Billy Crone (31 August 1863 – 8 November 1944) also referred to as William Crone was an Irishfootballer who played for Distillery and Ireland during the 1880s and 1890s. After retiring as a player he also coached both Distillery and Ireland. On 20 February 1897 he became the first coach in the history of modern football to take charge of a national team. Crone's younger brother Bob Crone was also a notable footballer, playing for Glentoran, Middlesbrough, West Bromwich Albion and Notts County, as well as Distillery and Ireland. Crone, an all-round athletic, was also a useful cricketer and distance runner.
Crone spent sixteen seasons at Distillery playing as a defender. His club teammates included fellow Irish internationals Olphert Stanfield, Jack Reynolds and Samuel Johnston. Crone could play anywhere across the back-line, but was most familiar as a left-back or left-half. He made 290 appearances for Distillery and helped the club win the Irish Cup four times. He also played for Distillery during the inaugural Irish League season of 1890-91 and went on to make 35 league appearances for the club before he retired in 1893.
Irish Internationaledit
Between 1882 and 1890 Crone also played 12 times for Ireland. He made his debut on 25 February 1882, while still in his teens, in a 7–1 defeat to Wales. This was only Ireland's second ever international. He remained a regular for Ireland throughout the following eight seasons. On 7 April 1888 he scored for Ireland in a 5–1 defeat to England. All of his 12 international appearances ended in defeat, a statistic which results in Crone holding the unfortunate record of finishing on the losing side more times than any other international player during the 1800s.
Coaching careeredit
After retiring as a player, Crone became a coach at Distillery, a post he held for fifteen seasons. On 20 February 1897 he also took charge of the Ireland team for the 6–0 defeat against England. This was the first time in the history of modern football that a coach took charge of a national team.
billy, crone, august, 1863, november, 1944, also, referred, william, crone, irish, footballer, played, distillery, ireland, during, 1880s, 1890s, after, retiring, player, also, coached, both, distillery, ireland, february, 1897, became, first, coach, history, . Billy Crone 31 August 1863 8 November 1944 also referred to as William Crone was an Irish footballer who played for Distillery and Ireland during the 1880s and 1890s After retiring as a player he also coached both Distillery and Ireland On 20 February 1897 he became the first coach in the history of modern football to take charge of a national team Crone s younger brother Bob Crone was also a notable footballer playing for Glentoran Middlesbrough West Bromwich Albion and Notts County as well as Distillery and Ireland Crone an all round athletic was also a useful cricketer and distance runner Billy CronePersonal informationFull nameWilliam CroneDate of birth31 August 1863Place of birthBelfast IrelandDate of death8 November 1944 1944 11 08 aged 81 Position s DefenderSenior career YearsTeamApps Gls 1881 1893Distillery35International career1882 1890Ireland12 1 Managerial career1896 19xxDistillery1897Ireland Club domestic league appearances and goals Contents 1 Playing career 1 1 Distillery 1 2 Irish International 2 Coaching career 3 Honours 4 External linksPlaying career editDistillery edit Crone spent sixteen seasons at Distillery playing as a defender His club teammates included fellow Irish internationals Olphert Stanfield Jack Reynolds and Samuel Johnston Crone could play anywhere across the back line but was most familiar as a left back or left half He made 290 appearances for Distillery and helped the club win the Irish Cup four times He also played for Distillery during the inaugural Irish League season of 1890 91 and went on to make 35 league appearances for the club before he retired in 1893 Irish International edit Between 1882 and 1890 Crone also played 12 times for Ireland He made his debut on 25 February 1882 while still in his teens in a 7 1 defeat to Wales This was only Ireland s second ever international He remained a regular for Ireland throughout the following eight seasons On 7 April 1888 he scored for Ireland in a 5 1 defeat to England All of his 12 international appearances ended in defeat a statistic which results in Crone holding the unfortunate record of finishing on the losing side more times than any other international player during the 1800s Coaching career editAfter retiring as a player Crone became a coach at Distillery a post he held for fifteen seasons On 20 February 1897 he also took charge of the Ireland team for the 6 0 defeat against England This was the first time in the history of modern football that a coach took charge of a national team Honours editDistillery Irish Cup Winner 1883 84 1884 85 1885 86 1888 89 4 Runner Up 1887 88 1 County Antrim Shield Winner 1888 89 1 Runner Up 1889 90 1 Belfast Charities Cup Runner Up 1883 84 1889 90 1891 92 1892 93 4External links editNorthern Ireland s Footballing Greats Distillery fansite IFFHS Player stats Irish Cup appearances Billy Crone at National Football Teams com Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Billy Crone amp oldid 1162184611, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
