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	20 April 1931[1]
Place of birth	England[1]
Date of death	12 March 1991 (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
	Wisbech Town
	King's Lynn
Total		26+	(0+)
Teams managed
	Wisbech Town
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Playing career

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 outfit 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, but failed to nail down a regular slot at Vale Park and so 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]

Statistics

Source:[2]

Club	Season	Division	League		FA Cup		Total
			Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Norwich City	1953–54	Third Division South	4	0	1	0	5	0
	1954–55	Third Division South	9	0	2	0	11	0
	1955–56	Third Division South	5	0	0	0	5	0
	Total		18	0	3	0	21	0
Port Vale	1957–58	Third Division South	8	0	2	0	10	0

References

1. Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. p. 61. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
2. Bill Cleary at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)