Billy Birrell

William Birrell (13 March 1897 – 29 November 1968) was a Scottish professional footballer who made over 220 appearances as a forward in the Football League for Middlesbrough.[1] He also made over 120 appearances in the Scottish League for Raith Rovers.[4] He began his career in management while a player at Raith Rovers and after his retirement, he managed Football League clubs Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic, Queens Park Rangers and Chelsea.[5][6]

Not to be confused with Willie Birrell.
Billy Birrell
Personal information
Full name William Birrell[1]
Date of birth 13 March 1897
Place of birth Cellardyke, Scotland
Date of death 29 November 1968(1968-11-29) (aged 71)[2]
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[3]
Position(s) Forward
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1914–1915 Inverkeithing United
1915–1921 Raith Rovers 77 (19)
0000–1920 → Kirkcaldy United (guest)
1921–1927 Middlesbrough 225 (59)
1927–1930 Raith Rovers 51 (22)
Managerial career
1927–1930 Raith Rovers (player-manager)
1930–1935 Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic
1935–1939 Queens Park Rangers
1939–1952 Chelsea
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Personal life

Birrell's brother Bob was also a footballer.[5]

Career statistics

Player
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Raith Rovers 1915–16[4] Scottish Division One 13 5 — 13 5
1916–17[4] 1 0 — 1 0
1919–20[4] 35 7 6 2 41 9
1920–21[4] 28 7 1 0 29 7
Total 77 19 7 2 84 21
Middlesbrough 1920–21[7] First Division 14 2 — 14 2
1921–22[7] 35 9 1 0 36 9
1922–23[7] 38 9 3 1 41 10
1923–24[7] 21 2 0 0 21 2
1924–25[7] Second Division 27 3 1 0 28 3
1925–26[7] 42 18 2 1 44 19
1926–27[7] 41 16 3 2 44 18
1927–28[7] First Division 7 1 0 0 7 1
Total 225 59 10 4 235 63
Raith Rovers 1926–27[4] Scottish Division One 15 4 3 1 18 5
1929–30[4] Scottish Division Two 20 12 2 1 22 13
1930–31[4] 16 6 0 0 16 6
Total 128 41 12 14 140 55
Career total 353 100 22 18 375 118

Manager
Team From To Record Ref
GWDLWin %
Raith Rovers (player-manager) 1927 1930 123 45 24 54 036.59 [8]
Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic August 1930 May 1935 220 67 56 97 030.45 [9]
Queens Park Rangers May 1935 April 1939 184 85 42 57 046.20 [9]
Chelsea April 1939 April 1952 285 96 74 115 033.68 [9]
Total 812 293 196 323 036.08 —

Honours

As a player

Middlesbrough

As a manager

Chelsea

References
  • Matthews, Tony (2005). Who's Who of Chelsea. Mainstream Publishing. ISBN 1-84596-010-6.
  • Mears, Brian (2004). Chelsea: A 100-year History. Mainstream Sport. ISBN 1-84018-823-5.
  1. Joyce, Michael (16 October 2012). Football League Players' Records 1888–1939 (3rd Revised ed.). Tony Brown. p. 28. ISBN 9781905891610.
  2. "Billy Birrell | Chelsea Manager". Stamford-Bridge.com The History of Chelsea FC. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
  3. Vulcan (22 August 1921). "First Division prospects. Middlesbrough". Athletic News. Manchester. p. 5.
  4. Litster, John. Record of Pre-War Scottish League Players. Norwich: PM Publications.
  5. "Birrell Billy Middlesbrough 1926". Vintage Footballers. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  6. "Billy Birrell". Official Site | Chelsea Football Club. Archived from the original on 16 November 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  7. "Billy Birrell". 11v11.com. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  8. "Raith Rovers Manager Billy Birrell Details". www.fitbastats.com. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
  9. Billy Birrell management career statistics at Soccerbase
  10. "Chelsea in the Second World War". www.chelseafc.com. Retrieved 9 December 2022.


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