Billy Behan

Irish Footballers that Played for Manchester United - Billy Behan

Billy Behan - Introduction

Billy Behan from Dublin was a goalkeeper that had a very brief career with Manchester United in the early 1930's. Behan is better known as a football talent scout for the English club. In Ireland Behan played for Shamrock Rovers and Shelbourne and also managed 'Drums' after he hung up his boots.

Billy Behan & Manchester United

Billy Behan crossed the Irish Sea from Dublin to join Manchester United in 1933 for the 1933/1934 season. He was signed by Scotsman Scott Duncan who was the United manager at the time. The Red Devils were in the Second Division when Behan signed for the club.

By the time that Billy Behan made his debut for Manchester United the club was languishing towards the bottom of the division and relegation to the Third Division was a distinct possibility. Behan made his United debut on 3rd March 1934 at Old Trafford. Bury provided the opposition and United won the match 2-1 through goals from Ball and Gallimore.

Unfortunately for Behan he was the United third choice goalkeeper and he never made another appearance for

Billy Behan - Talent Scout for Manchester United

Billy Behan is best known as the manner who discovered some of the finest Irish football talent from the Republic of Ireland from the 1930's right through into the 1980's. His first major find for Manchester United was the Old Trafford legend Johnny Carey in the mid-1930's. He is also credited with discovering other great Irish footballers that include Liam Whelan, John Giles, Tony Dunne, Don Givens, ex-GAA star Kevin Moran, and the truly great Paul McGrath. Behan also recommended other Irish footballers that didn't make first team appearances for United but who did go on to carve out a career with other clubs. Eamon Dunphy is included in this group.

Billy Behan - Manchester United & Ireland Statistics

Trevor Anderson - Harry Baird - Billy Behan - George Best - Jackie Blanchflower - Derek Brazil
Tommy Breen - Shay Brennan - Ronnie Briggs - David Byrne - Noel Cantwell - Johnny Carey
Joe Carolan - Roy Carroll - Tom Connell - Gerry Daly - Bernard Donaghy - Mal Donaghy - Tony Dunne
Pat Dunne - Jonny Evans - Sonny Feehan - Darron Gibson - John Giles - Keith Gillespie - Don Givens
Harry Gregg - Ashley Grimes - Mickey Hamill - David Healy - Denis Irwin - Tommy Jackson
Michael Keane - Roy Keane - Paddy Kennedy - Davy Lyner - Mick Martin - David McCreery
Noel McFarlane - Pat McGibbon - Chris McGrath - Paul McGrath - Sammy McIlroy - Sammy McMillan
Walter McMillen - Liam Miller - Kevin Moran - Tommy Morrison - Phil Mulryne - Jimmy Nicholl
Jimmy Nicholson - Liam O'Brien - John O'Shea - Patrick O'Connell - John Peden - James Robinson
Paddy Roche - Jackie Scott - Tom Sloan - Frank Stapleton - Billy Toms - Anthony Whelan
Liam Whelan - Norman Whiteside

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