Billy Jordan
Encyclopedia
Billy Jordan was one of the outstanding football players in Ireland during the 1930s.
was away on inter-League duty with the League of Ireland
in Wales.
He became a permanent name in the starting line up from the 1933/34 season on as either inside or outside left. Jordan's "arrival" that 33/34 season coincided with another Billy being appointed coach - Bill Lacey. It was Lacey who shrewdly gave Fred Horlacher
a new lease of life by moving him back to left half (what might be regarded as a defensive midfield position nowadays) and installed Jordan at inside left. It would prove Jordan's best scoring season, for he scored 16 goals in all competitions as Bohs won the Shield
and then the League.
Jordan stayed on the left wing during 34/35 and played in a dramatic FAI Cup final against Dundalk though suffering from a knee injury. Bohs were reduced to ten men several times during the match, permanently so with over half an hour to play as the injured Paddy Farrell
couldn't continue, but they held on with their backs to the wall for a 4-3 win and it still remains the highest scoring final in its long history. Jordan scored two goals within a minute during the first half to help Bohs on their way.
Jordan gave Bohemians ten seasons as a first-teamer. He clocked up exactly 100 League appearances from which he scored 37 goals, bowing out at the end of the 1940/41 season. In all he made 192 first team appearances in all competitions, scoring 67 goals.
in a 5-2 defeat. Unfortunately for Jordan, he was injured and had to be replaced by fellow Bohemian Fred Horlacher
. This was the first substitution ever to take place in an Irish international match.
His second cap came in October 1937 in a World Cup tie that ended 3-2 to Norway
in Oslo
.
Club career
Jordan began his footballing life at St Francis who played in the St Dominic's Boys Sodality League. He joined Bohs from Villa Rangers in 1928/29. Jordan was a skilful inside left but had to bide his time in the Bohemian "B" and "C" teams before he made his first team début in December 1931 when Fred HorlacherFred Horlacher
Fred Horlacher was an Irish footballer who played for Bohemians in the League of Ireland during the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. As an international Horlacher represented both Ireland teams. He played as a senior for the FAI XI and as an amateur for the IFA XI...
was away on inter-League duty with the League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
in Wales.
He became a permanent name in the starting line up from the 1933/34 season on as either inside or outside left. Jordan's "arrival" that 33/34 season coincided with another Billy being appointed coach - Bill Lacey. It was Lacey who shrewdly gave Fred Horlacher
Fred Horlacher
Fred Horlacher was an Irish footballer who played for Bohemians in the League of Ireland during the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. As an international Horlacher represented both Ireland teams. He played as a senior for the FAI XI and as an amateur for the IFA XI...
a new lease of life by moving him back to left half (what might be regarded as a defensive midfield position nowadays) and installed Jordan at inside left. It would prove Jordan's best scoring season, for he scored 16 goals in all competitions as Bohs won the Shield
League of Ireland Shield
The League of Ireland Shield is a defunct Irish football tournament which was introduced when the League of Ireland started in 1921 and ran uninterrupted until 1972...
and then the League.
Jordan stayed on the left wing during 34/35 and played in a dramatic FAI Cup final against Dundalk though suffering from a knee injury. Bohs were reduced to ten men several times during the match, permanently so with over half an hour to play as the injured Paddy Farrell
Paddy Farrell
Paddy Farrell is a former Irish footballer who played for Bohemians and Hibernian during the 1930s. He was born in Athlone, Ireland. As an international he also played for both Ireland teams - the FAI XI and the IFA XI...
couldn't continue, but they held on with their backs to the wall for a 4-3 win and it still remains the highest scoring final in its long history. Jordan scored two goals within a minute during the first half to help Bohs on their way.
Jordan gave Bohemians ten seasons as a first-teamer. He clocked up exactly 100 League appearances from which he scored 37 goals, bowing out at the end of the 1940/41 season. In all he made 192 first team appearances in all competitions, scoring 67 goals.
International career
Jordan earned his first full international cap for the Irish Free State on April 8 1934 against NetherlandsNetherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
in a 5-2 defeat. Unfortunately for Jordan, he was injured and had to be replaced by fellow Bohemian Fred Horlacher
Fred Horlacher
Fred Horlacher was an Irish footballer who played for Bohemians in the League of Ireland during the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. As an international Horlacher represented both Ireland teams. He played as a senior for the FAI XI and as an amateur for the IFA XI...
. This was the first substitution ever to take place in an Irish international match.
His second cap came in October 1937 in a World Cup tie that ended 3-2 to Norway
Norway national football team
The Norway national football team represents Norway in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Norway, the governing body for football in Norway. Norway's home ground is Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo and their head coach is Egil Olsen...
in Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
.
Honours
- League of IrelandLeague of IrelandThe League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
: 2- Bohemians - 1933/34, 1935/36
- FAI CupFAI CupThe Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
: 1- Bohemians - 1935
- League of Ireland ShieldLeague of Ireland ShieldThe League of Ireland Shield is a defunct Irish football tournament which was introduced when the League of Ireland started in 1921 and ran uninterrupted until 1972...
: 1- Bohemians - 1934
- 2 Full Irish International Caps