Billy O'Rourke

William James O'Rourke (2 April 1960 – 28 January 2002) was an English professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He played in The Football League for four clubs.

Billy O'Rourke
Personal information
Full name William James O'Rourke
Date of birth (1960-04-02)2 April 1960
Place of birth Nottingham, England
Date of death 28 January 2002(2002-01-28) (aged 41)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
1976–1978 Burnley
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1978–1984 Burnley 14 (0)
1983 → Blackpool (loan) 6 (0)
1984 Chester City 5 (0)
1984–1987 Blackpool 92 (0)
1986 → Tranmere Rovers (loan) 15 (0)
1987–1988 Tranmere Rovers 38 (0)
Total 170 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Playing career

O'Rourke began his career as an apprentice with Burnley, with whom he turned professional in February 1978. His debut came away at QPR in October 1979, in a match shown on Match of the Day.[1] Burnley lost 7–0, with O'Rourke leaving the pitch in tears.[1] However, his performance led to the Burnley Express naming him as his side's man of the match.[1]

He went on to make 13 more league appearances for the Clarets before joining Blackpool on loan in August 1983, followed by a move to Chester City in March 1984. Just five appearances later he was back at Blackpool, this time on a permanent basis, playing every league game in the next two seasons. He was voted Player of the Year in his first full season.[2]

In September 1986 O'Rourke joined Tranmere Rovers on loan, making a permanent switch to Prenton Park the following February (1987). He remained with the club the following season before leaving Football League circles. He then joined ICI Thornton.[3]

O'Rourke died following a brain haemorrhage on 28 January 2002.[1]

Honours

Blackpool

References
  1. "Obituaries". The London Clarets. Archived from the original on 11 November 2007. Retrieved 23 January 2008.
  2. Gillatt, Peter (30 November 2009). Blackpool FC On This Day: History, Facts and Figures from Every Day of the Year. Pitch Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-905411-50-2.
  3. "Tranmere Rovers 1946/47-2006/07". Neil Brown. Retrieved 23 January 2008.
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