Billy Gillespie - 1911-1931

Billy played for the Blades for twenty years, during which he lost all his hair in the First World War and won the FA Cup. He is United's most capped player with 25 for Ireland.

He was held in such high regard in his home country that when he left United to become manager of Derry City they changed their strip to red and white stripes in reverence to him and the Blades. Fierce looking and bald, Billy captained, and was instrumental in, United's FA cup triumph in 1925. Billy is pictured above shaking hands with the Cardiff City Captain before the 1925 Final.

He was denied another FA Cup Winner's medal in 1915 when he missed United's victory with a broken leg.

Billy died in Kent in 1981, aged 89.



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