William Orr (footballer)
Encyclopedia
William "Willie" Orr was a Scottish
football player and manager.
before moving to Preston North End
in 1894. It was at Celtic
though were he made his name. He made his debut in a 4-1 victory over Hibernian
in 1897 and helped lead Celtic to the Scottish title in his first season there. A strong, assured left-back, Orr's influence as a leader shone after he became Celtic captain in 1902 and captained the club to 3 league titles and 2 Scottish cups, including a double in 1906-07
.
in 1921. His leadership qualities showing again, Airdrie surprised many by finishing runners-up in Scotland in his second season, the club's highest ever league finish and a placement he would achieve for each of the following four seasons, narrowly missing out on the title each time. He also led Aidrie to the club's only ever major honour, the: 1924 Scottish Cup.
His success at Airdrie, prompted the interest of English side Leicester City
to replace the outgoing Peter Hodge
. Orr continued Hodge's passing style and in only the club's third ever season in the top flight finished in a respectable 7th position, to that point the club's highest ever finish. The side only continued to improve under Orr and the following season in 1927-28
the club finished 3rd in the league and the following season again, they finished runners-up, losing the title to Sheffield Wednesday
by a single point (and with Leicester having a superior goal average), these still remain the club's highest ever league finishes. Leicester began to fall though, after the loss of inspirational captain Johnny Duncan
who was deemed to have terminated his own contract after breaking the club rules in taking over the license of a local public house
. and in January 1932 he resigned on the back of six straight league defeats.
He soon took the hot seat at Falkirk
, but was banned for life in 1935 by the Scottish FA for a bribery scandel. Although the ban was lifted in 1937, Orr never returned to football.
Leicester City
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
football player and manager.
Playing career
Willie Orr began his career at AirdrieoniansAirdrieonians F.C.
Airdrieonians Football Club, more commonly known as Airdrie, were a Scottish professional football team from the town of Airdrie, in the Monklands area of Lanarkshire....
before moving to Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
in 1894. It was at Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
though were he made his name. He made his debut in a 4-1 victory over Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
in 1897 and helped lead Celtic to the Scottish title in his first season there. A strong, assured left-back, Orr's influence as a leader shone after he became Celtic captain in 1902 and captained the club to 3 league titles and 2 Scottish cups, including a double in 1906-07
1906-07 in Scottish football
The 1906–07 season was the 17th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: Celtic- Scottish League Division Two :...
.
Managerial career
Orr began his career as manager where he also began his playing career, at AirdrieoniansAirdrieonians F.C.
Airdrieonians Football Club, more commonly known as Airdrie, were a Scottish professional football team from the town of Airdrie, in the Monklands area of Lanarkshire....
in 1921. His leadership qualities showing again, Airdrie surprised many by finishing runners-up in Scotland in his second season, the club's highest ever league finish and a placement he would achieve for each of the following four seasons, narrowly missing out on the title each time. He also led Aidrie to the club's only ever major honour, the: 1924 Scottish Cup.
His success at Airdrie, prompted the interest of English side Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
to replace the outgoing Peter Hodge
Peter Hodge
Peter Hodge was a Scottish football manager who managed Raith Rovers, Stoke City, Manchester City and most notably Leicester City...
. Orr continued Hodge's passing style and in only the club's third ever season in the top flight finished in a respectable 7th position, to that point the club's highest ever finish. The side only continued to improve under Orr and the following season in 1927-28
1927-28 in English football
The 1927–28 season was the 53rd season of competitive football in England.-Events:This was the season in which Dixie Dean scored an astounding 60 goals in 39 league appearances for Everton – 58.8% of their seasons total .-Honours:...
the club finished 3rd in the league and the following season again, they finished runners-up, losing the title to Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
by a single point (and with Leicester having a superior goal average), these still remain the club's highest ever league finishes. Leicester began to fall though, after the loss of inspirational captain Johnny Duncan
Johnny Duncan (footballer)
John 'Johnny' Duncan was a Scottish football player and manager, who is most notable for his time at Leicester City.He captained the club to its greatest ever league finishes of 3rd and 2nd place in the First Division in 1927-28 and 1928-29 respectively...
who was deemed to have terminated his own contract after breaking the club rules in taking over the license of a local public house
Public house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
. and in January 1932 he resigned on the back of six straight league defeats.
He soon took the hot seat at Falkirk
Falkirk F.C.
Falkirk Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Falkirk. It is one of two professional football teams from the town, the other being East Stirlingshire...
, but was banned for life in 1935 by the Scottish FA for a bribery scandel. Although the ban was lifted in 1937, Orr never returned to football.
As a player
CelticCeltic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
- Division One Champions: 1897-981897-98 in Scottish footballThe season of 1897–98 in Scottish football was the eighth season of the Scottish Football League.-Scottish Division One:Celtic are champions of the Scottish Division One.-Scottish Division Two:...
, 1904-051904-05 in Scottish footballThe 1904–05 season was the 15th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish League Division One:Celtic became the champions after a playoff victory against Rangers after the two teams finished level on points.Champions: Celtic...
, 1905-061905-06 in Scottish footballThe 1905–06 season was the 16th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: Celtic-Scottish League division two:Next season there are eighteen teams in Division One and twelve teams in Division Two....
, 1906-071906-07 in Scottish footballThe 1906–07 season was the 17th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: Celtic- Scottish League Division Two :... - Scottish CupScottish CupThe Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
Winner: 1900, 1904, 1907
As a manager
AirdrieoniansAirdrieonians F.C.
Airdrieonians Football Club, more commonly known as Airdrie, were a Scottish professional football team from the town of Airdrie, in the Monklands area of Lanarkshire....
- Division One Runners-up: 1922-231922-23 in Scottish footballThe 1922–23 season was the 33rd season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: RangersRelegated: Albion Rovers, Alloa Athletic-Scottish League Division Two:...
, 1923-241923-24 in Scottish footballThe 1923–24 season was the 34th season of competitive football in Scotland. A Third Division was introduced adding to Division One and Division Two.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: RangersRelegated: Clyde, Clydebank...
, 1924-251924-25 in Scottish footballThe 1924–25 season was the 35th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: RangersRelegated: Ayr United, Third Lanark-Scottish League Division Two:...
, 1925-261925-26 in Scottish footballThe 1925–26 season was the 36th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: CelticRelegated: Raith Rovers, Clydebank-Scottish League Division Two:... - Scottish CupScottish CupThe Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
Winner: 1924
Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
- First DivisionFootball League First DivisionThe First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
Runners-up: 1928-291928-29 in English footballThe 1928–29 season was the 54th season of competitive football in England.-Honours:Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour...