William Ballintrae Gillespie (6 August 1891 – 2 July 1981) was an Irish football player who played as a striker for Sheffield United over a twenty-year period from 1913 to 1932, scoring over 137 League and Cup goals in 492 games for the South Yorkshire side. Gillespie was born in Kerrykeel, County Donegal, Ireland and began his career with Irish side Institute in 1907. After a short spell with Linfield he moved to England to play for Leeds City in 1910 before moving to Sheffield United in 1912, where he would stay until he retired from playing. Gillespie also made 25 appearances for the Ireland national team. In 1932 he took over as manager of Derry City where he remained until 1940. After leaving Derry, Gillespie moved to the south of England where he lived until his death in 1981.
Gillespie started his footballing career with local side Institute in 1907.[1] In 1910, Gillespie had a short trial with Irish side Linfield and was due to sign for them when Leeds City manager Frank Scott-Walford persuaded him to turn professional and join the Yorkshire club instead.[1] Having made his Football League debut, Gillespie was largely confined to the reserves but was unhappy at not making further progress.[1]
Sheffield United
Sheffield United signed Gillespie from Leeds City in December 1912 for £500 for the maximum wage, then £4 per week.[1] Gillespie made his debut on Boxing Day 1911, scoring in a 2–2 draw with Newcastle United and played regularly for the Blades from that point on.[1] Gillespie was denied an FA Cup Winner's medal in 1915, when he missed United's victory with a broken leg, received in the first game of the season against Sunderland in September 1914.[1] Following the end of World War I, Gillespie returned to United and resumed his place in the first-team, although now playing a more withdrawn role as an inside forward.[1] Continuing to play regularly, Gillespie took over as club captain from George Utley in 1923 and in the following five seasons helped United reach two FA Cup semi-finals and finally won a winner's medal in 1925.[1] Retaining his position for a further three years, Gillespie began coaching United's young players during the 1930–31 season, before retiring from playing at the end of that season.[1]
Managerial career
Derry City
Gillespie was offered the position of manager of Derry City in 1932, where he remained until 1940.[1] Gillespie was held in such regard that the club agreed to change their strip to red and white stripes in recognition of his career at Sheffield United.[2] Following World War II he continued with his connection to United, acting as a scout for his former team and compiling match and player reports until the 1970s.[2]
Gillespie was born in Kerrykeel, County Donegal, where his father was a constable with the RIC.[2] Gillespie was married to Rosie with two children, Billy and Peter.[citation needed] Gillespie served as a gunner during World War I, during which time he lost most of his hair.[1] During World War II he returned to Sheffield where he worked at Hadfields munitions works.[1] Gillespie moved to the south of England following his retirement and died in his sleep in Bexley, Kent on 2 July 1981, aged 89.[2] In September 2013, a commemorative plaque was erected at Rab's Park, Kerrykeel, the local community sport field, in recognition of Gillespie's achievements and his links to the town.[2][5]
^ abcdefghijklDenis Clarebrough & Andrew Kirkham (2008). Sheffield United Who's Who. Hallamshire Press. p. 135. ISBN978-1-874718-69-7.
^ abcde"Honouring the great Billy Gillespie". Folklore and fables: Season III. UTB - up the Blades. Sheffield United F.C. (5): 14–15. 21 September 2013.
^ ab"Archive". www.thefa.com. The Football Association. Archived from the original on 29 October 2007. Retrieved 18 August 2013. Gillespie's 13th and last international goal was a national record until David Healy broke it in 2004. This was Gillespie's 7th goal against England, matching the record set by Geordie Ker and John Smith, which hasn't been equalled.
^. www.irishfa.com. Irish Football Association. Archived from the original on 24 April 2013. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
^"Significant meeting". Sheffield United F.C. 24 July 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
External links
Billy Gillespie at National-Football-Teams.com
February 18, 2023
billy, gillespie, american, college, basketball, coach, billy, gillispie, william, ballintrae, gillespie, august, 1891, july, 1981, irish, football, player, played, striker, sheffield, united, over, twenty, year, period, from, 1913, 1932, scoring, over, league. For the American college basketball coach see Billy Gillispie William Ballintrae Gillespie 6 August 1891 2 July 1981 was an Irish football player who played as a striker for Sheffield United over a twenty year period from 1913 to 1932 scoring over 137 League and Cup goals in 492 games for the South Yorkshire side Gillespie was born in Kerrykeel County Donegal Ireland and began his career with Irish side Institute in 1907 After a short spell with Linfield he moved to England to play for Leeds City in 1910 before moving to Sheffield United in 1912 where he would stay until he retired from playing Gillespie also made 25 appearances for the Ireland national team In 1932 he took over as manager of Derry City where he remained until 1940 After leaving Derry Gillespie moved to the south of England where he lived until his death in 1981 Billy GillespiePersonal informationFull nameWilliam Ballintrae GillespieDate of birth 1891 08 06 6 August 1891Place of birthKerrykeel Ireland United KingdomDate of death2 July 1981 1981 07 02 aged 89 Place of deathBexley EnglandHeight5 ft 9 in 1 75 m Position s ForwardSenior career YearsTeamApps Gls 1907 1910Institute1910 1912Leeds City24 10 1912 1933Sheffield United448 127 Total472 137 International career1913 1930Ireland25 13 Managerial career1932 1940Derry City Club domestic league appearances and goals Contents 1 Club career 1 1 Institute and Leeds City 1 2 Sheffield United 2 Managerial career 2 1 Derry City 3 International career 3 1 International goals 4 Personal life 5 Honours 5 1 As a player 5 2 As a manager 6 Sheffield United career 7 References 8 External linksClub career EditInstitute and Leeds City Edit Gillespie started his footballing career with local side Institute in 1907 1 In 1910 Gillespie had a short trial with Irish side Linfield and was due to sign for them when Leeds City manager Frank Scott Walford persuaded him to turn professional and join the Yorkshire club instead 1 Having made his Football League debut Gillespie was largely confined to the reserves but was unhappy at not making further progress 1 Sheffield United Edit Sheffield United signed Gillespie from Leeds City in December 1912 for 500 for the maximum wage then 4 per week 1 Gillespie made his debut on Boxing Day 1911 scoring in a 2 2 draw with Newcastle United and played regularly for the Blades from that point on 1 Gillespie was denied an FA Cup Winner s medal in 1915 when he missed United s victory with a broken leg received in the first game of the season against Sunderland in September 1914 1 Following the end of World War I Gillespie returned to United and resumed his place in the first team although now playing a more withdrawn role as an inside forward 1 Continuing to play regularly Gillespie took over as club captain from George Utley in 1923 and in the following five seasons helped United reach two FA Cup semi finals and finally won a winner s medal in 1925 1 Retaining his position for a further three years Gillespie began coaching United s young players during the 1930 31 season before retiring from playing at the end of that season 1 Managerial career EditDerry City Edit Gillespie was offered the position of manager of Derry City in 1932 where he remained until 1940 1 Gillespie was held in such regard that the club agreed to change their strip to red and white stripes in recognition of his career at Sheffield United 2 Following World War II he continued with his connection to United acting as a scout for his former team and compiling match and player reports until the 1970s 2 International career EditHis first cap came in 1913 his two goals giving Ireland their very first victory over England He was a part of the Ireland side that won the 1914 British Home Championship outright after gaining wins over England and Wales and a draw against Scotland at Windsor Park Gillespie scored seven goals against England matching a record set by Scotland players Geordie Ker and John Smith 3 Gillespie played for the Ireland national team operated by the Irish Football Association IFA which now operates the Northern Ireland national football team Gillespie held the IFA record for most international goals scored for 78 years with 13 goals His record was equalled by Colin Clarke in 1992 and broken by David Healy in 2004 3 4 International goals Edit Scores and results list Ireland Northern Ireland s goal tally first Date Venue Opponent Result Competition1 15 February 1913 Belfast Ireland England 2 1 1913 British Home Championship23 19 January 1914 Wrexham Wales Wales 2 1 1914 British Home Championship45 14 February 1914 Middlesbrough England England 3 06 22 October 1921 Belfast Northern Ireland England 1 1 1922 British Home Championship7 4 March 1922 Glasgow Scotland Scotland 1 28 1 April 1922 Belfast Northern Ireland Wales 1 19 14 April 1923 Wrexham Wales Wales 3 0 1923 British Home Championship10 20 October 1923 Belfast Northern Ireland England 2 1 1924 British Home Championship11 22 October 1924 Liverpool England England 1 3 1925 British Home Championship12 13 February 1926 Belfast Northern Ireland Wales 3 0 1926 British Home Championship13 20 October 1926 Liverpool England England 3 3 1927 British Home ChampionshipPersonal life EditGillespie was born in Kerrykeel County Donegal where his father was a constable with the RIC 2 Gillespie was married to Rosie with two children Billy and Peter citation needed Gillespie served as a gunner during World War I during which time he lost most of his hair 1 During World War II he returned to Sheffield where he worked at Hadfields munitions works 1 Gillespie moved to the south of England following his retirement and died in his sleep in Bexley Kent on 2 July 1981 aged 89 2 In September 2013 a commemorative plaque was erected at Rab s Park Kerrykeel the local community sport field in recognition of Gillespie s achievements and his links to the town 2 5 Honours EditAs a player Edit Sheffield United FA Cup 1924 25As a manager Edit Derry City City Cup 1934 35 1936 37Sheffield United career EditSeason Division League Apps League Goals FA Cup Apps FA Cup Goals Other Apps Other Goals Total Apps Total Goals1911 12 One 17 11 1 0 0 0 18 111912 13 One 25 8 1 1 0 0 26 91913 14 One 30 12 8 2 0 0 38 141914 15 One 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 01915 16 Midland 0 0 0 0 30 10 30 101916 17 Midland 0 0 0 0 24 6 24 61917 18 Midland 0 0 0 0 1 3 1 31918 19 Midland 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 01919 20 One 29 4 2 0 0 0 31 41920 21 One 33 4 1 0 0 0 34 41921 22 One 31 14 0 0 2 0 33 141922 23 One 34 9 9 3 2 2 45 131923 24 One 38 14 1 0 2 2 41 161924 25 One 38 9 6 0 1 0 45 91925 26 One 39 12 2 1 1 0 43 131926 27 One 38 11 1 0 2 0 41 111927 28 One 34 5 8 1 0 0 42 61928 29 One 30 6 1 1 2 0 33 71929 30 One 14 5 0 0 1 0 15 51930 31 One 16 3 3 0 1 2 20 51931 32 One 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0Total 448 127 44 9 71 25 563 161References Edit a b c d e f g h i j k l Denis Clarebrough amp Andrew Kirkham 2008 Sheffield United Who s Who Hallamshire Press p 135 ISBN 978 1 874718 69 7 a b c d e Honouring the great Billy Gillespie Folklore and fables Season III UTB up the Blades Sheffield United F C 5 14 15 21 September 2013 a b Archive www thefa com The Football Association Archived from the original on 29 October 2007 Retrieved 18 August 2013 Gillespie s 13th and last international goal was a national record until David Healy broke it in 2004 This was Gillespie s 7th goal against England matching the record set by Geordie Ker and John Smith which hasn t been equalled Profile of Billie Gillespie www irishfa com Irish Football Association Archived from the original on 24 April 2013 Retrieved 5 February 2013 Significant meeting Sheffield United F C 24 July 2013 Retrieved 2 August 2018 External links EditIrish Football Association Legends of the Game profile Billy Gillespie at National Football Teams com Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Billy Gillespie amp oldid 1130985031, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
