A former professional footballer has swapped the pitch for a tattoo studio after deciding to embark on a complete career change.
Billy Ions, 28, enjoyed success as a full-time footballer from a young age and played for a string of prestigious teams for a decade before making the difficult decision to step away from the game. It was then that Billy, who lives in Heaton, decided to pursue his other passion - and it has changed his life for the better.
Born in Ashington but brought up in Tenerife, Billy began his youth football career over there at the age of just 15 with CD Tenerife - before getting scouted by Newcastle United. The family moved back home and aged 16, Billy started playing for NUFC’s Under 18s.
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Billy was later transferred to Leeds United U18s, and then joined the Nike Academy where he caught the attention of Finnish football team PS Kemi Kings. Sadly, Billy suffered a string of injuries in the final years of his career that understandably affected his passion for the game.
“I wasn’t the same player when I came back,” Billy recalled. “I knew I was never going to play again at the same level as before I got my injuries. I just knew I needed a change.”
At the age of 26, Billy found himself on the hunt for a completely new career - luckily, he had a secret talent up his sleeve. “I’ve always been interested in graffiti, drawing and tattooing - it was something I enjoyed doing on the side when I was playing football,” he said.
Billy went around tattoo studios across Tyneside to see if anyone was willing to take him on - and eventually landed a place as an apprentice at 4th Avenue in North Shields. Having started at the studio in August, Billy has got stuck in to the world of tattooing and has inked some seriously impressive designs with support and advice from his colleagues.
“When I look back to where I was before I started at the studio, I never could have imagined being where I am now,” Billy said. “Everyone in the studio has taught me so much - it’s been amazing.”
The career move has also helped his mental health. “In football, the highs are incredible, but the lows are very mentally hard on you,” Billy said. “Now that I’m tattooing my head is fully focused on waking up every day, trying to do the best I can and learning as much as I can.”
Although the two careers seem completely different on paper, his football career helped Billy to take on his next daunting venture. “With football, I realised you’re only going to get as much out of it as you put into it,” Billy said.
“I put so much into my football career - it was about getting your head down and doing what you need to do to perform. Now, it’s sort of the same thing - I just keep my head down, and when I’m tattooing I make sure to give my best and be ready for whatever comes my way.”
Abbie Graham, manager of 4th Avenue, said: “Billy is the most humble, outgoing lad and the public love him. His work is outstanding, with his attention to detail catching everyone’s eye - as well as his good looks!
“Billy has huge potential, and we can see him reaching the top and winning many awards over the next coming years.”
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