Billy McMillan
Encyclopedia
William McMillan commonly referred to as Billy McMillan, was an Irish footballer
who played for Belfast Celtic and Ballymena United
. McMillan was also a dual international
and played for both Ireland teams – the IFA XI and the FAI XI.
that reached the final of the County Antrim Shield
, only to lose 1–0 to the senior Celtic team. He subsequently established himself as a regular member of the senior team, playing alongside the likes of Jimmy McAlinden
, Jackie Vernon
, Charlie Tully
, Tom Aherne
, Robin Lawler
, Jimmy Jones and Johnny Campbell
. During the 1930s and 1940s this Celtic team dominated Northern Irish football. During the summer of 1949 McMillan also played with Celtic on their tour of North America
. Other members of the touring party included Aherne, Lawler, Campbell, guest player Mick O'Flanagan
and manager Elisha Scott
. These were the last games Belfast Celtic played before the club disbanded. The highlight of the 10 game tour came on May 29 when Celtic beat Scotland
2–0 at Triborough Stadium. On returning from the tour, McMillan joined Ballymena United
as a player manager.
-based IFA
and the Republic of Ireland
-based
FAI
selected players from all 32 counties. As a result several notable Irish players from this era, including McMillan, played for both teams.
. This team was basically a Great Britain XI and featured, among others, Matt Busby
, Stanley Matthews
, Tommy Lawton
and Stan Mortensen
. McMillan also played in three Victory internationals. On September 15, 1945 he played against England
in a 1–0 defeat at Windsor Park. Then on February 2, 1946 he also played in the 3–2 defeat to Scotland
, once again at Windsor Park. On May 4, 1946 he made his fourth appearance for the IFA XI in a 1–0 win against Wales
at Ninian Park
.
who benefited from the FAI’s attempts to establish an all-Ireland influence. In June 1946 when the FAI organised an Iberian
tour, McMillan, together with Jackie Vernon
, Jimmy McAlinden
and Paddy Sloan
, was one of four Northern Irish players called up. McMillan was originally a reserve but replaced the injured Bill Hayes
and subsequently played in the 3–1 defeat to Portugal
on June 16 and in the 1–0 win against Spain
on June 23.
Belfast Celtic Reserves
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...
who played for Belfast Celtic and Ballymena United
Ballymena United F.C.
Ballymena United, is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. The club hails from the town of Ballymena, County Antrim and plays its home matches at Ballymena Showgrounds. Club colours are sky blue and white. Away Colours are Red and BlackThe club was...
. McMillan was also a dual international
Dual Irish international footballers
Dual Irish international footballers are a group of Irish international footballers who, between 1908 and March 1950, played for the international teams selected by both the Irish Football Association and the Football Association of Ireland...
and played for both Ireland teams – the IFA XI and the FAI XI.
Club career
McMillan joined Belfast Celtic in 1932 and remained with the club until they withdrew from the Irish League in 1949. In 1936 he was a member of the Celtic reserve teamReserve team
Large professional sports clubs often have far more players under contract than could possibly play in a match. As a result, many of these clubs create second teams composed of players who need playing time, but have little hope of playing on the first team. The players on this second team are...
that reached the final of the County Antrim Shield
County Antrim Shield
The County Antrim Shield is a football competition in Northern Ireland. The competition is open to senior teams who are members of the North East Ulster Football Association , often plus intermediate teams who...
, only to lose 1–0 to the senior Celtic team. He subsequently established himself as a regular member of the senior team, playing alongside the likes of Jimmy McAlinden
Jimmy McAlinden
Jimmy McAlinden was an Irish footballer who played as a forward for several clubs, most notably, Belfast Celtic, Portsmouth, Shamrock Rovers and Southend United. As an international, McAlinden also played for both Ireland teams - the IFA XI and the FAI XI...
, Jackie Vernon
Jackie Vernon (footballer)
John Joseph Vernon also referred to as Jackie Vernon, is a former Irish footballer who played for, amongst others, Belfast Celtic and West Bromwich Albion. Vernon was a dual international and played for both Ireland teams - the IFA XI and the FAI XI...
, Charlie Tully
Charlie Tully
Charles Patrick "Charlie" Tully was a famous footballer of Celtic Football Club.Tully was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. In 1944 he was struggling to break into a very strong Belfast Celtic team and in a bid to garner better match experience was sent on loan to Cliftonville F.C....
, Tom Aherne
Tom Aherne
Thomas Aherne , also referred to as Bud Aherne, is a former Irish footballer and hurler. He played football for Belfast Celtic and Luton Town and was a dual internationalist, playing for both Ireland teams – the IFA XI and the FAI XI...
, Robin Lawler
Robin Lawler
Joseph "Robin" Lawler was an Irish professional football player.From Dublin, he began his career with Home Farm F.C.. Later played with Distillery F.C., Drumcondra F.C. and Transport F.C.. Played for Drums in the FAI Cup win against Shamrock Rovers in 1946...
, Jimmy Jones and Johnny Campbell
Johnny Campbell
John "Johnny" Peter Campbell was a footballer from Derry, Northern Ireland.Campbell grew up playing Gaelic football at school. He was also an accomplished sprinter, and an Ulster champion over 100 and 200 metres. He first played football for Foyle Harps, before being signed-up by Derry City, and...
. During the 1930s and 1940s this Celtic team dominated Northern Irish football. During the summer of 1949 McMillan also played with Celtic on their tour of North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. Other members of the touring party included Aherne, Lawler, Campbell, guest player Mick O'Flanagan
Mick O'Flanagan
Mick O'Flanagan is a former Irish sportsman who represented his country at both soccer and rugby union. As a soccer player, O'Flanagan played for, among others, Home Farm, Bohemians and Belfast Celtic. His older brother, Kevin O'Flanagan, was also a notable sportsman who also represented his...
and manager Elisha Scott
Elisha Scott
Elisha Scott was an Irish football goalkeeper who most notably played for Liverpool from 1912 to 1934 .-Life and playing career:...
. These were the last games Belfast Celtic played before the club disbanded. The highlight of the 10 game tour came on May 29 when Celtic beat 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...
2–0 at Triborough Stadium. On returning from the tour, McMillan joined Ballymena United
Ballymena United F.C.
Ballymena United, is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. The club hails from the town of Ballymena, County Antrim and plays its home matches at Ballymena Showgrounds. Club colours are sky blue and white. Away Colours are Red and BlackThe club was...
as a player manager.
Irish international
When McMillan played as an international in 1945 and 1946 there were, in effect, two Ireland teams, chosen by two rival associations. Both associations, the Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
-based IFA
Irish Football Association
The Irish Football Association is the organising body for association football in Northern Ireland, and was historically the governing body for Ireland...
and the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
-based
FAI
Football Association of Ireland
The Football Association of Ireland is the governing body for the sport of association football in the Republic of Ireland. It should not to be confused with the Irish Football Association , which is the organising body for the sport in Northern Ireland.For the full history, statistics and records...
selected players from all 32 counties. As a result several notable Irish players from this era, including McMillan, played for both teams.
IFA XI
Between 1944 and 1946, McMillan made at least four appearances for the IFA XI. On September 9, 1944 he played in the 8–4 defeat against a Combined Services XI at Windsor ParkWindsor Park
Windsor Park is a football stadium in Belfast, Northern Ireland and the home ground of Linfield F.C. and the Northern Ireland national football team. It is also where the Irish Cup and Irish League Cup finals are played.-History:...
. This team was basically a Great Britain XI and featured, among others, Matt Busby
Matt Busby
Sir Alexander Matthew "Matt" Busby, CBE, KCSG was a Scottish football player and manager, most noted for managing Manchester United between 1945 and 1969 and again for the second half of the 1970–1971 season...
, Stanley Matthews
Stanley Matthews
Sir Stanley Matthews, CBE was an English footballer. Often regarded as one of the greatest players of the English game, he is the only player to have been knighted while still playing, as well as being the first winner of both the European Footballer of the Year and the Football Writers'...
, Tommy Lawton
Tommy Lawton
Thomas "Tommy" Lawton was an English association footballer who rose to fame a short time before the outbreak of the Second World War and enjoyed a successful career which lasted until well into the 1950s....
and Stan Mortensen
Stan Mortensen
Stanley Harding "Stan" Mortensen was an English professional footballer, most famous for his part in the 1953 FA Cup Final , in which he became the only player ever to score a hat-trick in a Wembley FA Cup Final...
. McMillan also played in three Victory internationals. On September 15, 1945 he played against England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
in a 1–0 defeat at Windsor Park. Then on February 2, 1946 he also played in the 3–2 defeat to 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...
, once again at Windsor Park. On May 4, 1946 he made his fourth appearance for the IFA XI in a 1–0 win against Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
at Ninian Park
Ninian Park
Ninian Park was a football stadium in Leckwith, Cardiff, Wales. Until 2009, it was the home ground of Cardiff City F.C., who compete in the English Football League Championship...
.
FAI XI
In 1946 McMillan also made two appearances for the FAI XI. He was one of several players born in Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
who benefited from the FAI’s attempts to establish an all-Ireland influence. In June 1946 when the FAI organised an Iberian
Iberian Peninsula
The Iberian Peninsula , sometimes called Iberia, is located in the extreme southwest of Europe and includes the modern-day sovereign states of Spain, Portugal and Andorra, as well as the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar...
tour, McMillan, together with Jackie Vernon
Jackie Vernon (footballer)
John Joseph Vernon also referred to as Jackie Vernon, is a former Irish footballer who played for, amongst others, Belfast Celtic and West Bromwich Albion. Vernon was a dual international and played for both Ireland teams - the IFA XI and the FAI XI...
, Jimmy McAlinden
Jimmy McAlinden
Jimmy McAlinden was an Irish footballer who played as a forward for several clubs, most notably, Belfast Celtic, Portsmouth, Shamrock Rovers and Southend United. As an international, McAlinden also played for both Ireland teams - the IFA XI and the FAI XI...
and Paddy Sloan
Paddy Sloan
Joshua Walter "Paddy" Sloan was an Irish footballer and manager. His widely travelled career took Sloan to twenty different clubs in five different countries, including Northern Ireland, England, Italy, Malta and Australia. As a player, his clubs included Manchester United, Arsenal and Milan...
, was one of four Northern Irish players called up. McMillan was originally a reserve but replaced the injured Bill Hayes
Bill Hayes (footballer)
William Edward "Bill" Hayes , commonly referred to as Bill Hayes or Billy Hayes, is a former Irish footballer who played for Huddersfield Town, Cork United and Burnley. As an international, Hayes played for both Ireland teams - the FAI XI and the IFA XI...
and subsequently played in the 3–1 defeat to Portugal
Portugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
on June 16 and in the 1–0 win against Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
on June 23.
Honours
Belfast Celtic- Irish League
- Winners 1936–37, 1937–38, 1938–39, 1939–40, 1947–48: 5
- Northern Regional League
- Winners 1940–41, 1941–42, 1943–44, 1946–47: 4
- Runners Up 1942–43: 1
- Irish CupIrish CupFor the equivalent tournament in the Republic of Ireland, see FAI Cup.The Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Inaugurated in 1881, it is the fourth oldest national cup competition in the world...
- Winners 1936–37, 1937–38, 1940–41, 1942–43, 1943–44, 1946–47: 6
- City Cup Winners Cup
- Winners 1939–40, 1947–48, 1948–49: 3
- Gold CupGold Cup (Northern Ireland)The Gold Cup is a now-defunct cup competition which involved competitors from Ireland and from 1921 onwards, just for Northern Ireland. It was initially run by the New Irish Football Association but later, and mainly, by the Irish Football Association....
- Winners 1938–39, 1939–40, 1940–41, 1943–44, 1944–45, 1945–46, 1946–47: 7
- County Antrim ShieldCounty Antrim ShieldThe County Antrim Shield is a football competition in Northern Ireland. The competition is open to senior teams who are members of the North East Ulster Football Association , often plus intermediate teams who...
- Winners 1936–37, 1938–39, 1942–43, 1944–45: 4
Belfast Celtic Reserves
- County Antrim ShieldCounty Antrim ShieldThe County Antrim Shield is a football competition in Northern Ireland. The competition is open to senior teams who are members of the North East Ulster Football Association , often plus intermediate teams who...
- Runners Up 1935–36: 1