Billy Ashcroft was born less than 100 yards away from South Liverpool's football ground. At school he never took football seriously until towards the end of his time there, but in less than a year had signed for Blackpool as an associate schoolboy. However, he left Bloomfield Road because of the travelling and his wish to concentrate on his studies.

Although he had trials with both Everton and Tranmere, both of which came to nothing, it was only after switching from playing wing-half to centre forward that he came to Wrexham's attention. He made an immediate impact and signed for the 'Red Dragons' straight from school in 1968, eventually signing professional terms for the club on his eighteenth birthday in 1970. It was two days later that he made his Football League debut, before establishing himself in the team and as a firm favourite with the crowd.

He shared in what was arguably the club's most successful period in the 1970's scoring 96 goals in the process before his ex manager John Neal, now at Middlesborough, returned to the Racecourse to sign his 'star pupil' for £120,000. He then went on to play in Holland with Twente Enschede before returning to these shores to play for Tranmere Rovers.

Once he retired from football, Billy moved into the licensing trade, running a pub.