Billy Gillespie

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 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.

Club career

Institute and Leeds City Gillespie started his footballing career with local side Institute in 1907. 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. 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.

Personal life Gillespie was born in Kerrykeel, County Donegal, where his father was a constable with the RIC. Gillespie was married to Ida Grace Burrell (source Ancestry UK) married 1917 Sheffield and had two children, Billy and Peter. Gillespie served as a gunner during World War I, during which time he lost most of his hair.

Career statistics

Club SeasonDivisionLeague AppsLeague GoalsFA Cup AppsFA Cup GoalsOther AppsOther GoalsTotal AppsTotal 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

Scores and results list Ireland/Northern Ireland's goal tally first. Date Venue Opponent Result Competition 1 15 February 1913 Belfast, Ireland 2–1 1913 British Home Championship 2 3 19 January 1914 Wrexham, Wales 2–1 1914 British Home Championship 4 5 14 February 1914 Middlesbrough, England 3–0 6 22 October 1921 Belfast, Northern Ireland 1–1 1922 British Home Championship 7 4 March 1922 Glasgow, Scotland 1–2 8 1 April 1922 Belfast, Northern Ireland 1–1 9 14 April 1923 Wrexham, Wales 3–0 1923 British Home Championship 10 20 October 1923 Belfast, Northern Ireland 2–1 1924 British Home Championship 11 22 October 1924 Liverpool, England 1–3 1925 British Home Championship 12 13 February 1926 Belfast, Northern Ireland 3–0 1926 British Home Championship 13 20 October 1926 Liverpool, England 3–3 1927 British Home Championship

Honours As a player Sheffield United FA Cup: 1924–25

As a manager Derry City City Cup: 1934–35, 1936–37