Billy Halliday
Billy Halliday (born 14 November 1906 in Dumfries) was a Scottish professional footballer. He played for his home club Queen of the South as well as Newcastle United, Third Lanark, Exeter City, Stockport County and St Cuthbert Wanderers. His position on the field of play was inside forward, playing on the left and wearing the Number 10 shirt.
Queen of the South
Halliday was an inside forward, playing on the left and signed for Queen of the South at the age of sixteen. His brother Dave Halliday had played for Queens before him in 1920, alongside Ian Dickson. Billy was a strong and fearless type of player who always gave his all.[1] Billy's first game for Queens was a friendly match versus Manchester University at Palmerston Park that Queens won 4-1, with Billy scoring on his debut.[2]
The 1926–27 season seen Queens drawn for the first time in a cup competition against Old Firm opposition. Queens took eventual winners Celtic to a replay before being eliminated from the Scottish Cup. Amongst those playing for Queens was inside left forward Halliday.[3]
Halliday was considered by many as the best inside forward in the division. His nine goals in 15 games in his last season at Queens was noticed by Newcastle United and they offered him a contract.[3] After starring in a 6-3 home victory over St Bernard's on 19 November, Halliday had an important decision to make.[4]
Newcastle United
With higher wages on offer and a signing-on fee, as well as his brother's massive success as a goal scoring machine at nearby Sunderland, Halliday unsurprisingly signed for Newcastle United.[1] He played alongside another ex-Queens player, Hughie Gallacher, who captained Newcastle to the 1926-27 English League Division One Championship.[5] Halliday made his first team debut away to Leicester City on 27 November 1927 when he replaced the injured Tom McDonald. This proved to be his only first team game for the club. He returned to Scotland in 1928.
Third Lanark
On returning Scotland Halliday played for Third Lanark.[2]
Exeter City
Yet again he headed south, this time to Exeter City for three seasons.[2]
Stockport County
Halliday played at Stockport County for two seasons.[2]
St Cuthbert Wanderers
He returned to his native Dumfries in 1933 where he finished his career with Kirkcudbright club St Cuthbert Wanderers.[2]
Later days
Billy later went on to manage Newcastle United and after his death a one minute's silence was held in his honour by Newcastle.
References
- 1 2 Dave Halliday profile on "Queens Legends" on the official Queen of the South FC website
- 1 2 3 4 5 http://wayback.archive.org/web/20070710113305/http://www.qosfc.com/qosaz.htm
- 1 2 'Club History' on qosfc.com
- ↑ "The Queens" by Iain McCartney on Creedon Publications, 2004
- ↑ Hughie Gallacher profile on "Queens Legends" on the official Queen of the South FC website