Billy McCready

A legendary club figure – Billy McCready served Ballymena United with distinction over seven decades at the Showgrounds!

Born in Ballymena to the backdrop of the First World War, Billy was a hot prospect in local football quickly progressing from junior side Springburn to the first eleven of local Intermediate side Summerfield at the age of sixteen at the start of the 1930/1931 season.

His performances at half-back quickly caught the eye of the senior selectors for Ballymena FC, who moved to elevate the sturdy midfielder into the Irish League in January 1931. McCready’s debut came in a 4-1 defeat at Belfast Celtic. Whilst he missed out on a place in the Irish Cup final team for the defeat to Linfield, he found himself earning a run of games towards the end of the campaign, scoring his first of four goals in eleven appearances against Linfield in April 1931 at the Showgrounds in the City Cup competition.

Despite an influx of Scottish talent, the Showgrounds in the summer of 1931, the local teenager retained his place in the Ballymena panel for the 1931/1932 season and was a regular figure until an ill-fated match against Larne on Christmas Day. Billy suffered a serious broken leg after a collision with Larne goalkeeper John Moore which would rule him out of football for almost 18 months.

Having missed the entirety of the 1932/1933 season, McCready returned to the game in the summer of 1933 with his old club Summerfield and quickly returned to form in the Intermediate League. He was rewarded with a call-up to the Ireland Junior International team in March 1934, and was capped in the draw against Scotland at Solitude. His services were sought after from several senior clubs – but it was Coleraine manager William McStay that won Billy’s signature that same month for a return to the senior ranks.

Billy became a mainstay of the Coleraine side through the mid-thirties despite still being considered a young player. The Bannsiders struggled on the pitch though as they failed to finish outside the bottom three places of the Irish League standings in each of his four full seasons at the Ballycastle Road between 1934 and 1938. McCready became a popular figure at the club, making 174 appearances and scoring six goals for Coleraine.

Now playing regularly at full-back as well has his natural half-back position - the opportunity arose for versatile McCready to test his luck in Belfast as Glentoran came calling for the 1938/1939 campaign. The East Belfast outfit finished mid-table in sixth position as 24-year-old Billy made 22 appearances, scoring twice as Glentoran were beaten finalists in the County Antrim Shield, but the Braidman was not included in the final eleven.

In October 1939, McCready returned home to sign for Ballymena United, and became one of the small band of players to have played for both incarnations of the senior club in the town. The Light Blues were now a formidable force in Irish League football, having finished runners-up the previous season. Billy made his second bow at the Showgrounds in a heavy defeat to Belfast Celtic but went onto make 23 appearances for United during the 1939/1940 season. There was delight for the club as they defeated Glenavon to win the Irish Cup in April 1940 – but it was tinged with sadness for Billy who was left out of the team, with Blair Vincent being favoured at half-back by selectors.

Billy wouldn’t play another competitive match for Ballymena United again, as upon the conclusion of the 1939/1940 season – the club temporarily withdrew from the league owing to the outbreak of the Second World War with the Showgrounds being commandeered by the army to aid the war efforts. He signed for neighbours Larne in August 1940, but subsequently called time on his playing career soon after – despite being in his mid-twenties.

Upon the end of the war in 1946, Billy returned the Showgrounds as assistant groundsman and doubled as Ballymena United trainer and physiotherapist. Roles that he would hold for the next four decades! McCready became a popular and important mainstay of the club, working with countless managers from Geoff Twentyman to Alan Campbell. His dedication and respect within the game earned him the coveted role of trainer for Peter Doherty’s senior international side in the early 1960’s following the death of Gerry Morgan.

He eventually retired from his full-time duties in 1982, after 35 consecutive years in the role as trainer at the Showgrounds, passing the mantle onto Willie Cully. He would continue to offer his physiotherapy services to the United first team throughout the remainder of the 1980’s.

There was no shortage of honours bestowed to Billy McCready following his retirement, a testimonial game was hosted in his honour, as well as being made the first ever life member of the football club in 1985 by Chairman Leonard Wiseman. In May 1991, he was awarded the Merit Award by the NI Football Writers’ Association for his outstanding contribution to Irish football and later that summer was given the honourary role of Vice President of Ballymena United Football Club.

The Grand Old Man of Irish League football passed away suddenly in August 1991 in hospital following a short illness, aged 81. Upon his passing, the club renamed the physio room at the Showgrounds the McCready Room prior to the stadium’s redevelopment.

Belfast poet Arthur C. Clarke penned an ode to Billy McCready in 1982.

Billy’s Magic Sponge

His name spells magic
This trainer of Great Renown
Another Gentleman in Soccer
No nicer person could be found

His name is Billy McCready
Whose life is just football,
Just a dedicated person
Who is just loved by all

Many famous names will all agree
That Billy helped them along the way,
Always showing kindness to them all
That brightened up their day

And to all young footballers
Who want to play this great game
Put your careers in his hands
For he will bring you fame

So now my champion of trainers
Knowing Ballymena always need you,
For you are just part of them
In everything you set out to do

So take our thanks again Billy,
For football has always been your dream,
But to me you are a gentleman
In this wonderful football scene.

Career
(1930) Summerfield; (Jan 1931) Ballymena; (1933) Summerfield; (Mar 1934) Coleraine; (May 1938) Glentoran
(Oct 1939) Ballymena United; (Aug 1940) Larne

International Honours
Ireland Junior (1 caps, 0 goals – 1934)