{{Short description|English footballer (born 2000)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}} {{Infobox football biography |name = Billy Crellin |image = |caption = |full_name = William Francis Crellin<ref name = "SW"/> |birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|6|30|df=y}}<ref name = "SW"/> |birth_place = Blackpool, England<ref name = "SW"/> |height = {{convert|1.85|m|order=flip}}<ref name = "SW"/> |position = Goalkeeper |currentclub = Glentoran |clubnumber = |youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2018 |youthclubs1 = Fleetwood Town |years1 = 2018–2022 |clubs1 = Fleetwood Town |caps1 = 5 |goals1 = 0 |years2 = 2018 |clubs2 = → FC United of Manchester (loan) |caps2 = 7 |goals2 = 0 |years3 = 2019 |clubs3 = → Chorley (loan) |caps3 = 9 |goals3 = 0 |years4 = 2020–2021 |clubs4 = → Bolton Wanderers (loan) |caps4 = 11 |goals4 = 0 |years5 = 2022–2025 |clubs5 = Everton |caps5 = 0 |goals5 = 0 |years6 = 2024–2025 |clubs6 = → Accrington Stanley (loan) |caps6 = 34 |goals6 = 0 |years7 = 2025– |clubs7 = Glentoran |caps7 = 1 |goals7 = 0 |nationalyears1 = 2017 |nationalteam1 = England U17 |nationalcaps1 = 1 |nationalgoals1 = 0 |nationalyears2 = 2017–2018 |nationalteam2 = England U18 |nationalcaps2 = 5 |nationalgoals2 = 0 |nationalyears3 = 2018 |nationalteam3 = England U19 |nationalcaps3 = 1 |nationalgoals3 = 0 |nationalyears4 = 2019 |nationalteam4 = England U20 |nationalcaps4 = 2 |nationalgoals4 = 0 | medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Men's football}} {{Medal|Country|{{fb|ENG}}}} {{MedalCompetition|FIFA U-17 World Cup}} {{Medal|W|2017 India|}} |club-update = 17:31, 31 December 2025 (UTC) }} '''William Francis Crellin''' (born 30 June 2000) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Glentoran.
Crellin began his club career at Fleetwood Town, spending time on loan at non-League clubs FC United of Manchester and Chorley, as well as a spell at Bolton Wanderers, where he was promoted out of League Two at the end of the 2020–21 season. He was sold to Everton in January 2022, though he did not play a first-team game for the club, and spent time on loan at Accrington Stanley.
Crellin was capped by England up to under-20 level and won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2017.
==Club career== ===Fleetwood Town=== Born in Blackpool,<ref name = "SW"/> Crellin turned professional at Fleetwood Town in the 2016–17 campaign after being invited to train with the first-team squad in Austria by manager Uwe Rösler.<ref>{{cite news |title=Billy Crellin named in England under 18's squad |url=https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/billy-crellin-named-in-england-under-18s-squad/ |access-date=30 July 2025 |work=Fleetwood Town FC |date=24 August 2017}}</ref> He was named on the Fleetwood bench on the last day of the 2017–18 season in what was John Sheridan's last game as head coach.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sheridan's final words of advice for young players at Fleetwood |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uksport/football/sheridans-final-words-of-advice-for-young-players-at-fleetwood-291529 |access-date=30 July 2025 |work=Blackpool Gazette |date=15 May 2018}}</ref> Crellin had previously been linked with a move to Wolverhampton Wanderers, though said he was prepared to fight Alex Cairns and Matthew Urwin for a starting place.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fleetwood Town keeper Crellin wants to kick on |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/fleetwood-town-keeper-crellin-wants-to-kick-on-272567 |access-date=30 July 2025 |work=Blackpool Gazette |date=26 July 2018 |language=en}}</ref> He had already made history at Highbury by becoming the first Fleetwood Town player to receive a call-up to an England age group, as well as being the first player from the club's new category three academy to sign a professional contract.<ref>{{cite news |title=England kid Crellin is backed to shine by Fleetwood boss Rosler |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/england-kid-crellin-is-backed-to-shine-by-fleetwood-boss-rosler-1086155 |access-date=30 July 2025 |work=Blackpool Gazette |date=25 August 2017 |language=en}}</ref>
On 1 August 2018, he joined National League North club FC United of Manchester on loan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/fleetwood-town-fc/fleetwood-academy-boss-donnelly-loans-to-benefit-crellin-and-co-1-9338006|title=Fleetwood academy boss Donnelly: Loans to benefit Crellin and co|date=6 September 2018|accessdate=15 January 2019|author=Rosie Swarbrick|publisher=Blackpool Gazette}}</ref><ref name = "loan">{{cite web|url=https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/billy-crellin-joins-fc-united-on-youth-loan-deal|title=Billy Crellin joins FC United on youth loan deal|date=1 August 2018|accessdate=26 October 2018|publisher=Fleetwood Town FC}}</ref> United struggled for form, leading to the departure of player-manager Tom Greaves, though Crellin performed well regardless at Broadhurst Park.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lees |first1=Neil |title=Stoppage-time equaliser earns FC United last gasp draw against Bradford Park Avenue |url=https://fc-utd.co.uk/news-story/stoppage-time-equaliser-earns-fc-united-last-gasp-draw-against-bradford-park-avenue |access-date=30 July 2025 |work=FC United of Manchester}}</ref> He played seven matches, conceding 15 goals and keeping two clean sheets.<ref>{{cite web |title=Billy Crellin |url=https://fcunitedfan.com/en/profiles/crellin_billy/ |website=fcunitedfan.com |access-date=30 July 2025 |language=en}}</ref> Crellin was recalled early on 20 September as Fleetwood manager Joey Barton felt that losing games of football would be bad for his development.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/fleetwood-town-fc/fleetwood-town-boss-barton-why-we-recalled-billy-crellin-from-fc-united-1-9359856|title=Fleetwood Town boss Barton: Why we recalled Billy Crellin from FC United|date=21 September 2018|accessdate=26 October 2018|author=Rosie Swarbrick|publisher=Blackpool Gazette}}</ref> In July 2019, he was the subject of a failed transfer bid from Premier League club Everton.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kirkbride |first1=Phil |title=Everton told to improve bid for England youth international |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/everton-transfer-latest-billy-crellin-16580035 |access-date=30 July 2025 |work=Liverpool Echo |date=13 July 2019 |language=en}}</ref> On 16 August 2019, he moved on loan to National League club Chorley until 3 November.<ref>{{cite news |title=Billy Crellin joins National League side Chorley on loan |url=https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/billy-crellin-joins-national-league-side-chorley-on-loan/ |access-date=30 July 2025 |work=Fleetwood Town FC |date=16 August 2019}}</ref> He kept two clean sheets in nine games at Victory Park before being recalled on 27 September.<ref>{{cite news |title=Billy Crellin recalled from loan at Chorley |url=https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/billy-crellin-recalled-from-loan-at-chorley/ |access-date=30 July 2025 |work=Fleetwood Town FC |date=27 September 2019}}</ref>
On 3 August 2020, he signed on loan for Bolton Wanderers.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ricardo Santos and Billy Crellin: Bolton Wanderers sign Barnet defender and Fleetwood Town goalkeeper |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53641509 |access-date=30 July 2025 |work=BBC Sport |date=3 August 2020}}</ref> His debut at the University of Bolton Stadium came on 5 September in Bolton's first match of the season, a 2–1 defeat to Bradford City in the first round of the EFL Cup.<ref>{{cite news |title=Report: Bolton Wanderers 1–2 Bradford City {{!}} Bolton Wanderers FC |url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2020/september/report-bolton-wanderers-1-2-bradford-city |access-date=30 July 2025 |work=Bolton Wanderers FC |date=5 September 2020 |language=en}}</ref> On 28 September, Crellin was defended by Bolton head coach Ian Evatt after being criticised for perceived errors in games.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Iles |first1=Marc |title="No criticism" – Wanderers boss Evatt backs keeper Crellin after Newport defeat |url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/18753612.bolton-wanderers-boss-ian-evatt-wont-criticise-keeper-newport-defeat/ |access-date=30 July 2025 |work=The Bolton News |date=28 September 2020 |language=en}}</ref> A month later however, Evatt criticised Crellin, stating that he needed to "man up" and that Bolton could not afford for their goalkeeper to keep making so many mistakes, after Crellin was at fault for two of Barrow's goals in a 3–3 draw and four days later scored an own goal in a 1–1 draw with Cambridge United.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Iles |first1=Marc |title=MATCH REACTION: Cambridge United 1 Bolton Wanderers 1 |url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/18820235.cambridge-united-1-bolton-wanderers-1---ian-evatts-post-match-reaction/ |access-date=30 July 2025 |work=The Bolton News |date=24 October 2020 |language=en}}</ref> In the next match, Crellin saved a penalty to help Bolton beat Bradford City 1–0,<ref>{{cite news |title=Bolton Wanderers 1–0 Bradford City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54610211 |access-date=30 July 2025 |work=BBC Sport |date=27 October 2020}}</ref> and was voted man of the match by the Bolton fans.<ref>{{Cite tweet |user=OfficialBWFC |number=1321229876536528902 |title=⛔️ 𝘕𝘰 𝘞𝘢𝘺 𝘗𝘢𝘴𝘵 @BillyCrellin1.🍾 You voted the Wanderers stopper the Man of the Match after tonight's victory.Well played, Billy! 👏🏻#BWFC 🐘🏰}}</ref> Evatt praised Crellin for responding to the criticism by putting on the man of the match display.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Iles |first1=Marc |title=MATCH REACTION: Bolton Wanderers 1 Bradford City 0 |url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/18826621.bolton-1-bradford-0-ian-evatt-billy-crellin-penalty-save-first-home-win/ |access-date=30 July 2025 |work=The Bolton News |date=27 October 2020 |language=en}}</ref> Crellin continued to make mistakes, however,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Iles |first1=Marc |title=Bolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt poised to make decision on keeper Billy Crellin |url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/18856367.will-bolton-boss-ian-evatt-stick-goalkeeper-billy-crellin-salford/ |access-date=30 July 2025 |work=The Bolton News |date=9 November 2020 |language=en}}</ref> and on 13 November he was dropped to the bench for Bolton's derby match against Salford City.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bolton Wanderers 2–0 Salford City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54835447 |access-date=30 July 2025 |work=BBC Sport |date=13 November 2020}}</ref> He then spent the rest of the 2020–21 season as a back-up goalkeeper, first to Matt Gilks, and then to both Gilks and January signing Lukas Jensen.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lord |first1=Adam |title=Bolton boss Ian Evatt on Billy Crellin's status and Tom White's exit |url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/19070212.bolton-boss-not-shut-door-fleetwood-loanee/ |access-date=30 July 2025 |work=The Bolton News |date=6 February 2021 |language=en}}</ref> Bolton were promoted out of League Two in third place.<ref name=prom/>
===Everton=== On 31 January 2022, Crellin joined Everton for an undisclosed fee on a two-and-a-half-year deal, linking up with their under-23 squad.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2468671/under-23s-seal-deal-for-keeper-crellin|title=Under-23s Seal Deal For Keeper Crellin|website=Everton FC|date=31 January 2022|accessdate=1 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/crellin-everton/|title=Goalkeeper Billy Crellin signs for Everton|website=www.fleetwoodtownfc.com|date=31 January 2022|accessdate=1 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Everton transfer news: Tottenham's Dele Alli joins on permanent deal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60207597 |access-date=30 July 2025 |work=BBC Sport |date=1 February 2022}}</ref> He had come from an Everton-supporting family and said it was "surreal" to join his boyhood club.<ref name="toffeeweb">{{cite web |title=Billy Crellin {{!}} Everton Player Profile |url=https://www.toffeeweb.com/players/profiles/Crellin.php |website=www.toffeeweb.com |access-date=30 July 2025}}</ref> In September 2023, shortly after Asmir Begović left Goodison Park,<ref name="toffeeweb"/> Crellin signed a new two-year contract.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lewis |first1=Daniel |title=Everton agree terms with goalkeeper Billy Crellin as contract signed |url=https://www.goodisonnews.com/2023/09/20/everton-transfer-news-billy-crellin-new-goodison-park-contract/ |access-date=30 July 2025 |work=Goodison News |date=20 September 2023}}</ref> However, he was limited to under-21 and under-23 appearances, featuring on the first-team bench only for the last Premier League game of the 2023–24 season.<ref name="toffeeweb"/>
On 30 August 2024, he joined League Two club Accrington Stanley on loan for the 2024–25 campaign.<ref>{{cite news |title=Billy Crellin & Sonny Aljofree: Everton keeper and Man Utd defender join Accrington on loan |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cn02znd817do |access-date=30 July 2025 |work=BBC Sport |date=30 August 2024}}</ref> Manager John Doolan wanted to provide competition for number one Michael Kelly, in addition to Liam Isherwood and James Rogerson.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pearson |first1=Luke |title=Billy joins on loan |url=https://www.accringtonstanley.co.uk/news/2024/august/30/signing-billy-joins-on-loan/ |access-date=30 July 2025 |work=Accrington Stanley FC |date=30 August 2024}}</ref> He played a total of 38 games for Accrington.<ref name = "2024-25"/> On 9 June 2025, Everton announced that Crellin would be departing the club at the end of the month upon the expiration of his contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2025/june/09/everton-player-contracts-update/|title=Everton Player Contracts Update|website=Everton FC|date=9 June 2025|accessdate=9 June 2025}}</ref> He spent July 2025 on trial at Port Vale.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fielding |first1=Rob |title=Port Vale take former Everton goalkeeper on trial – onevalefan.co.uk |url=https://www.onevalefan.co.uk/2025/07/port-vale-take-former-everton-goalkeeper-on-trial/ |access-date=30 July 2025 |work=OneValeFan |date=30 July 2025}}</ref>
===Glentoran=== He signed for NIFL Premiership club Glentoran in October 2025.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/football/i-jumped-at-the-chance-to-be-here-new-glentoran-keeper-aiming-to-make-his-mark-at-the-oval-5382970|title=Billy Crellin: 'This is a massive club in Northern Ireland with a proud history and passionate supporters'|date=31 October 2025|website=Belfast News Letter}}</ref> He made his debut on 4 November 2025 during the 2–1 victory against Crusaders in the Irish Cup.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 November 2025 |title=Glentoran overcome Crusaders and Oval mist to book spot in BetMcLean Cup last eight (Glentoran 2 Crusaders 1) |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/irish-league/glentoran-overcome-crusaders-and-oval-mist-to-book-spot-in-betmclean-cup-last-eight/a1801451245.html |access-date=22 January 2026 |website=Belfast Telegraph}}</ref> He made his NIFL Premiership debut for Glentoran on 19 December 2025 as a substitute for the injured Andrew Mills during the 2–1 victory against Coleraine.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 December 2025 |title=Glens come from behind to beat 10-man Coleraine – as it happened |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c1e4vwz6d72t |access-date=31 December 2025 |website=BBC Sport}}</ref>
==International career== Crellin has represented England at under-17 to under-20 youth levels.<ref name = "loan"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/billy-crellin-named-in-england-u19-squad/|title=Billy Crellin named in England U19 squad|date=31 August 2018|accessdate=26 October 2018|publisher=Fleetwood Town FC}}</ref> In October 2017, Crellin was included in the squad for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stone |first1=Simon |title=Jadon Sancho joins England U-17 World Cup squad |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41495760 |access-date=30 July 2025 |work=BBC Sport |date=4 October 2017}}</ref> Manager Steve Cooper selected him to serve as Curtis Anderson's back-up.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rosler calls on Fleetwood kid Crellin to be patient after bench role in England's opening World Cup game |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/rosler-calls-on-fleetwood-kid-crellin-to-be-patient-after-bench-role-in-englands-opening-world-cup-game-1075684 |access-date=30 July 2025 |work=Blackpool Gazette |date=8 October 2017 |language=en}}</ref> His only appearance in the tournament was a group stage match against Iraq.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thefa.com/news/2017/oct/14/england-u17s-v-iraq-match-report---141017|title=Young Lions beat Iraq 4–0 in Kolkata to seal spot in U17 World Cup knock-out stage|date=14 October 2017|accessdate=21 November 2018|publisher=The Football Association}}</ref> On 14 October 2019, Crellin made his England U20 debut against the Czech Republic at Peterborough United.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thefa.com/news/2019/oct/14/england-mu20s-czech-republic-report-141019|title=England Mu20s Miss Out As Czech Republic Prevail At Peterborough United|date=14 October 2019|accessdate=16 October 2019|publisher=The Football Association}}</ref>
==Style of play== Crellin is an agile goalkeeper who is comfortable with the ball at his feet.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wanderers land highly-rated keeper on loan {{!}} Bolton Wanderers FC |url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2020/august/wanderers-land-highly-rated-keeper-on-loan |access-date=30 July 2025 |work=Bolton Wanderers FC |date=30 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
==Career statistics== {{updated|match played 19 December 2025}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup !colspan="2"|League cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="5"|Fleetwood Town |2018–19<ref>{{soccerbase season|108962|2018|accessdate=25 June 2022}}</ref> |League One |0||0||0||0||0||0||1{{Efn|name=FLT|Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy.}}||0||1||0 |- |2019–20<ref>{{soccerbase season|108962|2019|accessdate=25 June 2022}}</ref> |League One |5||0||2||0||0||0||1{{Efn|name=FLT}}||0||8||0 |- |2020–21<ref name = "2020-21">{{soccerbase season|108962|2020|accessdate=25 June 2022}}</ref> |League One |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |2021–22<ref name = "2021-22">{{soccerbase season|108962|2021|accessdate=25 June 2022}}</ref> |League One |0||0||0||0||0||0||4{{Efn|name=FLT}}||0||4||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !5!!0!!2!!0!!0!!0!!6!!0!!13!!0 |- |F.C. United of Manchester (loan) |2018–19<ref name = "SW">{{Soccerway|william-francis-crellin/514116|accessdate=7 September 2020}}</ref> |National League North |7||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||7||0 |- |Chorley (loan) |2019–20<ref name = "SW"/> |National League |9||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||9||0 |- |Bolton Wanderers (loan) |2020–21<ref name = "2020-21"/> |League Two |11||0||1||0||1||0||3{{Efn|name=FLT|Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy.}}||0||16||0 |- |rowspan="3"|Everton U21 |2022–23<ref name = "2022-23"/> |colspan="3"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1{{Efn|name=FLT}}||0||1||0 |- |2023–24<ref name = "2023-24"/> |colspan="3"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||2{{Efn|name=FLT}}||0||2||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!3!!0!!3!!0 |- |rowspan="5"|Everton |2021–22<ref name = "2021-22"/> |Premier League |0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0 |- |2022–23<ref name = "2022-23">{{soccerbase season|108962|2022|accessdate=11 September 2022}}</ref> |Premier League |0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0 |- |2023–24<ref name = "2023-24">{{soccerbase season|108962|2023|accessdate=24 September 2023}}</ref> |Premier League |0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0 |- |2024–25<ref name = "2024-25">{{soccerbase season|108962|2024|accessdate=5 October 2024}}</ref> |Premier League |0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0 |- |Accrington Stanley (loan) |2024–25<ref name = "2024-25"/> |League Two |34||0||3||0||colspan="2"|—||1{{Efn|name=FLT}}||0||38||0 |- |Glentoran |2025–26 |NIFL Premiership |1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||1||0 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !67!!0!!6!!0!!1!!0!!13!!0!!87!!0 |} {{notelist}}
==Honours== '''England U17''' *FIFA U-17 World Cup: 2017<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46800068|title=England's U17 World Cup winners – where are they now?|date=17 January 2019|accessdate=17 January 2019|author=Shamoon Hafez|publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref>
'''Bolton Wanderers''' *EFL League Two third-place promotion: 2020–21<ref name=prom>{{cite web |title=Bolton Wanderers 2020–21 squad statistics |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=354&teamTabs=stats |website=Soccerbase |access-date=6 May 2025 }}<br />{{cite web |title=England – Bolton Wanderers FC – Results, fixtures, squad, statistics, photos, videos and news – Soccerway |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/teams/england/bolton-wanderers/666/squad/ |website=uk.soccerway.com |access-date=6 May 2025 }}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Crellin, Billy}} Category:2000 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from Blackpool Category:English men's footballers Category:England men's youth international footballers Category:Men's association football goalkeepers Category:Fleetwood Town F.C. players Category:F.C. United of Manchester players Category:Chorley F.C. players Category:Bolton Wanderers F.C. players Category:Everton F.C. players Category:Accrington Stanley F.C. players Category:National League (English football) players Category:English Football League players Category:21st-century English sportsmen Category:Glentoran F.C. players