Bill Cleary (footballer, born 1931)

William Cleary (20 April 1931 – 12 March 1991) was an English footballer who played at half-back for Sunderland, Norwich City, Wisbech Town, Port Vale, Boston United, and King's Lynn.

Bill Cleary
Personal information
Full name William Cleary[1]
Date of birth (1931-04-20)20 April 1931[1]
Place of birth England[1]
Date of death 12 March 1991(1991-03-12) (aged 59)
Position(s) Half-back
Youth career
South Bank East End
Sunderland
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1953–1956 Norwich City 18 (0)
Wisbech Town
1957–1958 Port Vale 8 (0)
Boston United 0 (0)
Wisbech Town
King's Lynn
Total 26+ (0+)
Managerial career
Wisbech Town
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

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Cleary played for South Bank East End and Sunderland (without making a first-team appearance) before joining Norman Low's Norwich City in 1953. He played 18 Third Division South games for the "Canaries", as the Carrow Road club posted mid-table finishes in 1953–54, 1954–55, and 1955–56. He then played non-League football for Wisbech Town. He was signed again by Norman Low, now manager of Port Vale, in November 1957.[1] He played eight Third Division South and two FA Cup games in the 1957–58 season. Still, he failed to nail down a regular slot at Vale Park. He was transferred to Southern League side Boston United in July 1958.[1] He moved on to King's Lynn, before returning to old club Wisbech Town.[1] He became a coach, manager, and finally a director at the club.[1]

Career statistics

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Club Season Division League FA Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Norwich City 1953–54[2] Third Division South 4 0 1 0 5 0
1954–55[2] Third Division South 9 0 2 0 11 0
1955–56[2] Third Division South 5 0 0 0 5 0
Total 18 0 3 0 21 0
Port Vale 1957–58[2] Third Division South 8 0 2 0 10 0
Boston United 1958–59[3] Southern League North-West 0 0 0 0 0 0

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. p. 61. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
  2. ^ a b c d Bill Cleary at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
  3. ^ "Statistics Season 1958/59". www.bufc.drfox.org.uk. Retrieved 15 February 2023.