Patrizio Billio

[needs update]

Patrizio Billio
Personal information
Date of birth (1974-04-19)19 April 1974
Place of birth Treviso, Italy
Date of death 23 January 2023(2023-01-23) (aged 48)
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1990–1992 Milan
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1992–1998 Milan 0 (0)
1993–1994 → Ravenna (loan) 17 (1)
1994–1995 → Verona (loan) 20 (1)
1995–1996 → Casarano (loan) 25 (0)
1996–1997 → Ternana (loan) 8 (0)
1997–1998 → Monza (loan) 0 (0)
1998 Crystal Palace 4 (0)
1998–1999 Ancona 11 (0)
1999–2002 Dundee 28 (2)
2002 Aberdeen 10 (1)
2003 Livorno 4 (0)
2003–2004 Sora 30 (2)
2005–2006 Pro Sesto 34 (1)
2006–2008 Massese 44 (0)
2008–2009 Pro Sesto 0 (0)
2009–2010 Colligiana 34 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Patrizio Billio (19 April 1974 – 23 January 2023) was an Italian footballer who played as a midfielder.[1]

Biography

Billio was born in Treviso, Italy on 19 April 1974.[1] He had a degree in Sports Management from the Catholic University of Milan.[2]

Career

Billio started his professional career at A.C. Milan, playing with the youth academy before being promoted to the senior squad. He then played for Ravenna, Verona (both Serie B), Casarano (Serie C1), Ternana (Serie C2), Ancona.[1][2]

In January 1998, he joined Crystal Palace in the Premier League,[1] making his debut as a substitute in a win against Newcastle United at St James' Park.[3] Billio then played for Ancona for a short period of time before signing with Dundee in October 1999.[2] After excellent performances, the club renewed for three more seasons.[2] Not long after, however, he and fellow Italian player Marco De Marchi had major conflicts with the new management, most notably manager Ivano Bonetti.[2] They were removed unfairly from the first team and within a few months were required to practice alone or with the youth team.[4] In January 2002, Billio alleged that he was headbutted by a man with a skinhead haircut outside of Dens Park and that his car was stolen from his home.[5] There was speculation about whether Dundee executive Paul Marr had been involved in the attack, but he was later acquitted in court.[6][7] FIFA decided to release him from his contract shortly thereafter and was signed by Aberdeen on a free transfer in August 2002.[8][9] He scored his first goal for the club in a 3–1 win over Dunfermline.[10] He decided to leave Aberdeen in December 2002,[11] and he signed for Livorno of Serie B.[1]

He then played for Sora (Serie C1, 2003–04, 2004-5 January), Pro Sesto (January 2005 – 2006, Serie C1 &C2) and Massese (Serie C1). He returned to Pro Sesto in 2008 Serie C1 and successively returned to Tuscany in January 2009 to join Lega Pro Seconda Divisione club Colligiana, where he finished his career.[1][12]

Retirement

Following his retirement in 2011, Billio joined the LOYAC AC Milan Soccer School in Kuwait as the technical director and head coach.[13][2][14] He had expressed interest in opening an AC Milan Soccer School arm in Dundee.[2]

Death

Billio died from a heart attack on 23 January 2023, at the age of 48.[15]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Scheda di Patrizio Billio" (in Italian). AIC. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Ex Dundee Interview: Patrizio Billio". The Dark Blues. 29 March 2018. Archived from the original on 19 July 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  3. ^ "Football: Inspired Palace pour more misery on Newcastle". Independent. 19 March 1998. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  4. ^ "Billio dons smiling habit again". The Scotsman. 8 September 2002. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  5. ^ "Fan Attack On Dundee Player". Chronicle Live. 10 January 2002. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  6. ^ "Player assault leads to charge". BBC. 30 January 2002. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  7. ^ "Dundee FC director cleared over attack Judge dismisses 'unreliable' evidence in case over an alleged head-butt assault on football club's Italian player". The Herald Scotland. 27 June 2002. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  8. ^ "Dons move for Billio". BBC. 31 August 2002. Retrieved 6 February 2008.
  9. ^ Livie, Alex (n.d.). "Happy Billio looking for new Dons deal". Sky Sports. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  10. ^ "Dons dump Dunfermline". BBC. 28 September 2002. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  11. ^ "Dons eye new striker". BBC. 23 December 2002. Retrieved 6 February 2008.
  12. ^ Lombardini, Emanuele (11 May 2019). "Meteore rossoverdi- Patrizio Billio, da "Lord Brummel" delle Fere al calcio nel Golfo" (in Italian). Calcio Fere. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  13. ^ "LOYAC AC Milan Soccer School 3 Months Girls -Siblings". DawRat. n.d. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  14. ^ "Kuwait- LoYAC's AC Milan Academy Opens Season With Young Players". Mena FN. 21 September 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  15. ^ Attacco cardiaco, è morto l’ex calciatore Patrizio Billio (in Italian)