Billy Hamilton (footballer)

Billy Hamilton

Personal information
Full name	William Robert Hamilton
Date of birth	(1957-05-09) 9 May 1957
Height
Position(s)	Forward
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1975–1978	Linfield	66	(25)
1978–1979	Queens Park Rangers	12	(2)
1979–1984	Burnley	200	(58)
1984–1987	Oxford United	92	(25)
1987–1989	Limerick	29	(4)
1989	Coleraine	1	(0)
1989	Sligo Rovers	18	(4)
1989–1992	Distillery	50	(28)
International career
1979–1989	Northern Ireland	41	(5)
Managerial career
1987–1989	Limerick
1989–1995	Distillery
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

William ("Billy") Robert Hamilton (born 9 May 1957 in Gilnahirk, County Down) is a former Northern Ireland international footballer who played as a forward.

At club level, Hamilton played for Linfield, QPR, Burnley, Oxford United, Limerick, Sligo Rovers, Coleraine and Distillery. Hamilton is best remembered by Northern Ireland fans as the man who crossed the ball for Gerry Armstrong to score for Northern Ireland in their famous win against the hosts Spain at the 1982 FIFA World Cup. He played in every game and subsequently scored two goals himself in the second round game against Austria, and also played at the 1986 FIFA World Cup. He also twice won the British Home Championship in 1980 and 1984, scoring the winning goal against Scotland. Northern Ireland never lost when Hamilton scored. In total, Hamilton played 41 games, scoring 5 goals, for his country.

He is also remembered fondly by Distillery fans. He was a sensational signing by the club as Player/Manager in December 1989, after leaving Limerick City of the League of Ireland, having managed them to a third-place finish in the previous season. He made his playing debut for the Whites on 22 March 1990 and in his three seasons made 72 appearances and scored 33 goals including one hat-trick. Knee injuries forced him to end his playing career in February 1992, but he continued to manage the team up until February 1995. He guided the club to the Gold Cup victory in the 1993/94 season.

Hamilton has the distinction of designing a board game, Billy Hamilton's Football Academy, which was released in 1985.

International goals

Scores and results list Northern Ireland's goal tally first.

#	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	16 May 1980	Belfast, Northern Ireland	Scotland	1–0	1–0	1980 British Home Championship
2	25 March 1981	Glasgow, Scotland	Scotland	1–1	1–1	1982 FIFA World Cup qualification
3	1 July 1982	Madrid, Spain	Austria	1–0	2–2	1982 FIFA World Cup
4	1 July 1982	Madrid, Spain	Austria	2–2	2–2	1982 FIFA World Cup
5	21 September 1983	Belfast, Northern Ireland	Austria	1–0	3–1	UEFA Euro 1984 qualifying