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Billy Caskey joined Derby County from Glentoran in September 1978, the
twenty-four year old centre forward arriving at the Baseball Ground in a
joint small fee deal with fellow Irishman Vic Moreland. Both players
had spent the summer months on loan with Tulsa Roughnecks in the North
American Soccer League, and were considered by the County boss Tommy
Docherty to be credible additions to what was an increasingly injury
prone and unsettled squad. Billy made his debut in the Rams 2-1 defeat
of Southampton on Southampton 23rd 1978 and, although he failed to find
the net in his first four appearances, impressed with his hard work
ethic.
He opened his goalscoring account in a 4-1 win against
Wolverhampton Wanderers on November 4th - his popularity with the fans
rising after further strikes during the month: in a 2-1 victory over
Queens Park Rangers and a 4-2 reversal at Norwich City. Unfortunately,
Docherty's further reshuffling had disastorous consequences, County
gained just three more victories over the remainder of the season and
although relagation was avoided it was form which resulted in the
manager's resignation in May 1979. Colin Addison was installed as the
Rams new boss and Billy started the 1979/80 campaign as the club's first
choice number nine. However, as the side struggled for goals, he was
substituted in each of the opening three games. Just one more first team
appearance followed and Caskey returned to Tulsa in December 1979.
In
all competitions he played 30 times for the Rams, including two games
from the substitutes bench. He netted three goals and won six of his
seven full Northern Ireland caps whilst at the Baseball Ground. Not a
natural marksman, Billy's strengh was his willingness to track back and
tackle opposing players. He undoubtably would have done better had the
Rams been a stronger more settled side during his stay in the East
Midlands. (Mike Cockayne)
After his football career he returned to Belfast and for a time worked for a vehicle leasing company
1974–1978 Glentoran 79 (36)
1978 Tulsa Roughnecks (loan) 27 (11)
1978–1980 Derby County 28 (3)
1980–1984 Tulsa Roughnecks 128 (22)
1979–1983 Tulsa Roughnecks (indoor) 42 (31)
1984–1985 Glentoran 24 (5)
1985 Tulsa Roughnecks (exhibition)
1985–1986 Dallas Sidekicks (indoor) 42 (26)
1986–1993 Glentoran 236 (51)
1994–1996 Dundela
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