Northern Irish International Billy McAdams had made nearly 300 Football League appearances when he came to Exeter City on trial in March 1966. Not putting pen to paper on a deal with the Grecians, he signed for Barrow where finished his professional career and spent the rest of his life.

Moving from Glenavon to Burnley and back across the Irish Sea to Distillery, it was 1953 before Billy embarked on a substantial professional career with Manchester City, Bolton Wanderers, Leeds United, Brentford and Queen's Park Rangers. 

Set to leave Loftus Road at the end of the 1965/66 campaign - and with 290 league appearances, 138 league goals and fifteen internationals to his name - the 32-year-old Bily arrived in Devon in March 1966 to take part in a trial match against Torquay United.

With three or four other players in mind from the game, Grecians' manager Ellis Stuttard decided against signing Billy and the experienced centre-forward joined Barrow for the final two years of his professional career.      

Later turning out for Netherfiled, Billy died in Barrow-in-Furness on 13 October 2002.