View source for Billy Gillespie

{{Short description|Irish footballer (1891–1981)}}
{{for|the American college basketball coach|Billy Gillispie}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name           = Billy Gillespie
| image          = Billy Gillespie c1915.jpg
| upright        = 0.9
| caption        = Portrait photo of Gillespie {{circa|1915}}
| full_name      = William Ballintrae Gillespie
| birth_date     = {{birth date|1891|8|6|df=y}}
| birth_place    = [[Kerrykeel]], Ireland
| death_date     = {{death date and age|1981|7|2|1891|8|6|df=y}}
| death_place    = [[Bexley]], England
| height         = {{height|ft=5|in=9}}
| position       = [[Forward (association football)|Forward]] 
| years1         = 1907–1910 |clubs1 = [[Institute F.C.|Institute]] |caps1 =  |goals1 = 
| years2         = 1910–1912 |clubs2 = [[Leeds City F.C.|Leeds City]] |caps2 = 24 |goals2 = 10
| years3         = 1912–1933 |clubs3 = [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]] |caps3 = 448 |goals3 = 127
| totalcaps      = 472 |totalgoals = 137
| nationalyears1 = 1913–1930 |nationalteam1 = [[Ireland national football team (1882–1950)|Ireland]] |nationalcaps1 = 25 |nationalgoals1 = 13
| manageryears1  = 1932–1940 |managerclubs1 = [[Derry City F.C.|Derry City]]
}}

'''William Ballintrae Gillespie''' (6 August 1891 – 2 July 1981) was an Irish [[association football|football]] player who played as a [[Forward (association football)|striker]] for [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]] over a twenty-year period from 1913 to 1932, scoring over 137 League and Cup goals in 492 games for the [[Yorkshire]] side. Gillespie was born in [[Kerrykeel]], [[County Donegal]], Ireland and began his career with Irish side [[Institute F.C.|Institute]] in 1907. After a short spell with [[Linfield F.C.|Linfield]] he moved to England to play for [[Leeds City F.C.|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 football team (1882–1950)|Ireland national team]]. In 1932 he took over as manager of [[Derry City F.C.|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.

==Club career==

===Institute and Leeds City===
Gillespie started his footballing career with local side [[Institute F.C.|Institute]] in 1907.<ref name="blades whos who">{{cite book|author=Denis Clarebrough & Andrew Kirkham|title=Sheffield United Who's Who|publisher=Hallamshire Press|year=2008|page=135|isbn=978-1-874718-69-7}}</ref> In 1910, Gillespie had a short trial with Irish side [[Linfield F.C.|Linfield]] and was due to sign for them when [[Leeds City F.C.|Leeds City]] manager [[Frank Scott-Walford]] persuaded him to turn professional and join the [[Yorkshire]] club instead.<ref name="blades whos who" /> Having made his [[English Football League|Football League]] debut, Gillespie was largely confined to the reserves but was unhappy at not making further progress.<ref name="blades whos who" />

===Sheffield United===
[[File:Billy Gillespie c1925.jpg|thumb|Gillespie around 1925]]
[[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]] signed Gillespie from Leeds City in December 1912 for £500 for the maximum wage, which at the time was £4 per week.<ref name="blades whos who" /> Gillespie made his debut on [[Boxing Day]] 1911, scoring in a 2–2 draw with [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] and played regularly for the Blades from that point on.<ref name="blades whos who" /> 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 A.F.C|Sunderland]] in September 1914.<ref name="blades whos who" /> 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]].<ref name="blades whos who" /> 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 FA Cup Final|1925]].<ref name="blades whos who" /> Retaining his position for a further three years, Gillespie began coaching United's young players during the [[1930–31 Sheffield United F.C. season|1930–31 season]], before retiring from playing at the end of that season.<ref name="blades whos who" />

==Managerial career==

===Derry City===
Gillespie was offered the position of manager of [[Derry City F.C.|Derry City]] in 1932, where he remained until 1940.<ref name="blades whos who" /> 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 F.C.|Sheffield United]].<ref name="bladesprogramme" />  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.<ref name="bladesprogramme" />

==International career==
His first cap came in 1913, his two goals giving [[Ireland national football team (1882–1950)|Ireland]] their very first victory over [[England national football team|England]]. He was a part of the Ireland side that won the [[1914 British Home Championship]] outright after gaining wins over England and [[Wales national football team|Wales]] and a draw against [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]] at [[Windsor Park]]. Gillespie scored seven goals against England, matching a record set by Scotland players [[Geordie Ker]] and [[John Smith (footballer born 1855)|John Smith]].<ref name = "record">{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/Archive/matchstats.html?m=151 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20071029051823/http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/Archive/matchstats.html?m=151 |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 October 2007 |title=Archive |work=www.thefa.com |publisher=The Football Association |access-date=18 August 2013 |quote=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.}}</ref> 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 (footballer born 1962)|Colin Clarke]] in 1992 and broken by [[David Healy (footballer)|David Healy]] in 2004.<ref name = "record"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishfa.com/international/squad-profiles/profile/2036/billie-gillespie/ |title=Profile of Billie Gillespie |work=irishfa.com |publisher=Irish Football Association |access-date=5 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424205956/http://irishfa.com/international/squad-profiles/profile/2036/billie-gillespie/ |archive-date=24 April 2013}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Gillespie was born in [[Kerrykeel]], [[County Donegal]], where his father was a constable with the [[Royal Irish Constabulary|RIC]].<ref name="bladesprogramme">{{cite journal|department=Folklore and fables: Season III|title=Honouring the great Billy Gillespie|journal=UTB - up the Blades|issue=5|pages=14–15|publisher=Sheffield United F.C.|date=21 September 2013}}</ref> Gillespie was married to  Ida Grace Burrell (source Ancestry UK) married 1917 Sheffield and had two children, Billy and Peter.{{cn|date=August 2018}} Gillespie served as a gunner during [[World War I]], during which time he lost most of his hair.<ref name="blades whos who" />  During [[World War II]] he returned to Sheffield where he worked at [[Hadfields Limited|Hadfields munitions works]].<ref name="blades whos who" />  Gillespie moved to the south of England following his retirement and died in his sleep in [[Bexley]], London, on 2 July 1981, aged 89.<ref name="bladesprogramme" />  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.<ref name="bladesprogramme" /><ref>{{Cite web | title = Significant meeting | publisher = Sheffield United F.C. | date = 24 July 2013 | access-date = 2 August 2018 | url = https://www.sufc.co.uk/news/2013/july/significant-meeting/}}</ref>

==Career statistics==

===Club===
{|class=wikitable
!Season
!Division
!League Apps
!League Goals
!FA Cup Apps
!FA Cup Goals
!Other Apps
!Other Goals
!Total Apps
!Total Goals
|-
| 1911–12
|  One
|  17
|  11
|  1
|  0
|  0
|  0
|  18
|  11
|-
|-
| 1912–13
|  One
|  25
|  8
|  1
|  1
|  0
|  0
|  26
|  9
|-
|-
| 1913–14
|  One
|  30
|  12
|  8
|  2
|  0
|  0
|  38
|  14
|-
|-
| 1914–15
|  One
|  1
|  0
|  0
|  0
|  0
|  0
|  1
|  0
|-
|-
| 1915–16
|  Midland
|  0
|  0
|  0
|  0
|  30
|  10
|  30
|  10
|-
|-
| 1916–17
|  Midland
|  0
|  0
|  0
|  0
|  24
|  6
|  24
|  6
|-
|-
| 1917–18
|  Midland
|  0
|  0
|  0
|  0
|  1
|  3
|  1
|  3
|-
|-
| 1918–19
|  Midland
|  0
|  0
|  0
|  0
|  1
|  0
|  1
|  0
|-
|-
| 1919–20
|  One
|  29
|  4
|  2
|  0
|  0
|  0
|  31
|  4
|-
|-
| 1920–21
|  One
|  33
|  4
|  1
|  0
|  0
|  0
|  34
|  4
|-
|-
| 1921–22
|  One
|  31
|  14
|  0
|  0
|  2
|  0
|  33
|  14
|-
|-
| 1922–23
|  One
|  34
|  9
|  9
|  3
|  2
|  2
|  45
|  13
|-
|-
| 1923–24
|  One
|  38
|  14
|  1
|  0
|  2
|  2
|  41
|  16
|-
|-
| 1924–25
|  One
|  38
|  9
|  6
|  0
|  1
|  0
|  45
|  9
|-
|-
| 1925–26
|  One
|  39
|  12
|  2
|  1
|  1
|  0
|  43
|  13
|-
|-
| 1926–27
|  One
|  38
|  11
|  1
|  0
|  2
|  0
|  41
|  11
|-
|-
| 1927–28
|  One
|  34
|  5
|  8
|  1
|  0
|  0
|  42
|  6
|-
|-
| 1928–29
|  One
|  30
|  6
|  1
|  1
|  2
|  0
|  33
|  7
|-
|-
| 1929–30
|  One
|  14
|  5
|  0
|  0
|  1
|  0
|  15
|  5
|-
|-
| 1930–31
|  One
|  16
|  3
|  3
|  0
|  1
|  2
|  20
|  5
|-
|-
| 1931–32
|  One
|  1
|  0
|  0
|  0
|  0
|  0
|  1
|  0
|-
|-
|
|  Total
|  448
|  127
|  44
|  9
|  71
|  25
|  563
|  161
|}

===International===
<!---DO NOT DELETE REPEAT ENTRIES!!! REPEAT ENTRIES REPRESENT Billy Gillespie SCORING MULTIPLE GOALS IN A GAME!!!---> 
''Scores and results list Ireland/Northern Ireland's goal tally first. ''
{| class="wikitable"
! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Result !! Competition
|-
| 1 || rowspan=2|15 February 1913 || rowspan=2|[[Belfast]], Ireland || rowspan=2|{{fb|ENG}} || rowspan =2|2–1 || rowspan=2|[[1913 British Home Championship]]
|-
| 2
|-
| 3 || rowspan=2|19 January 1914 || rowspan=2|[[Wrexham]], [[Wales]] || rowspan=2|{{fb|WAL|1807}} || rowspan=2|2–1 || rowspan=3|[[1914 British Home Championship]]
|-
| 4
|- 
| 5 || 14 February 1914 || [[Middlesbrough]], England || {{fb|ENG}} || 3–0
|-
| 6 || 22 October 1921 || [[Belfast]], [[Northern Ireland]] || {{fb|ENG}} || 1–1 || rowspan=3|[[1922 British Home Championship]]
|-
| 7 || 4 March 1922 || [[Glasgow]], [[Scotland]] || {{fb|SCO}} || 1–2
|-
| 8 || 1 April 1922 || [[Belfast]], [[Northern Ireland]] || {{fb|WAL|1807}} || 1–1
|-
| 9 || 14 April 1923 || [[Wrexham]], [[Wales]] || {{fb|WAL|1807}} || 3–0 || [[1923 British Home Championship]]
|-
| 10 || 20 October 1923 || [[Belfast]], [[Northern Ireland]] || {{fb|ENG}} || 2–1 || [[1924 British Home Championship]]
|-
| 11 || 22 October 1924 || [[Liverpool]], England || {{fb|ENG}} || 1–3 || [[1925 British Home Championship]]
|-
| 12 || 13 February 1926 || [[Belfast]], [[Northern Ireland]] || {{fb|WAL|1807}} || 3–0 || [[1926 British Home Championship]]
|-
| 13 || 20 October 1926 || [[Liverpool]], England || {{fb|ENG}} || 3–3 || [[1927 British Home Championship]]
|}

==Honours==
===As a player===
'''Sheffield United'''
*[[FA Cup]]: [[1925 FA Cup Final|1924–25]]

===As a manager===
'''Derry City'''
*[[City Cup (Northern Ireland)|City Cup]]: [[1934–35 City Cup|1934–35]], [[1936–37 City Cup|1936–37]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080613114943/http://www.irishfa.com/squad-profiles/2036/legends-of-the-game/billie-gillespie/ Irish Football Association – 'Legends of the Game' profile]
*{{NFT player|pid=38719}}

{{Derry City F.C. managers}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gillespie, Billy}}
[[Category:1891 births]]
[[Category:1981 deaths]]
[[Category:Association footballers from County Donegal]]
[[Category:Men's association football forwards]]
[[Category:Irish association footballers (before 1923)]]
[[Category:Pre-1950 IFA men's international footballers]]
[[Category:Institute F.C. players]]
[[Category:Leeds City F.C. players]]
[[Category:Sheffield United F.C. players]]
[[Category:Derry City F.C. managers]]
[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:Irish soldiers in the British Army]]
[[Category:Irish people of World War I]]
[[Category:Irish association football managers]]
[[Category:NIFL Premiership managers]]