Billy O'Rourke
Encyclopedia
William James "Billy" O'Rourke (born 2 April 1960, Nottingham
; died 28 January 2002) was an English
professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper
. He played in The Football League
for four different clubs.
, who he turned professional with in February 1978. His debut came away at QPR in October 1979, in a match shown on Match of the Day
. Burnley lost 7–0, with O’Rourke leaving the pitch in tears. However, his performance led to the Burnley Express
naming him as his side’s man of the match.
He went on to make 13 more league appearances for the Clarets before joining Blackpool
on loan in August 1983, followed by a move to Chester City
in March 1984. Just five appearances later he was back at Blackpool, this time on a permanent basis, playing every league game in the next two seasons. He was voted Player of the Year in his first full season.
In September 1986 O'Rourke joined Tranmere Rovers
on loan, making a permanent switch to Prenton Park
the following February. He remained with the club the following season before leaving Football League
circles. He then joined ICI Thornton.
O'Rourke died following a brain haemorrhage on 28 January 2002.
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
; died 28 January 2002) was an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
. He played in The Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
for four different clubs.
Playing career
O'Rourke began his career as an apprentice with BurnleyBurnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
, who he turned professional with in February 1978. His debut came away at QPR in October 1979, in a match shown on Match of the Day
Match of the Day
Match of the Day is the BBC's main football television programme. Typically, it is shown on BBC One on Saturday evenings during the English football season, showing highlights of the day's matches in English football's top division, the Premier League...
. Burnley lost 7–0, with O’Rourke leaving the pitch in tears. However, his performance led to the Burnley Express
Burnley Express
For the cricketer with the same nickname, see James Anderson .The Burnley Express is a newspaper for Burnley and Padiham, England and surrounding area. It is printed twice weekly on Tuesday and Friday - which is the larger edition. It has been in print since 1877 and is now part of the Johnston...
naming him as his side’s man of the match.
He went on to make 13 more league appearances for the Clarets before joining Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
on loan in August 1983, followed by a move to Chester City
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
in March 1984. Just five appearances later he was back at Blackpool, this time on a permanent basis, playing every league game in the next two seasons. He was voted Player of the Year in his first full season.
In September 1986 O'Rourke joined Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
on loan, making a permanent switch to Prenton Park
Prenton Park
Prenton Park is an association football stadium in Birkenhead, England. It is the home ground of Tranmere Rovers F.C. The club moved to the current Prenton Park in 1912. The ground has had several rebuilds, with the most recent occurring in 1995 in response to the requirement of the Taylor Report...
the following February. He remained with the club the following season before leaving Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
circles. He then joined ICI Thornton.
O'Rourke died following a brain haemorrhage on 28 January 2002.
Honours
Blackpool- Football League Fourth DivisionFootball League Fourth DivisionThe Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
runners-up: 1984–851984-85 in English footballThe 1984–85 season was the 105th season of competitive football in England.-Bradford City disaster:56 spectators died and more than 200 were injured when a fire ripped through the Main Stand at Valley Parade during Bradford City's Third Division fixture with Lincoln City on 11 May...
(46 apps)