Billy Hamilton (footballer)

Infobox Football biography
playername = Billy Hamilton


fullname = William Robert Hamilton
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1957|5|9
cityofbirth = Bangor
countryofbirth = Northern Ireland
dateofdeath =
cityofdeath =
countryofdeath =
height =
position = Striker
currentclub =
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1975-1978 1978-1979 1979-1984 1984-1987 1987-1989 1989 1989 1989-1992
clubs = Linfield QPR Burnley Oxford Limerick Sligo Rovers Coleraine Distillery
caps(goals) = ? (?) 12 (2) 200 (58) 32 (12) 29 (4) ? (?) ? (?) 72 (33)
nationalyears = 1978-1986
nationalteam = Northern Ireland
nationalcaps(goals) = 41 (5)
manageryears = 1989-1995
managerclubs = Distillery

William ("Billy") Robert Hamilton (born 9 May 1957 in Bangor) is a former Northern Irish footballer who played as a forward.

At club level, Billy played for Sligo Rovers, Linfield, QPR, Burnley, Oxford United and Limerick City. Billy is best remembered by Northern Ireland fans as the man who crossed the ball for Gerry Armstrong to score for Northern Ireland in their famous win against the hosts Spain at the 1982 FIFA World Cup. In total, Billy played 41 games, scoring 5 goals, for his country.

He is also remembered fondly by Distillery F.C. fans. He was a sensational signing by the club as Player/Manager in December 1989, after leaving Limerick City of the League of Ireland, having managed them to a third place finish in the previous season. He made his playing debut for the Whites on 22 March 1990 and in his three seasons made 72 appearances and scored 33 goals including one hat-trick. Knee injuries forced him to end his playing career in February 1992, but he continued to manage the team up until February 1995. He guided the club to the Gold Cup victory in the 1993/94 season.