Fulham have announced the sad death of FA Cup hero Viv Busby at the age of 74.
The striker was signed by Alec Stock from Luton Town in the summer of 1973 and scored 37 goals in 143 appearances for the Cottagers. He played a key role as the Second Division reached the FA Cup final in 1975, losing to West Ham United at Wembley. Busby played in all twelve matches and scored a superb double at Goodison Park as the Whites beat the then Division One leaders in a massive fifth round shock.
Busby briefly returned to Craven Cottage as part of Paul Bracewell’s backroom staff and his contribution to the club was recognised when he received the Forever Fulham award from club non-executive director David Daly and received a rapturous reception from the Fulham faithful eighteen months ago.
A Fulham statement earlier this afternoon read:
“The Club is saddened to learn of the death of former player Viv Busby. Signed by Alec Stock ahead of the 1973/74 season, it was the following campaign that fans will best remember Busby’s exploits for Fulham, playing a key role in our run to the FA Cup Final.
“Busby started all 12 of our FA Cup fixtures that year and scored six goals, including his famous brace at Goodison Park to defeat Everton – Division One leaders at the time – in the Fifth Round. He departed the Club early in 1976/77, with a record of 37 goals in 143 appearances. That was not the last we saw of Busby at the Cottage, though, as he returned as a coach under Paul Bracewell in 1999.
“Busby is also a Forever Fulham recipient, having been inducted in October 2022. Everyone at the Club would like to offer our condolences to Viv’s wife Barbara, and all his family and friends at this sad time.”
