FULHAM icon Viv Busby has passed away at the age of 74.
The former striker played 143 times for the Cottagers during a glittering career, scoring 37 goals in the process.
And he shared the spotlight with World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore in Fulham’s 1975 FA Cup final defeat to West Ham.
The Cottagers revealed the sad news on Wednesday afternoon as they paid tribute to one of their greats, who previously battled leukaemia for six months in 2001.
A statement read: “The Club is saddened to learn of the death of former player Viv Busby.
“Signed by Alec Stock ahead of the 1973/74 season, it was the following campaign that fans will best remember Busby’s exploits for Fulham, playing a key role in our run to the FA Cup Final.
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“Busby started all 12 of our FA Cup fixtures that year and scored six goals, including his famous brace at Goodison Park to defeat Everton – Division One leaders at the time – in the Fifth Round.
“He departed the Club early in 1976/77, with a record of 37 goals in 143 appearances.
“That was not the last we saw of Busby at the Cottage, though, as he returned as a coach under Paul Bracewell in 1999.
“Busby is also a Forever Fulham recipient, having been inducted in October 2022.
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“Everyone at the Club would like to offer our condolences to Viv’s wife Barbara, and all his family and friends at this sad time.”
Fulham fans quickly paid tribute to one of their own.
A supporter said: “Rip to a great legend.”
Another declared: “That’s really such sad news, nearly made it into one of Revie’s England squad, I absolutely loved watching him.”
One noted: “Sad news, best wishes to Viv’s family.”
Another added: “RIP Viv, he was always enjoyable to watch.”
Busby started his pro career with Wycombe Wanderers in 1966 and scored 19 goals in 50 games during a four-year spell.
He then moved to Luton Town for three years, netting 16 goals in 77 games to help the Hatters earn promotion in 1970 to the Second Division.
After a brief loan at Newcastle, Busby ended up at Fulham and quickly became a fan favourite.
He scored 37 goals in 143 appearances and played a key role in the Cottagers’ run to the 1975 FA Cup final, where they lost 2-0 to West Ham.
Busby played alongside England legend and World Cup-winning captain Moore, as well as former Three Lions defender Alan Mullery.
After leaving Fulham in 1976, Busby spent time at Norwich, Stoke and Sheffield United.
He then had a brief spell in the USA with the Tulsa Roughnecks between 1980 and 1981 before returning to England.
Busby played for Blackburn Rovers before ending his career at York City in 1983.
He remained at the club as a coach until 1987 and went on to become Hartlepool boss in 1993.
Busby lasted nine months in the job before returning to coaching.
But he was struck down with leukaemia in 2001 while working as a youth coach with Swindon Town, forcing him to take six months out to recover.
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Busby later made a return to York in 2004 as assistant boss and even briefly took over as caretaker before leaving soon after.
He also worked at Gretna and Workington before moving to Spain in 2011.
Viv Busby’s career stats
Player career:
- Wycombe Wanderers, 1966-1970: 50 games, 19 goals
- Luton Town, 1969-1973: 86 games, 16 goals
- Newcastle (loan), 1971-1972: 5 games, 2 goals
- Fulham, 1973-1976: 143 games, 37 goals
- Norwich, 1976-1977: 26 games, 11 goals
- Stoke, 1977-1980: 60 games, 12 goals
- Sheffield Utd (loan), 1979-1980: 3 games, 1 goal
- Tulsa Roughnecks, 1980: 19 games, 1 goal
- Blackburn Rovers, 1980-1981: 8 games, 1 goal
- York City, 1982-1984: 21 games, 4 goals
Managerial career
- Hartlepool United, Feb-Nov 1993: P40 W9 D9 L22
- York City (caretaker), 2004-2005: P14 W4 D2 L8
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
