Billy Behan

Infobox Football biography
playername = Billy Behan
fullname = William Behan
dateofbirth = birth date|1911|8|8
cityofbirth = Dublin
countryofbirth = Ireland
dateofdeath = death date and age|1991|11|12|1911|8|8
position = Goalkeeper
years = 1931
1931
1933–1934
1934
1934–1936
clubs = Shelbourne
Shamrock Rovers
Manchester United
Shelbourne
Shamrock Rovers
caps(goals) = 0? (?)
0? (?)
0? (?)
0? (?)
manageryears = 19??–19??
managerclubs = Drumcondra

William "Billy" Behan (8 August 1911 – 12 November 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 was born in Dublin, Ireland and made his Rovers debut on Sunday 8 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 made league appearances his debut in 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 23 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 side also for a spell.

Honours

;Shamrock Rovers
*FAI Cup
**Winner (2): 1931, 1936
*League of Ireland Shield
**Winner (1): 1934–35

ources

*"Back from the Brink" (2006): Paul McGrath with Vincent Hogan [http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1846050766]
*"The Boys In Green - The FAI International Story" (1997): Sean Ryan [http://www.amazon.ca/dp/1851589392]
*"The Hoops" by Paul Doolan and Robert Goggins (ISBN 0-7171-2121-6)

External links

* [http://www.mufcinfo.com/manupag/legends/behanpag/behan.html Profile] at MUFCInfo.com