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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | William Behan | ||
| Date of birth | (1911-08-08)8 August 1911 | ||
| Place of birth | Dublin, Ireland | ||
| Date of death | 11 November 1991(1991-11-11) (aged 80) | ||
| Position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1930–1931 | Shamrock Rovers | ? | (?) |
| 1931–1933 | Shelbourne | ? | (?) |
| 1933–1934 | Manchester United | 1 | (0) |
| 1934 | Shelbourne | ? | (?) |
| 1934–1936 | Shamrock Rovers | ? | (?) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1953–1954 | Drumcondra | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
William Behan (8 August 1911 – 12 November 1991) was anIrishfootballer who played as agoalkeeper forShelbourne,Shamrock Rovers andManchester United during the 1930s.
He made his Rovers debut on 8 February 1931 in a 5–1 win overBray Unknowns atMilltown. In his first season, he won theFAI Cup.
Behan signed for Manchester United in September 1933, along with fellow IrishmanDavid Byrne - they were the first players from thesouth of Ireland to play for the club in over a decade.[1]
He made his United debut in anEnglish Second Division home game againstBury on 3 March 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 23 August 1936 in a Shield win over Drumcondra.
After his retirement as a player he became a respected referee and was in charge of the1943 FAI Cup Final. He then managedDrumcondra in the 1950s where he won theFAI Cup again.
Behan subsequently became United's chief scout in theRepublic of Ireland and is credited with discovering, among others,Johnny Carey,Liam Whelan,Tony Dunne,Don Givens,Kevin Moran andPaul McGrath.[2] He also served as vice chairman of theDalkey-basedLeinster Senior League team, Dalkey United and it was through this association that he discovered McGrath.
Behan's father, William Sr., was one of the founder members of Shamrock Rovers. His brothers John and Paddy also played for Rovers. His son William junior kept goal for Rovers side also for a spell. His second cousin wasBob Fullam.
Billy's grandson Philip Behan is the former Head of International Football at the Football Association of Ireland and is now a UEFA and FIFA Agent organising friendly international matches and tournaments around the world.
Billy died in November 1991 at the age of 80.