After more than 30 years of thrilling fans and delivering unforgettable moments on the pitch, Billy Carle, affectionately known as "Dr Goals," has officially announced his retirement from playing football. A prolific striker and a legend at every level he graced, Carle leaves behind a legacy marked by incredible goal-scoring records, countless trophies, and cherished memories with teammates, friends, and family.

A Journey of Success

Billy’s love affair with football began at just nine years old when he signed with Tay Thistle. A year later, he moved to Kinnoull, where his winning mentality began to take shape. Under the guidance of his father, who managed the team from U13s to U18s, Billy and his teammates achieved extraordinary success, dominating leagues and cups.

The pinnacle of his youth career came at 16/17 when Kinnoull won the double—league and cup—in the Dundee U18s league. Sharing the pitch with best mates Mark Mitchell and Tony Holt made this triumph even more special.

Making His Mark in the Juniors

At 17, Billy joined Jeanfield Swifts Juniors and immediately made an impact, winning the Red House Cup and earning both Player of the Year and Top Goal Scorer honors. This was just the beginning of a remarkable senior career in which Billy would claim the Top Goal Scorer title an astounding 26 times over three decades.

A brief stint with Forfar West End followed, but Billy soon returned to Jeanfield, solidifying his connection with the club. In a memorable pre-season, he played for three different teams—Kinnoull, Jeanfield, and Bankfoot—scoring against Luncarty with all three in the same month.

Amateur Glory

Billy’s amateur career saw him take St John’s to unprecedented heights, winning four consecutive league titles and multiple cups. He later joined Luncarty, where his brother Jimmy managed the team. That season was one for the history books, with Luncarty storming to the league title and three cup victories, including beating top-tier opponents. Billy scored an incredible 99 goals that year, narrowly missing the 100-goal milestone.

At Letham, Billy enjoyed unparalleled success, winning almost everything Perthshire football had to offer. His crowning achievement came with a North of Tay Cup victory and a stunning 121-goal season. His performances earned him a call-up to the Scotland amateur team, where he scored three goals in three games during tours of Shetland and Motherwell.

Fond Memories and Special Moments

Reflecting on his career, Billy highlighted several proud moments:

• Winning the double with his dad’s Kinnoull team.
• Securing a quadruple with Luncarty.
• Representing Scotland amateurs.
• Winning the North of Tay Cup.
• Scoring decisive goals in numerous cup finals.

More than the accolades, Billy cherishes the friendships forged along the way. From Kinnoull and Jeanfield Juniors to St John’s, Luncarty, and Letham, the bonds he built with teammates, managers, and supporters are what he holds dearest.

The Next Chapter

After a final stint with Breadalbane, where injuries began to take their toll, Billy has decided to hang up his boots and transition into coaching at Jeanfield Swifts Amateurs. “It feels like the right direction for my football journey,” he shared.

A Legacy Forever Etched

Billy Carle’s career is a testament to passion, determination, and excellence. Whether it was netting crucial cup final goals, leading his teams to silverware, or inspiring those around him, "Dr Goals" left an indelible mark on Perthshire football. As he steps into coaching, his influence on the game will undoubtedly continue.

Thank you, Billy, for the memories, the goals, and the inspiration. Football won’t be the same without you.