Bill Lacey (1889-1969)

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Bill Lacey
Personal information
Full name William Lacey
Date of birth September 24 1889
Place of birth Enniscorthy, Wexford, Ireland
Position Forward
Professional clubs*
Years Club Apps (goals)
1906-09
1909-12
1912-24
1924-25
1925-27
1927-31		 Shelbourne
Everton
Liverpool
New Brighton
Shelbourne
Cork Bohemians		 10 (3)
X (X)
230 (18)
X (X)
66 (12)
X (X)
National team**
1909-25
1927-30		 Ireland (IFA)
Irish Free State (FAI)		 23 (X)
3[1](1)

* Professional club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only and
correct as of November 1 2006.
** National team caps and goals correct
as of November 1 2006.

Bill Lacey (born September 24, 1889, Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Ireland; died May 30, 1969) was an Irish footballer who played for, among others, Shelbourne, Everton and Liverpool. As an international, he played for both Ireland teams - the IFA XI and the FAI XI. He was the first player to be capped at full international level while playing for both Merseyside clubs. Although he began his career as a forward with the ability to play on either wing as well as centre-forward, Lacey was a very versatile player, and throughout his career played in all eleven positions. Along with Val Harris, Patrick O’Connell and Billy Gillespie he was a prominent member of the Ireland team that won the British Home Championship in 1914. Together with Ephraim Longworth and Elisha Scott, Lacey was also a member of the Liverpool team that won two successive English First Division titles in 1922 and 1923. After a spell at New Brighton, Lacey returned to Shelbourne and in 1927 at the age of 37, became the oldest player ever to make his debut for the FAI XI. In 1930 at the age of 41 he became the teams oldest ever player. He finished his playing career at Cork Bohemians.

Contents

[edit] Everton and Liverpool

Lacey began his career with Shelbourne before joining Everton in early 1909. He made his Everton debut, leading the forward line, in April 1909 against Bradford City. During his time at Everton he also played as a half-back. After 40 appearances and 11 goals in all competitions he joined local rivals Liverpool in 1912. He arrived, along with Tom Gracie, as part of swap that saw Harold Uren join Everton. Lacey made his Liverpool debut, as a left-winger, on March 2 1912 in a First Division match against Middlesbrough. The game finished as a 1-1 draw. He scored his first goal for the club on March 16 in a 2-1 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

Lacey subsequently made 230 league appearances and scored 18 league goals for Liverpool. He also made a further 29 appearances and scored another 11 goals in other competitions. In 1914 he helped Liverpool reach their first ever FA Cup final. The game was the last ever final at Crystal Palace and was played in front of a reigning monarch, George V, for the first time. However Liverpool lost the match 1-0 to Burnley. In 1922 and 1923 Lacey helped a Liverpool team that also included Ephraim Longworth and Elisha Scott win two successive English First Division titles.

[edit] International Career

Between 1909 and 1925 Lacey won 23 caps for Ireland. He won the first 10 while at Everton, the next 12 at Liverpool and his last with New Brighton. The highlight of his international career came in 1914 when, along with Val Harris, Patrick O’Connell and Billy Gillespie, Lacey helped Ireland win the British Home Championship. He scored twice as Ireland beat England 3-0 at Ayresome Park in Middlesbrough. Ireland then clinched the title following a 1-1 draw with Scotland at Windsor Park in Belfast, a game which saw Lacey play in three different positions.

Towards the end of his career, Lacey also played three times for the FAI XI. In 1927, at the age of 37, he became the oldest player to ever make his debut for the FAI XI when he was selected to play against Italy. In 1928 he inspired the FAI XI to their first win. 2-0 down at half-time, Lacey scored the opening goal in a 4-2 away win against Belgium. In 1930, at the age of 41, he became the oldest player ever to play for the FAI XI when he played against Belgium again. In his three appearances for the FAI XI, he played as outside-right, inside-right and right-back.

[edit] Honours

Ireland

Liverpool

[edit] Sources

  • The Boys In Green - The FAI International Story (1997): Sean Ryan
  • Who’s Who Of Everton (2004): Tony Matthews
  • Who’s Who Of Liverpool (2006): Tony Matthews
  • Byrne, Peter (1996). Football Asssociation of Ireland: 75 years. Dublin: Sportsworld, 31 & 211. ISBN 1900110067.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Includes cap against Italy 'B' in 1927

[edit] External links

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