As he left home in Katesbridge with good wishes from wife Brenda he was met by members of the Whirline West Down Wheelers who escorted him to the start.

As he started at number one with timekeeper Derek Gamble counting down Alan Lilley pushed him on his way.Going into the turn in fine style he was cheered on by stewards Bertie Wilkinson and Mervyn Maxwell. All eyes were now on the final five miles up to the finish where everyone was waiting to see Billy come home.

He did this in a respectable time of 27.41.Billy will be remembered as a legend and he was escorted home by Stephen and Aaron Baines to make the night even more memorable.

Billy started racing in 1962, finishing at the age of 64 and in his first race at the age of 19 he did 26.09 on the Dromore Road.

His fastest 10 was a 23.11 in 1976. In 1970 his fastest 25 was 60.08, just seconds away from being under the magic hour mark. He completed the 20 in 48.34 and did a 50 in 2:08:34. On top of all this Billy won the NI 100 Miles Time Trial Championship in 1970 with 4:38:51 and won all 17 time trials in 1976.

The final 10 of the season on the Rathfriland Road was a super night for all the 14 riders. The fastest man was Davy McKnightl, victorious with a super ride of 22.54 - the only man this season to beat the club’s Paul Wilkinson, who had to settle for second with 23.00.

Third was Will Maxwell, only 19 seconds down on the winner Aaron Baines with 23.21.

Ronnie Smyth finished fifth with 24.04 and completing the top six was Paul McMannus with another cracking time of 24.41.

John Kernaghan added another trophy when he won the handicap and the Magowan Shield. He won the Poppy McKeown Memorial Cup the previous week.

Other worthy times were Clive Adamson, Richard Allen, N Doyle and Peter Lilley.

The hillclimb will take place on Tuesday September 9 at Tanaghmore Road which can be found by turning right at Seapatrick.Up for grabs is the Ernie Hall Trophy and there will be a prize for the best visitor. Start time is 6.45pm.