Profile

A 1923 match report captured Billy Lacey perfectly: "As for kicking Lacey as a hobby, I can assure you it’s a waste of time, the boy is made from solid rock. Dynamite could not shift him off the ball."

After impressing in Ireland, Everton spotted him and he joined the Blues in February 1909, though he only played 37 league games and scored 11 goals in three years.

Liverpool made one of their shrewdest transfer deals ever when they swapped Harold Uren for Lacey and Tom Gracie in late February 1912.

Lacey immediately went into the first-team, playing in the last 11 fixtures of that season, claiming one goal against Spurs on 16 March, 1912.

He was never a renowned goalscorer - he got just 29 from 259 league and cup appearances for the Reds - but his tricky wing-play set up numerous chances for his colleagues.

After making only 20 league appearances in 1912-13, Billy established himself firmly in the side the following year and helped Liverpool reach their first major cup final, but it was Burnley who took the FA Cup home with them after their 1-0 victory at the old Crystal Palace ground.

Lacey averaged over 30 league games a season for the next five years of competitive football, effectively a full decade because of the First World War, and was an important part of the side that won the First Division Championship two years running in the early 1920's.

You could spot Lacey a mile off as his "jutting chin was the delight of the cartoonists." He was also said to have a "rounded, lovable personality" and he was certainly popular with the Anfield faithful.

Lacey was only selected nine times during 1924-25, by which time he was approaching his mid-30's, and it was no real surprise that he was allowed to leave Liverpool to move across the Mersey to join the New Brighton club.

He moved back to his native Ireland in 1925 and retired from the game in 1931 at 42 years of age!

Other clubs:
Shelbourne, Everton, New Brighton, Shelbourne (2), Cork Bohemians