Farnham Town are delighted to announce that midfielder Billy Clifford has agreed to terms over a new one-year contract with the Club, running until May 2027.
Billy was a late arrival in the Farnham squad, joining right before the registration deadline from National League South side Farnborough, but made a lasting impression.
On April 3rd, Billy scored his first goal for the Town, a goal of the season contender that proved to be the difference in a 1-0 win away at Wimborne which helped secure a second placed finish in the Southern League Premier South.
Billy played a pivotal role down the stretch for Farnham even if he was only with the Club long enough to make 10 appearances. He started the Surrey Senior Cup Final and scored his penalty in the shoot-out victory over Merstham, helping the Town win the competition for the first time ever.
His most influential moment came when he was introduced as a second half substitute in the Play-Off Final against Gloucester City and scored his first and Farnham’s second of the game just four minutes after coming on en route to playing a hand in all four goals when he was on the pitch, netting a 30-minute hat-trick and assisting another was we romped to a 5-1 victory to earn our place in the National League South.
“Keeping Billy with us is one of the most important pieces of business the Club could’ve done this summer, it’s a testament to the Club to be able to keep him” manager Paul Johnson said.
“When we brought Billy in right at the end of the season, he was obviously one we brought in with an eye on next season. He was someone we wanted to embed in the group now and then build around for 26/27.
“The way he dictates the game from the middle is special. He’s established a great rapport with the group we have here and that should only continue to flourish.
“He’s one of the leaders in the dressing room, with well over a decade of experience in the pro game. Players like him are hard to come by and when you have one, you can’t let them go. Four promotions in six years, he’s a serial winner and standard setter for us.
“And what can I say about the Play-Off Final that hasn’t already been said. The vision was for Billy to come on and take the game away from Gloucester, and he did that emphatically. A hat-trick in the biggest game of the Club’s history is special stuff.
“Off the pitch, Billy is one of the nicest and most genuine people I’ve worked with. I can’t wait to keep working with him next season.”
Chairman Harry Hugo adds: “I couldn’t be happier that Billy has decided to continue with us for another season.
“He joined us for the run-in and made an instant impact in the side. His quality was there for all to see – he was too good for the level.
“And what can you say about his impact in the Play-Off Final? The plan was for Billy to win us the game in the second half and boy did he. A 30-minute hat-trick (and assisted another) is just simply bonkers stuff in the biggest game of the season.
“That’s Bill’s fourth promotion in six years. He’s a serial winner and a standard setter in the dressing room. I believe he’s someone who makes the rest of the group up their game.
“If Billy was able to have that sort of impact in our side in just six weeks, imagine what he could do with a full pre-season under his belt with this group, working in training, acclimatizing to the club properly. Sky’s the limit. I know the fans will be chuffed with this one.”