The NSWRL was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of True Blue and former Balmain Tiger, Billy Bischoff Jr.
Bischoff hailed from a Rugby League family, with his father, Billy ‘Bok’ Bischoff, playing for the Tigers from 1937-40 including being part of the 1939 premiership-winning team.
Bischoff Jr made his first grade debut for Balmain in 1957 and the following season started at five-eighth for the club’s Preliminary Final loss to St George Dragons.
He would go on to play 151 games for the Tigers from 1957-65 with the club regularly contesting finals series during his time there. He was selected to play for NSW in 1961 after replacing John Kelly at centre with Queensland just hanging on for a 20-17 win.
In 1964 he started at halfback in the Grand Final against the indomitable St George team, with the Tigers taking a shock half-time lead before the Dragons fought back to win 11-6.
He left Balmain at the end of 1965 and the following season joined West Tamworth as captain-coach in the NSW country competition. He also represented the NSW Country team in 1967-68 before hanging up the boots at the end of 1968.
“The Bischoff family name is a famous Balmain Tigers name with Billy having played over 150 games for the club in the 1950s and 1960s, during which time he played in Grand Finals and also played for NSW,” NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden said.
“His father, before him, was a premiership winner with the Tigers.
“Following his time with the Tigers, Billy made a huge impact on Rugby League in regional NSW where he was captain-coach of West Tamworth and captain of NSW Country.
“Beyond his football achievements, he is remembered by everyone in the game as a gentleman, and the game will be poorer for his passing.”
The NSWRL passes on its sincere condolences to Bischoff’s family, friends and teammates.
