Billy Johnston

William Cecil Johnston (born 21 May 1942 in Coalisland) 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.

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.

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.