Billy Manuel

William Albert James "Billy" Manuel (born 28 June 1969) is an English retired professional football left back and midfielder, best remembered for his time in the Football League with Brentford and Gillingham. His tenacious performances in midfield for Brentford led to the nickname 'Billy the Pit Bull'.

Gillingham

Manuel began his career in the youth systems at Division One sides Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, before dropping down to Division Three to sign for Gillingham on 10 February 1989. His addition to the squad failed to help the struggling club avoid relegation to Division Four at the end of the 1988–89 season and Manuel remained at Priestfield for two more forgettable seasons before leaving in June 1991. He made 91 appearances and scored five goals for the Gills.

Brentford

Manuel moved back up to Division Three to sign for Brentford in a £60,000 deal on 14 June 1991, to bring stability to the left back position. He made 45 appearances during the 1991–92 season and won the first silverware of his career when the Division Three title was clinched at the end of the campaign. In the newly renamed Division One, Manuel moved into the midfield and impressed enough to be voted the Brentford supporters' Player of the Year at the end of the season, though it would end in disappointment with relegation straight back to Division Two. New manager David Webb installed Manuel as captain for the 1993–94 season and moved him to left back, though he gradually fell out of favour and was released in August 1994. Manuel made 115 appearances and scored two goals during three seasons with Brentford.

Peterborough United

Manuel signed for Division Two club Peterborough United on a short-term contract on 16 September 1994. He failed to make an appearance before departing on 28 October.

Stevenage Borough (loan)

Manuel joined high-flying Conference side Stevenage Borough on loan in late September 1994. He made three appearances before leaving Broadhall Way.

Cambridge United

Manuel signed for Division Two strugglers Cambridge United on a three-month contract on 28 October 1994. He made 12 appearances before his contract expired.

Return to Peterborough United

Manuel re-signed for Peterborough United on 28 February 1995, four months after leaving the club. He made 35 appearances and scored five goals before leaving London Road for the final time on 25 January 1996.

Return to Gillingham

Manuel rejoined Gillingham, then flying high in Division Three, on 26 January 1996. He helped the Gills to promotion to Division Two with a second-place finish at the end of the 1995–96 season and made 11 appearances in 1996–97, before being released at the end of the campaign. In both his spells with Gillingham, Manuel made 118 appearances and scored five goals.

Barnet

Manuel dropped back down to Division Three to sign for Barnet prior to the beginning of the 1997–98 season. He made 38 appearances and scored one goal before being released at the end of the 1998–99 season.

Non-league football

Manuel dropped into non-league football in 1999 and signed for Southern League Division One East side Folkestone Invicta and helped the club to promotion to the Premier Division in his first season. He was released as part of a cost-cutting exercise in December 2000. He moved on to play for Horsham, Grays Athletic, Tonbridge Angels, Bromley, Windsor & Eton, Waltham Forest and Metrogas before retiring in 2005.

While a player at Folkestone Invicta, Manuel was also the club's assistant manager.

After his retirement from football, Manuel spent a period living in the United States before returning to his native Hackney to run a pub. He later worked in refurbishments.

As a player

Brentford

• Football League Division Three: 1991–92

Gillingham

• Football League Division Three runner-up: 1995–96

Folkestone Invicta

• Southern League Division One East: 1999–00

As an individual

• Brentford Supporters' Player of the Year: 1992–93