Billy O'Rourke

Football player infobox
playername = Billy O'Rourke


fullname = William James O'Rourke
height = height|ft=6|in=0
nickname =
dateofbirth = birth date|1960|4|2
cityofbirth = Nottingham
dateofdeath = death date and age|2002|1|28|1960|4|2
countryofbirth = England
currentclub =
clubnumber =
position = Goalkeeper
youthyears = 1976–1978
youthclubs = Burnley
years = 1978–1984
1983
1984
1984–1987
1986
1987–1988
1988–?
clubs = Burnley
→ Blackpool (loan)
Chester City
Blackpool
→ Tranmere Rovers (loan)
Tranmere Rovers
ICI Thornton
caps(goals) = 14 0 0(0)
6 000 (0)
5 000 (0)
92 00 (0)
15 00 (0)
38 00 (0)
nationalyears =
nationalteam =
nationalcaps(goals) =
managerclubs =
manageryears =
pcupdate =
ntupdate =

Billy O'Rourke (born 2 April 1960, Nottingham; died 28 January 2002) was an English professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He played in The Football League for four different clubs.

Playing career

O'Rourke began his career as an apprentice with Burnley, who he turned professional with in February 1978. His debut came away at QPR in October 1979, in a match shown on Match of the Day [cite web|url= http://www.park-road.u-net.com/billyandgeorge.htm |title= Obituaries| publisher = The London Clarets | accessdate=2008-01-23] . Burnley lost 7–0, with O’Rourke leaving the pitch in tears [cite web|url= http://www.park-road.u-net.com/billyandgeorge.htm |title= Obituaries| publisher = The London Clarets | accessdate=2008-01-23] . However, his performance led to the Burnley Express naming him as his side’s man of the match [cite web|url= http://www.park-road.u-net.com/billyandgeorge.htm |title= Obituaries| publisher = The London Clarets | accessdate=2008-01-23] .

He went on to make 13 more league appearances for the Clarets before joining Blackpool on loan in August 1983, followed by a move to Chester City in March 1984. Just five appearances later he was back at Blackpool, this time on a permanent basis, playing every league game in the next two seasons.

In September 1986 O'Rourke joined Tranmere Rovers on loan, making a permanent switch to Prenton Park the following February. He remained with the club the following season before leaving Football League circles. He then joined ICI Thornton [cite web|url= http://www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/tranmere/tranmere.htm|title= Tranmere Rovers 1946/47-2006/07| publisher = Neil Brown | accessdate=2008-01-23] .

O'Rourke died following a brain haemorrhage on 28 January 2002 [cite web|url= http://www.park-road.u-net.com/billyandgeorge.htm |title= Obituaries| publisher = The London Clarets | accessdate=2008-01-23] .

Honours

Blackpool

*Football League Fourth Division runners-up: 1984–85 (46 apps)

External links

* [http://www.claretsmad.co.uk/news/loadfeat.asp?cid=ED35&id=342730 Burnley career stats]
* [http://www.park-road.u-net.com/billyandgeorge.htm Obituary]

References