Billy Behan

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Personal information
Billy Behan
Full name	William Behan
Date of birth	August 8 1911
Place of birth	Dublin, Ireland
Playing position	Goalkeeper
Senior clubs¹
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
1931 1931 1933-1934 1934 1934-36	Shelbourne Shamrock Rovers Manchester United Shelbourne Shamrock Rovers
Teams managed
19xx-19xx	Drumcondra
¹ Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. * Appearances (Goals)

William Behan (born August 8, 1911, Dublin, Ireland; died November 12, 1991), also known as Billy Behan, is a former Irish footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Shelbourne, Shamrock Rovers and Manchester United during the 1930s.

He made his Rovers debut on Sunday the 8th of February 1931 in a 5-1 win over Bray Unknowns at Milltown. In his first season he won the FAI Cup.

Behan signed for Manchester United in September 1933 but made just a single league appearance in an English Second Division home game against Bury on March 3 1934. The following July he briefly returned to Shelbourne before again returning to Rovers. Over the next two seasons he won another FAI Cup and a League of Ireland Shield. His last game for the Hoops was on Sunday the 23rd of August 1936 in a Shield win over Drumcondra.

Behan subsequently became United’s chief scout in the Republic of Ireland and is credited with discovering, among others, Johnny Carey, Liam Whelan, Tony Dunne, Kevin Moran and Paul McGrath. He also served as vice chairman of the Dalkey - based Leinster Senior League team, Dalkey United and it was through this association that he discovered McGrath.

His brothers John and Paddy also played for Rovers. His son William junior kept goal for Rovers reserves side for a spell.