{{Short description|Irish footballer and manager}} {{more footnotes needed|date=February 2022}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}} {{Use Hiberno-English|date=February 2022}} {{for|the fictional character|Billy Bathgate (film)}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Billy Behan | image = | caption = | fullname = William Behan | birth_date = {{birth date|1911|8|8|df=y}} | birth_place = Dublin, Ireland | death_date = {{death date and age|1991|11|11|1911|8|8|df=y}} | height = | position = Goalkeeper | years1 = 1930–1931 |clubs1 = Shamrock Rovers |caps1 = ? |goals1 = ? | years2 = 1931–1933 |clubs2 = Shelbourne |caps2 = ? |goals2 = ? | years3 = 1933–1934 |clubs3 = Manchester United |caps3 = 1 |goals3 = 0 | years4 = 1934 |clubs4 = Shelbourne |caps4 = ? |goals4 = ? | years5 = 1934–1936 |clubs5 = Shamrock Rovers |caps5 = ? |goals5 = ? | manageryears1 = 1953–1954 |managerclubs1 = Drumcondra }} '''William Behan''' (8 August 1911 – 12 November 1991) was an Irish footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Shelbourne, Shamrock Rovers and Manchester United during the 1930s.
He made his Rovers debut on 8 February 1931 in a 5–1 win over Bray Unknowns at Milltown. In his first season, he won the FAI Cup.
Behan signed for Manchester United in September 1933, along with fellow Irishman David Byrne — they were the first players from the south of Ireland to play for the club in over a decade.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.soccer-ireland.com/manchester-united/irish-footballers.htm |title=Irish Footballers that Played for Manchester United |website=Soccer-Ireland.com |access-date=2011-06-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831121719/http://www.soccer-ireland.com/manchester-united/irish-footballers.htm |archive-date=2018-08-31 |url-status=live}}</ref>
He made his United debut in an English Second Division home game against Bury on 3 March 1934. The following July, he briefly returned to Shelbourne before again returning to Rovers. Over the next two seasons, he won another FAI Cup and a League of Ireland Shield. His last game for the Hoops was on 23 August 1936 in a Shield win over Drumcondra.
After his retirement as a player he became a respected referee and was in charge of the 1943 FAI Cup Final. He then managed Drumcondra in the 1950s where he won the FAI Cup again.
Behan subsequently became United's chief scout in the Republic of Ireland and is credited with discovering, among others, Johnny Carey, Liam Whelan, Tony Dunne, Don Givens, Kevin Moran and Paul McGrath.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ryan |first=Sean |date=25 April 1982 |title='Black Pearl' is off to Man. United |url=https://archive.irishnewsarchive.com/olive/APA/INA.Edu/SharedView.Article.aspx?href=SIN/1982/04/25&id=Ar00105&sk=44083F03&viewMode=image |access-date=2025-10-22 |website=archive.irishnewsarchive.com}}</ref> He also served as vice chairman of the Dalkey-based Leinster Senior League team, Dalkey United and it was through this association that he discovered McGrath.
Behan's father, William Sr., was one of the founder members of Shamrock Rovers. His brothers John and Paddy also played for Rovers. His son kept goal for Rovers side also for a spell. His second cousin was Bob Fullam.
==Honours==
===As a player=== ;Shamrock Rovers *FAI Cup (2): 1931, 1936 *League of Ireland Shield (1): 1934–35
===As a manager=== ;Drumcondra *FAI Cup (1): 1954
==Sources== *{{Citation |last=McGrath |first=Paul |authorlink1=Paul McGrath (footballer) |first2=Vincent |last2=Hogan |authorlink2=Vincent Hogan |title=Back From the Brink |publisher=Arrow |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-09-949955-8}} *''The Boys In Green – The FAI International Story'' (1997): Sean Ryan *''The Hoops'' by Paul Doolan and Robert Goggins ({{ISBN|0-7171-2121-6}})
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.mufcinfo.com/manupag/legends/behanpag/behan.html Profile] {{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} at MUFCInfo.com * {{WorldFootball.net|bill-behan|Bill Behan}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Behan, Billy}} Category:1911 births Category:1991 deaths Category:People from Dalkey Category:Sportspeople from Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown Category:Association footballers from County Dublin Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers Category:Men's association football goalkeepers Category:League of Ireland players Category:Shelbourne F.C. players Category:Shamrock Rovers F.C. players Category:Manchester United F.C. players Category:Manchester United F.C. non-playing staff Category:Republic of Ireland association football managers Category:League of Ireland managers Category:English Football League players Category:Republic of Ireland association football referees Category:Drumcondra F.C. managers Category:20th-century Irish sportsmen