Billy Boyd (footballer)
Encyclopedia
William Gillespie "Billy" Boyd (27 November 1905 – 14 December 1967) was a Scottish
professional football
er, whose regular position was at centre-forward. He is most notable for playing at Clyde
, where he won his two Scotland
caps
, and Sheffield United
, for whom he scored 30 goals in 42 appearances.
, Glasgow
and began his career with Regent Star Rutherglen. Whilst playing for junior side Larkhill Thistle
he scored over 200 goals in three seasons. This prodigious goal-scoring form led to a transfer to Clyde
. Boyd currently holds Clyde's record for the most goals scored in a season, scoring 32 goals in the 1932–33 season. This feat got him noticed by the English clubs, and in December 1933, he was transferred to Sheffield United.
. However, his 15 goals were not enough to save the Blades from relegation, as they finished in last place. Boyd stayed with the club as they went into Division Two
, and scored another 15 goals in 20 appearances.
His goalscoring prowess was noticed by Manchester United
, and he was signed by the Red Devils in February 1935. However, his tenure at Old Trafford only lasted a few months, and he was sold on to Workington
in September of the same year. He moved back into the Football League set-up in December 1935 when he was signed by Luton Town
. There, he scored a creditable 11 goals in only 13 appearances, before moving on to Southampton
.
By the time he arrived at The Dell he was past his prime. According to Holley & Chalk, "he was renowned for having an erratic temperament (so) it was not surprising that his sojourn at the Dell was short". He made his debut on the opening day of the 1936-37 season
, playing alongside fellow new signing Jimmy Dunne
and Saints' stalwart Arthur Holt
, but he failed to live up to expectations and by January had lost his place to Dick Neal
. In his brief Saints career he scored seven goals in 19 games, before moving on to Weymouth
in August 1937, and then back to Workington, where he retired.
, both in 1931. His international debut came on 20 May 1931 in a 3–0 loss to Italy
. This was followed by a second, and final, appearance against Switzerland
four days later. The match was won 3–2, with Boyd scoring the second of Scotland's three goals.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
professional football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
er, whose regular position was at centre-forward. He is most notable for playing at Clyde
Clyde F.C.
Clyde Football Club are a Scottish professional football team currently playing in the Third Division of the Scottish Football League. Although based for the last fifteen years in the new town of Cumbernauld, they are traditionally associated with an area that covers Rutherglen in South...
, where he won his two Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
caps
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
, and Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
, for whom he scored 30 goals in 42 appearances.
In Scotland
Boyd was born in CambuslangCambuslang
Cambuslang is a suburban town on the south-eastern outskirts of Glasgow, Scotland. It is within the local authority area of South Lanarkshire. Historically, it was a large rural Parish incorporating nearby hamlets of Newton, Flemington, and Halfway. It is known as "the largest village in...
, Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
and began his career with Regent Star Rutherglen. Whilst playing for junior side Larkhill Thistle
Larkhall Thistle F.C.
Larkhall Thistle F.C. are a football club from Larkhall, in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. Formed in 1878 the Jags are Scotland's oldest Junior Football Club and currently compete in the SJFA Central Division One. They play in red and white stripes and their home ground since 1881 is Gasworks Park...
he scored over 200 goals in three seasons. This prodigious goal-scoring form led to a transfer to Clyde
Clyde F.C.
Clyde Football Club are a Scottish professional football team currently playing in the Third Division of the Scottish Football League. Although based for the last fifteen years in the new town of Cumbernauld, they are traditionally associated with an area that covers Rutherglen in South...
. Boyd currently holds Clyde's record for the most goals scored in a season, scoring 32 goals in the 1932–33 season. This feat got him noticed by the English clubs, and in December 1933, he was transferred to Sheffield United.
In England
At Sheffield United, Boyd was a regular starter, making 22 appearances in his first season in the First DivisionFootball League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
. However, his 15 goals were not enough to save the Blades from relegation, as they finished in last place. Boyd stayed with the club as they went into Division Two
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
, and scored another 15 goals in 20 appearances.
His goalscoring prowess was noticed by Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
, and he was signed by the Red Devils in February 1935. However, his tenure at Old Trafford only lasted a few months, and he was sold on to Workington
Workington A.F.C.
Workington A.F.C. is an English football club from Workington, Cumbria. They are in the Conference North, and play their home matches at Borough Park, which has a capacity of 3,101 . The club play in red, and are known locally as the Reds...
in September of the same year. He moved back into the Football League set-up in December 1935 when he was signed by Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
. There, he scored a creditable 11 goals in only 13 appearances, before moving on to Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
.
By the time he arrived at The Dell he was past his prime. According to Holley & Chalk, "he was renowned for having an erratic temperament (so) it was not surprising that his sojourn at the Dell was short". He made his debut on the opening day of the 1936-37 season
1936-37 in English football
The 1936–37 season was the 62nd season of competitive football in England.-Honours:Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour...
, playing alongside fellow new signing Jimmy Dunne
Jimmy Dunne
James Dunne , commonly referred to as Jimmy Dunne, was an Irish footballer who played for, among others, Shamrock Rovers, Sheffield United, Arsenal and Southampton...
and Saints' stalwart Arthur Holt
Arthur Holt (cricketer)
Arthur George Holt was a Hampshire cricketer in the 1930s and 1940s, who also played professional football for Southampton...
, but he failed to live up to expectations and by January had lost his place to Dick Neal
Dick Neal, Sr.
Richard Marshall "Dick" Neal was an English professional footballer who played as a winger. He spent most of his career at Blackpool and Southampton.-Playing career:...
. In his brief Saints career he scored seven goals in 19 games, before moving on to Weymouth
Weymouth F.C.
Weymouth F.C. are an English football club based in the town of Weymouth, who currently play in the Southern League Premier Division.-History:Weymouth Football Club were founded in 1890 and played their first game on 24 September of that year...
in August 1937, and then back to Workington, where he retired.
International
Boyd only made two appearances for ScotlandScotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
, both in 1931. His international debut came on 20 May 1931 in a 3–0 loss to Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
. This was followed by a second, and final, appearance against Switzerland
Switzerland national football team
The Swiss national football team is the national football team of Switzerland...
four days later. The match was won 3–2, with Boyd scoring the second of Scotland's three goals.