[1] He was often considered the best local player during his era[2] with outstanding ball control, crossing ability and long dribbles, sometimes taking it the entire length of the pitch!

He was also a leading exponent of the "screw shot" that allowed him to bend the ball in the air,[3] a technique that was developed in Sheffield at the time and is now commonplace in the game.

One anecdotal story says that when he ran onto the pitch in Hallam colours someone in the crowd shouted "10 bob and free drinks, Billy, if you'll change your shirt".

[2] Signing for The Wednesday in 1878 Mosforth would remain with the club for almost a decade, scoring their first ever goal at their Olive Grove ground, but continued to play for a number of other local teams during that period.

[1] He duly signed for the new club and remained at Bramall Lane for one season (prior to their entry into The Football League), having the distinction of scoring United's first ever goal at the ground and of being one of the first players to play for both leading sides in the city.

Scored Sheffield Wednesday's first ever goal at the Olive Grove Mosforth was an engraver by trade and was an all round athlete, competing in both flat and hurdle races and playing for Hallam Cricket Club.