, Gillingham represented the everyday struggle of a smaller club in the Football League. That transition speaks to Albury as a footballer: not only a talented debutant but also someone who adapted and continued to fulfill his role in a changing environment. Date of birth: August 10, 1933 Place of birth: Portsmouth, England Position: wing half Debut for Portsmouth: September 1950, at 16 years old Football League club: Portsmouth Football League club: Gillingham, 1958-1960 Total Football League matches: 61 Total Football League goals: 12 Although he did not accumulate major trophies or have an international career, Albury’s career tells something essential about his generation. He was among the professionals who kept English football running during a period when the sport was less commercialized but no less important to the public. His story is that of the quiet craftsman, shaped by club culture, system discipline, and match rhythm. Private Life Bill Albury was born on August 10, 1933, in Portsmouth, England. Little is publicly known about his private life. It is certain that he was English and that he came from the city where his professional career began. Passing Bill Albury passed away on May 22, 2026, at the age of 92. The place of death has not been disclosed. No information about the cause of death is publicly available. Public reactions from clubs, associations, former teammates, or rivals have not been confirmed in the available verified information. It is, however, certain that with Albury, a former professional from post-war English football has died—someone who represented both Portsmouth and Gillingham in the Football League. Conclusion Bill Albury was not among the most loudly celebrated names in English football history, but his career demonstrates how broad and rich that history is. From a teenage debut at a championship club to years as a reliable professional in the Football League, he embodied the craftsmanship of his era. On Overleden.net, you can find more notable deceased individuals from football. This article was created with the support of AI tools and verified by the Overleden.net editorial team. Unfortunately, I cannot write a section "Significance for the Netherlands" about Bill Albury, because there is no confirmed information in the article indicating that he had a specific significance for Dutch culture or society. Bill Albury was an English footballer whose career was entirely in England (Portsmouth and Gillingham). No concrete facts are mentioned regarding: – Activities in the Netherlands – Influence on Dutch football or culture – Connections with Dutch clubs, athletes, or societal institutions – Publications, performances, or other contributions to Dutch cultural life According to the guidelines, I may only use verified facts and should not add speculation. For an article on Overleden.net, a "Significance for the Netherlands" section would only be meaningful if there were actual Dutch connections. **Suggestion:** Verify whether Bill Albury truly has Dutch relevance, or replace this section with, for example, "Significance for English football" or "Legacy of his generation," for which sufficient source material is available.