Billy Crone
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | William Crone | ||
| Date of birth | 31 August 1863 | ||
| Place of birth | Belfast, Ireland | ||
| Date of death | 8 November 1944 (aged 81) | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1881–1893 | Distillery | 290 | (0) |
| International career | |||
| 1882–1890 | Ireland | 12 | (1) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1896–19xx | Distillery | ||
| 1897 | Ireland | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Billy Crone (31 August 1863 – 8 November 1944) also referred to as William Crone was an Irish footballer who played for Distillery and Ireland during the 1880s and 1890s. After retiring as a player he also coached both Distillery and Ireland. On 20 February 1897 he became the first coach in the history of modern football to take charge of a national team. Crone's younger brother Bob Crone was also a notable footballer, playing for Glentoran, Middlesbrough, West Bromwich Albion and Notts County, as well as Distillery and Ireland. Crone, an all-round athletic, was also a useful cricketer and distance runner.