William Cecil Johnston (born 21 May 1942 in Coalisland)[1] is a retired footballer and manager, who was most notable as the first ever Crusaders manager to win the league with the club, on two occasions (1973 and 1976).
Billy was a keen participant of sport at school, representing Ulster Schools at rugby, and was selected for the Northern Ireland Youth international football team against all three of the other home countries in 1959.
As a 16-year-old, he joined Glenavon and soon forced his way into the first team.[1] A prolific goalscorer with a touch of class, Billy soon emphasised his impact with the Lurgan Blues by scoring a hat-trick in a league match against Bangor that clinched the 1959–60 Irish League title. Over the next few seasons Billy's goal tally and reputation grew, and he scored 4 goals when the Irish League Select played the Italian League Select at Windsor Park in 1962, in a 6–2 victory. He then picked up his full Northern Ireland international cap in a match against Wales, just after his 20th birthday.[2]
In June 1966, then manager of Oldham Athletic, Jimmy McIlroy, signed him for £10,000, and he also scored his first international goal in a 4–1 victory over Mexico at Windsor Park just before the 1966 World Cup.[2] Unfortunately for Billy, he picked up a serious ankle injury just 4 weeks into his Football League career, that forced him to retire at the age of just 26.[1]
During the 1971–72 season, he took over the reins at Crusaders, winning the league title in 1972–73 and 1975–76, leading the club to famous ties against the likes of Dinamo Bucharest and Liverpool.[3]
A few years after that second title he went on to manage Ballymena United and Glentoran, where he also won a league championship, before retiring from management.[1]
ReferencesEdit
^ abcd"Billy Johnston". nifootball.blogspot.co.uk. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
^. Archived from the original on 13 April 2010. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
August 31, 2023
billy, johnston, footballer, born, 1942, william, cecil, johnston, born, 1942, coalisland, retired, footballer, manager, most, notable, first, ever, crusaders, manager, league, with, club, occasions, 1973, 1976, billy, johnstonpersonal, informationfull, namewi. William Cecil Johnston born 21 May 1942 in Coalisland 1 is a retired footballer and manager who was most notable as the first ever Crusaders manager to win the league with the club on two occasions 1973 and 1976 Billy JohnstonPersonal informationFull nameWilliam Cecil JohnstonDate of birth 1942 05 21 21 May 1942 age 81 Place of birthCoalisland Northern IrelandHeight5 ft 9 in 1 75 m Position s Inside forwardYouth careerCoalisland RangersSenior career YearsTeamApps Gls 1960 1966Glenavon 141 1966 1968Oldham Athletic29 6 ColeraineInternational career1961 1966Northern Ireland Amateurs13 3 1962Northern Ireland U231 0 1962 1966Northern Ireland2 1 Managerial career1972 1977Crusaders1977 1979Ballymena UnitedBangor1985 1987Glentoran Club domestic league appearances and goalsBilly was a keen participant of sport at school representing Ulster Schools at rugby and was selected for the Northern Ireland Youth international football team against all three of the other home countries in 1959 As a 16 year old he joined Glenavon and soon forced his way into the first team 1 A prolific goalscorer with a touch of class Billy soon emphasised his impact with the Lurgan Blues by scoring a hat trick in a league match against Bangor that clinched the 1959 60 Irish League title Over the next few seasons Billy s goal tally and reputation grew and he scored 4 goals when the Irish League Select played the Italian League Select at Windsor Park in 1962 in a 6 2 victory He then picked up his full Northern Ireland international cap in a match against Wales just after his 20th birthday 2 In June 1966 then manager of Oldham Athletic Jimmy McIlroy signed him for 10 000 and he also scored his first international goal in a 4 1 victory over Mexico at Windsor Park just before the 1966 World Cup 2 Unfortunately for Billy he picked up a serious ankle injury just 4 weeks into his Football League career that forced him to retire at the age of just 26 1 During the 1971 72 season he took over the reins at Crusaders winning the league title in 1972 73 and 1975 76 leading the club to famous ties against the likes of Dinamo Bucharest and Liverpool 3 A few years after that second title he went on to manage Ballymena United and Glentoran where he also won a league championship before retiring from management 1 References Edit a b c d Billy Johnston nifootball blogspot co uk Retrieved 26 April 2018 a b Billy Johnston National Football Teams com LFChistory net Past Present Future Archived from the original on 13 April 2010 Retrieved 2 March 2010 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Billy Johnston footballer born 1942 amp oldid 1158028718, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
