# Billy Rafferty

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**William Henry Rafferty** (born 30 December 1950) is a Scottish retired [footballer](/source/Association_football) who played as a [forward](/source/Forward_(association_football)). He appeared in [the Football League](/source/The_Football_League) for [Coventry City](/source/Coventry_City_F.C.), [Blackpool](/source/Blackpool_F.C.), [Plymouth Argyle](/source/Plymouth_Argyle_F.C.), [Carlisle United](/source/Carlisle_United_F.C.), [Wolverhampton Wanderers](/source/Wolverhampton_Wanderers_F.C.), [Newcastle United](/source/Newcastle_United_F.C.), [Portsmouth](/source/Portsmouth_F.C.) and [AFC Bournemouth](/source/AFC_Bournemouth), scoring 145 goals in 468 matches. He finished his career in Portugal with spells at [Louletano](/source/Louletano_D.C.) and [Farense](/source/S.C._Farense).

Rafferty began his league career with [Coventry City](/source/Coventry_City) after joining them from [Port Glasgow](/source/Port_Glasgow) but found opportunities few and far between.[1] A move to [Blackpool](/source/Blackpool_F.C.) in 1972 saw him play and score more regularly before joining [Plymouth Argyle](/source/Plymouth_Argyle_F.C.) a year later.[2] With his striking partner, [Paul Mariner](/source/Paul_Mariner), he became an important player in the Argyle side that won promotion to the [Football League Second Division](/source/Football_League_Second_Division) in 1975. Their partnership contributed 47 goals to the campaign, with Rafferty scoring 26.

He then joined [Carlisle United](/source/Carlisle_United) where he continued to score regularly. He moved on to [Wolverhampton Wanderers](/source/Wolverhampton_Wanderers_F.C.) and [Newcastle United](/source/Newcastle_United_F.C.). After Newcastle he joined [Portsmouth](/source/Portsmouth_F.C.) in 1980. At Portsmouth, Rafferty once again became a key striker, winning the [Third Division](/source/Football_League_Third_Division) championship in 1983 before joining [AFC Bournemouth](/source/AFC_Bournemouth), which would be his last league club in England.[3]

## References

1. ["How Rafferty's Hat-trick Sealed His Place in Carlisle Utd's Hall of Fame"](https://archive.today/20130421002937/http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/carlisle_united/latest/how_billy_big_shot_earned_the_three_dom_of_the_city_1_607590). *News and Star*. 4 September 2009. Archived from [the original](http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/carlisle_united/latest/how_billy_big_shot_earned_the_three_dom_of_the_city_1_607590) on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2012.

1. ["Billy Rafferty"](http://www.greensonscreen.co.uk/gosdb-players2.asp?pid=680&scp=1,2,3,4,5,6,7). Greens on Screen. Retrieved 24 January 2010.

1. ["Billy Rafferty"](http://www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/player/billyrafferty.html). Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Database. Retrieved 24 January 2010.

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