Everybody at Dundee Soccer Membership are saddened to be taught of the demise of former participant Patrizio Billio who handed away at simply 48 years of age after struggling a coronary heart assault while taking part in padel (a Mexican racket sport) with pals. Midfielder Pat joined Dundee in 1999 and would go on to make 30 appearances over the following two seasons and was concerned in some well-known victories over the likes of Rangers and Dundee United to earn a spot within the hearts of Dees.
Born in Treverso, Italy in 1974, Pat gained a Sports activities Administration Diploma from the Catholic College of Milan and began his soccer profession at A.,C. Milan, coming by the youth ranks, earlier than being promoted to the senior squad in 1992.
Milan have been having fun with a golden interval of their historical past, successful one Champions League, one UEFA Tremendous Cup and 4 Serie A titles throughout his time on the San Siro and with a star studded line up, Pat struggling to interrupt into the primary crew. Because of this, he went out on mortgage to a number of Italian golf equipment together with Ravenna, Verona, Casareno, Ternana and Monzo earlier than lastly leaving Milan in 1998 to signal for Crystal Palace within the English Premier League.
Billio made his debut instead away at Newcastle United in January 1999 earlier than having a brief spell at St James Park himself, after which a quick return to Italy for the 1998/99 season to play for Ancona.
Pat returned to the U.Ok. in October 1999 when Jocky Scott introduced him to Dens Park and made his debut in a 1-0 house win over Hearts and the next week the Darkish Blues repeated that scoreline with an gratifying victory in Perth.
After a 2-1 win over Rangers at Ibrox on the finish of November, the combative, silky midfielder had his brief time period contract prolonged into a 3 yr deal after a sequence of spectacular shows.
In the direction of the top of the season, Billio grew to become a key participant within the facet after getting back from harm and put in spectacular shows in a 4-1 win over Motherwell, the place he scored his first aim for the membership, a 2-2 draw at Celtic Park, a 1-0 win at Pittodrie and most tellingly in a 3-0 win over Dundee United at Dens – the Dee’s first house derby victory in eleven years.
Alongside Steven Boyack and Javier Artero, Pat helped dominate the United midfield on a day to recollect – regardless of lacking a primary half penalty. With Boyack spraying the passes and Artero terrorising on the wing, Billio’s grit and dedication helped drive The Dee in the direction of their finest house victory over The Arabs because the 1961/62 title successful season.
In the summertime of 2000 Jocky Scott was changed by fellow Italian Ivano Bonetti and after beginning the season effectively, scoring a cracking aim within the glorious 2-0 opening day win at Motherwell, fell out of favour by the top of the September after a slew of recent signings got here in.
Alongside Marco Di Marchi, Pat was made to coach both alone or with the youth crew by Bonetti and after being allegedly attacked outdoors of Dens, utilized to FIFA to have him launched from his Darkish Blue contract. They present in his favour after which joined fellow Scottish Premiership facet Aberdeen on a free switch in August 2002.
It was a tragic finish to Dundee profession for a participant who was fashionable with the Dundee assist and who would have most popular his variations with the supervisor have been resolved with him staying at Dens.
After leaving Aberdeen in December 2002, he returned to Italy to signal for Livorno in Serie B earlier than happening to play for Sora, Professional Sesto, Massese and Colligiana within the Italian decrease leagues.
Following his retirement in 2010, Billio joined the LOYAC A.C. Milan Soccer Faculty in Kuwait because the technical director and head coach and remained there till his demise. He was extremely considered by the Rossoneri who wrote on their Instagram that “Over the previous 10 years, Mr. Billio has carried out a outstanding job in elevating the coaching requirements on the AC Milan Academy in Kuwait.
Billio was a beautiful footballer and in Dundee he might be remembered very fondly. The ideas of everybody on the Kilmac Stadium are with Pat’s family and friends at this extraordinarily unhappy time.
