William Whelan: Man United forward Profile & Stats
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Portrait of William Whelan

William Whelan

Position: forward

Republic of Ireland Republic of Ireland flag

PWDLFA

HAN P W D L F A Diff Win%
H 45 32 6 7 123 47 +76 71.11
A 51 27 10 14 110 80 +30 52.94
N 2 1 0 1 3 2 +1 50.00
TOTALS 98 60 16 22 236 129 +107 61.22

Name: William Augustine "Billy" Whelan
Birthdate: 01-04-1935
Age: 90
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
Height: 5' 10" (1.78m)
Weight: 11st 11lbs (74.84kg)
Years at Club: 1954-1958
Signing Info: Signed Trainee: 05/1953
Previous Clubs:
Debut: 26/03/1955 v Preston North End (A) 2-0 (League Division One)
Farewell: Died of injuries sustained in Munich Air Crash, 06/02/1958
Passed Away: 06/02/1958

Biography

Liam "Billy" Whelan was an exceptionally talented Irish forward and one of Manchester United's celebrated Busby Babes. Born in Dublin, Whelan began his career at Home Farm and joined United in 1953. He debuted in the first team in 1954, quickly establishing himself as a natural goal-scorer, known for his calm demeanor, precise shooting, and sharp positioning.

Over four seasons, Whelan scored 43 goals in 79 league appearances, playing a crucial role in United's First Division titles in 1955-56 and 1956-57. His knack for scoring with either foot and from difficult angles made him a beloved player among fans and a key asset to Matt Busby's young team.

Whelan was deeply religious, and though he avoided alcohol and held onto a quiet, humble lifestyle, he brought vibrancy to United's attack. His career was tragically cut short in the Munich air disaster on February 6, 1958, at just 22 years old, alongside several teammates. Remembered as one of Ireland's brightest footballing talents, Whelan's legacy is marked by his goal-scoring prowess and the promise he showed in the early years of Manchester United's post-war success. His dedication, humility, and contributions to United have left a lasting impact on the club and its fans.
 
Season Goals Season Apps
League Goals League Apps LC Goals LC Apps FAC Goals FAC Apps CS Goals CS Apps EC Goals EC Apps Europa Goals Europa Apps SC Goals SC Apps CWC Goals CWC Apps IC Goals IC Apps CWC Goals CWC Apps Season
Goals
Season
Apps
1. 1954-1955 1 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 7
2. 1955-1956 4 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 13
3. 1956-1957 26 39 0 0 4 6 0 1 3 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 33 54
4. 1957-1958 12 20 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 24
TOTALS 43 79 0 0 4 6 0 2 5 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 52 98

Detailed Match & Performance Charts

MUFC Player Goals MUFC Player Appearances MUFC Player Opponent Manager MUFC Player Club Manager
No Opponent Goals Appearances
No MUFC Managers Count
Stadiums Competition Opponents Opponent Nationality
No Competition Count
1. League Division One 79
2. European Cup 11
3. FA Cup 6
4. Charity Shield 2
No Opponent Count
1. Everton 6
2. Aston Villa 6
3. Preston North End 5
4. Sunderland 5
5. Newcastle United 4
6. Chelsea 4
7. Arsenal 4
8. Bolton Wanderers 4
9. Birmingham City 4
10. Manchester City 4
11. Blackpool 4
12. Sheffield United 3
13. West Bromwich Albion 3
14. Burnley 3
15. Wolverhampton Wanderers 3
16. Cardiff City 3
17. Portsmouth 3
18. Sheffield Wednesday 3
19. Leeds United 3
20. Tottenham Hotspur 3
21. Leicester City 2
22. Luton Town 2
23. Anderlecht 2
24. Charlton Athletic 2
25. Borussia Dortmund 2
26. Athletic Bilbao 2
27. Real Madrid 2
28. Dukla Prague 2
29. Hartlepool United 1
30. Wrexham 1
31. Bournemouth 1
32. Shamrock Rovers 1
33. Nottingham Forest 1
No Opponent Nationality Count
1. England 83
2. Wales 4
3. Spain 4
4. Belgium 2
5. Germany 2
6. Czech Republic 2
7. Ireland 1
Roy Keane own goal v Real Madrid Old Trafford 2000 Cup Finals
No Date Opponent Competition Own Goals
Player has never scored an own goal against the club.
No Date Opponent WDL F-A Competition
1. 24-10-1956 Manchester City W 1-0 Charity Shield
2. 04-05-1957 Aston Villa L 1-2 FA Cup
3. 22-10-1957 Aston Villa W 4-0 Charity Shield
Penalties scored for Manchester United Manchester United Hat-Tricks
No Date Opponents Competition Penaltys
Player has never scored a penalty for the club.
No Date Opponent Competition Goals
1. 19-04-1957 Burnley League Division One 3
2. 24-08-1957 Leicester City League Division One 3
 
Red Cards  
No Date Opponent Competition
Player has never been sent off during a match.
 

All Matches played

No Date Comp Opponent WDL F-A HAN Goal!! Scorers Opponent scorers
1. 26-03-1955 Div 1 Preston North End Win 2-0 A 0 Albert Scanlon 14', Roger Byrne 60' (pen)
2. 02-04-1955 Div 1 Sheffield United Win 5-0 H 1 Tommy Taylor 17', 65', Johnny Berry 66', Dennis Viollet 73', Billy Whelan 86'
3. 08-04-1955 Div 1 Sunderland Loss 3-4 A 0 Duncan Edwards 16', 52', Albert Scanlon 44' Ken Chisholm 26', 49', 51', Stan Anderson 86'
4. 09-04-1955 Div 1 Leicester City Loss 0-1 A 0 Jack Froggatt 30'
5. 11-04-1955 Div 1 Sunderland Draw 2-2 H 0 Tommy Taylor 2', Roger Byrne (pen) 80' Ken Chisholm 20', Billy Bingham 43'
6. 16-04-1955 Div 1 West Bromwich Albion Win 3-0 H 0 Tommy Taylor 43', 85', Dennis Viollet 82'
7. 18-04-1955 Div 1 Newcastle United Loss 0-2 A 0 George Hannah 52', Len White 69'
8. 10-09-1955 Div 1 Sheffield United Loss 0-1 A 0 Mark Jones 85' (o.g.)
9. 14-09-1955 Div 1 Everton Loss 2-4 A 0 Colin Webster 14', Jackie Blanchflower 43' John Parker 12', 47', Eddie Wainwright 64', Tommy Eglington 82'
10. 14-01-1956 Div 1 Sheffield United Win 3-1 H 0 Tommy Taylor 2', Johnny Berry 55', David Pegg 80' Tom Hoyland 47'
11. 21-01-1956 Div 1 Preston North End Loss 1-3 A 1 Billy Whelan 11' *Eddie Lewis 9', Tommy Thompson 47', Bobby Foster 85'
12. 04-02-1956 Div 1 Burnley Win 2-0 H 0 Tommy Taylor 46', Dennis Viollet 65'
13. 11-02-1956 Div 1 Luton Town Win 2-0 A 1 Dennis Viollet 7', Billy Whelan 84'
14. 18-02-1956 Div 1 Wolves Win 2-0 A 0 Tommy Taylor 30', 71'
15. 25-02-1956 Div 1 Aston Villa Win 1-0 H 1 Billy Whelan 54'
16. 03-03-1956 Div 1 Chelsea Win 4-2 A 0 David Pegg 26', Dennis Viollet 60', 69', Tommy Taylor 89' Eric Parsons 21', Roy Bentley 22'
17. 10-03-1956 Div 1 Cardiff City Draw 1-1 H 0 Roger Byrne 49' (pen) Gerry Hitchens 77'
18. 17-03-1956 Div 1 Arsenal Draw 1-1 A 0 Dennis Viollet 54' Cliff Holton 76'
19. 24-03-1956 Div 1 Bolton Wanderers Win 1-0 H 0 Tommy Taylor 30'
20. 14-04-1956 Div 1 Sunderland Draw 2-2 A 1 Wilf McGuinness 26', Billy Whelan 62' Stan Anderson 27' (pen), Billy Elliott 38'
21. 18-08-1956 Div 1 Birmingham City Draw 2-2 H 0 Dennis Viollet 30', 80' Mark Jones 67' (o.g.), Alex Govan 70'
22. 20-08-1956 Div 1 Preston North End Win 3-1 A 1 Tommy Taylor 12', 77', Billy Whelan 67' Ken Waterhouse 44'
23. 25-08-1956 Div 1 West Bromwich Albion Win 3-2 A 1 Tommy Taylor 13', Dennis Viollet 74', Billy Whelan 82' Ronnie Allen 47', George Lee 72'
24. 29-08-1956 Div 1 Preston North End Win 3-2 H 0 Dennis Viollet 14', 37', 65' Sammy Taylor 34', Tom Finney 44' (pen)
25. 01-09-1956 Div 1 Portsmouth Win 3-0 H 0 Johnny Berry 26', Dennis Viollet 33', David Pegg 74'
26. 05-09-1956 Div 1 Chelsea Win 2-1 A 1 Tommy Taylor 39', Billy Whelan 86' Frank Blunstone 35'
27. 08-09-1956 Div 1 Newcastle United Draw 1-1 A 1 Billy Whelan 65' Jackie Milburn 85'
28. 12-09-1956 EC/UCL Anderlecht Win 2-0 A 0 Dennis Viollet 27', Tommy Taylor 75'
29. 15-09-1956 Div 1 Sheffield Wednesday Win 4-1 H 1 Dennis Viollet 5', Billy Whelan 19', Johnny Berry 32', Tommy Taylor 75' *Albert Quixall 55'
30. 22-09-1956 Div 1 Manchester City Win 2-0 H 1 Dennis Viollet 37', Billy Whelan 70'
31. 26-09-1956 EC/UCL Anderlecht Win 10-0 H 2 Tommy Taylor 8', 20', 54', Dennis Viollet 26', 39', 40', 75', Billy Whelan 63', 89', Johnny Berry 78'
32. 29-09-1956 Div 1 Arsenal Win 2-1 A 1 Billy Whelan 10', Johnny Berry 35' (pen) Dennis Evans 65' (pen)
33. 06-10-1956 Div 1 Charlton Athletic Win 4-2 H 1 Johnny Berry 25', Bobby Charlton 32', 37', Billy Whelan 65' Fred Lucas 24', Bobby Ayre 40'
34. 13-10-1956 Div 1 Sunderland Win 3-1 A 1 Dennis Viollet 19', Billy Whelan 49', William Morrison 73' (o.g.) Ted Purdon 20'
35. 17-10-1956 EC/UCL Borussia Dortmund Win 3-2 H 0 Dennis Viollet 10', 26', David Pegg 30' Helmut Kapitulski 80', Alfred Preibler 87'
36. 20-10-1956 Div 1 Everton Loss 2-5 H 1 Bobby Charlton 10', Billy Whelan 52', Don Donovan 17', George Kirby 38', 76', Tommy Eglington 44', Tony McNamara 90'
37. 24-10-1956 CS Manchester City Win 1-0 A 0 Dennis Viollett 75'
38. 27-10-1956 Div 1 Blackpool Draw 2-2 A 0 Tommy Taylor 25', 90' David Durie 23', Jackie Mudie 55'
39. 03-11-1956 Div 1 Wolves Win 3-0 H 1 Billy Whelan 2', David Pegg 20', Tommy Taylor 80'
40. 10-11-1956 Div 1 Bolton Wanderers Loss 0-2 A 0 Doug Holden 11', Terry Allcock 63'
41. 17-11-1956 Div 1 Leeds United Win 3-2 H 2 Billy Whelan 19', 64', Bobby Charlton 57' Frank McKenna 26', John Charles 66' (pen)
42. 21-11-1956 EC/UCL Borussia Dortmund Draw 0-0 A 0
43. 24-11-1956 Div 1 Tottenham Hotspur Draw 2-2 A 0 Johnny Berry 47', Eddie Colman 88' Tommy Harmer 3' (pen), George Robb 7'
44. 01-12-1956 Div 1 Luton Town Win 3-1 H 0 Duncan Edwards 4', Tommy Taylor 63', David Pegg 79' Tony Gregory 87'
45. 08-12-1956 Div 1 Aston Villa Win 3-1 A 0 Tommy Taylor 42', 49', Dennis Viollet 73' Pat Saward 78'
46. 15-12-1956 Div 1 Birmingham City Loss 1-3 A 1 Billy Whelan 60' Bryan Orritt 4', Edwin Brown 23', 30'
47. 26-12-1956 Div 1 Cardiff City Win 3-1 H 1 Tommy Taylor 19', Dennis Viollet 53', Billy Whelan 70' Danny Malloy 2' (pen)
48. 29-12-1956 Div 1 Portsmouth Win 3-1 A 0 David Pegg 48', Duncan Edwards 52', Dennis Viollet 69' John Henderson 32'
49. 01-01-1957 Div 1 Chelsea Win 3-0 H 1 Tommy Taylor 18', 49', Billy Whelan 44'
50. 05-01-1957 FAC Hartlepool United Win 4-3 A 2 Billy Whelan 9', 79', Johnny Berry 10', Tommy Taylor 30' Frank Stamper 35', Kenneth Johnson 53', Jackie Newton 65'
51. 12-01-1957 Div 1 Newcastle United Win 6-1 H 2 Billy Whelan 21', 82', Dennis Viollet 61', 70', David Pegg 5', 43' Jackie Milburn 89'
52. 16-01-1957 EC/UCL Athletic Bilbao Loss 3-5 A 1 Tommy Taylor 48', Dennis Viollet 54', Billy Whelan 85' Ignacio Uribe 2', 28', Felix Marcaida 43', Armando Merodio 73', Jose Luis Arteche 78'
53. 19-01-1957 Div 1 Sheffield Wednesday Loss 1-2 A 0 Tommy Taylor 81' Roy Shiner 16', *Albert Quixall 48'
54. 26-01-1957 FAC Wrexham Win 5-0 A 2 Billy Whelan 7', 47', Roger Byrne 16' (pen), Tommy Taylor 39', 59'
55. 02-02-1957 Div 1 Manchester City Win 4-2 A 1 Billy Whelan 3', Tommy Taylor 30', Dennis Viollet 31', Duncan Edwards 80' Roy Clarke 12', Joe Hayes 75',
56. 06-02-1957 EC/UCL Athletic Bilbao Win 3-0 H 0 Dennis Viollet 42', Tommy Taylor 70', Johnny Berry 85'
57. 09-02-1957 Div 1 Arsenal Win 6-2 H 2 Billy Whelan 16', 80', Johnny Berry 25', 49' (pen), Duncan Edwards 35', Tommy Taylor 60' *David Herd 2', 43'
58. 16-02-1957 FAC Everton Win 1-0 H 0 Duncan Edwards 68'
59. 18-02-1957 Div 1 Charlton Athletic Win 5-1 A 0 Tommy Taylor 12', 26', Bobby Charlton 42', 46', 59' Bobby Ayre 86'
60. 23-02-1957 Div 1 Blackpool Loss 0-2 H 0 William Perry 60', David Durie 84'
61. 02-03-1957 FAC Bournemouth Win 2-1 A 0 Johnny Berry 60', 65' (pen) Brian Bedford 25'
62. 06-03-1957 Div 1 Everton Win 2-1 A 0 Colin Webster 30', 75' Wally Fielding 54'
63. 09-03-1957 Div 1 Aston Villa Draw 1-1 H 0 Bobby Charlton 15' John Dixon 60'
64. 16-03-1957 Div 1 Wolves Draw 1-1 A 0 Bobby Charlton 35' Peter Broadbent 17'
65. 23-03-1957 FAC Birmingham City Win 2-0 N 0 Johnny Berry 12', Bobby Charlton 13'
66. 25-03-1957 Div 1 Bolton Wanderers Loss 0-2 H 0 Ray Parry 30', Bill Foulkes 49' (o.g.)
67. 30-03-1957 Div 1 Leeds United Win 2-1 A 0 Johnny Berry 34', Bobby Charlton 88' John Charles 42'
68. 06-04-1957 Div 1 Tottenham Hotspur Draw 0-0 H 0
69. 11-04-1957 EC/UCL Real Madrid Loss 1-3 A 0 Tommy Taylor 82' Hector Rial 61', Alfredo Di Stefano 63', Enrique Mateos 83'
70. 19-04-1957 Div 1 Burnley Win 3-1 A 3 Billy Whelan 17', 44', 65' Jimmy McIlroy 36'
71. 20-04-1957 Div 1 Sunderland Win 4-0 H 2 Billy Whelan 12', 74', Duncan Edwards 81', Tommy Taylor 89'
72. 25-04-1957 EC/UCL Real Madrid Draw 2-2 H 0 Tommy Taylor 62', Bobby Charlton 85' Raymond Kopa 25', Hector Rial 33'
73. 27-04-1957 Div 1 Cardiff City Win 3-2 A 0 Albert Scanlon 43', 90' (pen), Alex Dawson 86' Gerry Hitchens 47', 52'
74. 04-05-1957 FAC Aston Villa Loss 1-2 N 0 Tommy Taylor 83' Peter McParland 68', 73'
75. 24-08-1957 Div 1 Leicester City Win 3-0 A 3 Billy Whelan 71', 75', 79'
76. 28-08-1957 Div 1 Everton Win 3-0 H 0 Tommy Taylor 44', Tommy Jones 54' (o.g.), Dennis Viollet 60'
77. 31-08-1957 Div 1 Manchester City Win 4-1 H 0 Duncan Edwards 15', Johnny Berry 20', Dennis Viollet 65', Tommy Taylor 86' Ken Barnes 59'
78. 04-09-1957 Div 1 Everton Draw 3-3 A 1 Dennis Viollet 12', Johnny Berry 30', Billy Whelan 39' Derek Temple 37', 77', Jimmy Harris 57'
79. 07-09-1957 Div 1 Leeds United Win 5-0 H 0 Johnny Berry 44', 65', Tommy Taylor 62', 69', Dennis Viollet 60'
80. 09-09-1957 Div 1 Blackpool Win 4-1 A 2 Billy Whelan 8', 60', Dennis Viollet 12', 75' Jackie Mudie 87'
81. 14-09-1957 Div 1 Bolton Wanderers Loss 0-4 A 0 Dennis Stevens 6', Brian Birch 52', Ray Parry 72' (pen), Nat Lofthouse 85'
82. 18-09-1957 Div 1 Blackpool Loss 1-2 H 0 Duncan Edwards 86' Jackie Mudie 1', 31'
83. 21-09-1957 Div 1 Arsenal Win 4-2 H 2 Tommy Taylor 10', Billy Whelan 22', 43', David Pegg 82' Mike Tiddy 38', *David Herd 39'
84. 25-09-1957 EC/UCL Shamrock Rovers Win 6-0 A 2 Billy Whelan 36', 51', Tommy Taylor 56', 80', Johnny Berry 85', David Pegg 86'
85. 05-10-1957 Div 1 Aston Villa Win 4-1 H 0 Tommy Taylor 15', 68', Jimmy Dugdale 32' (o.g.), David Pegg 62' Derek Pace 55'
86. 12-10-1957 Div 1 Nottingham Forest Win 2-1 A 1 Billy Whelan 3', Dennis Viollet 59' Stuart Imlach 47'
87. 19-10-1957 Div 1 Portsmouth Loss 0-3 H 0 John Henderson 6', Ron Newman 43', Peter Harris 44'
88. 22-10-1957 CS Aston Villa Win 4-0 H 0 Tommy Taylor 50', 54', 70', Johnny Berry 87' (pen)
89. 26-10-1957 Div 1 West Bromwich Albion Loss 3-4 A 1 Tommy Taylor 7', 22', Billy Whelan 76' Bobby Robson 16', 27', Derek Kevan 41', Ronnie Allen 62'
90. 02-11-1957 Div 1 Burnley Win 1-0 H 0 Tommy Taylor 52'
91. 09-11-1957 Div 1 Preston North End Draw 1-1 A 1 Billy Whelan 84' Tom Finney 71'
92. 16-11-1957 Div 1 Sheffield Wednesday Win 2-1 H 0 Colin Webster 6', 26' Alan Finney 10'
93. 20-11-1957 EC/UCL Dukla Prague Win 3-0 H 0 Colin Webster 63', Tommy Taylor 65', David Pegg 79'
94. 23-11-1957 Div 1 Newcastle United Win 2-1 A 0 Duncan Edwards 85', Tommy Taylor 88' Robert Mitchell 28'
95. 30-11-1957 Div 1 Tottenham Hotspur Loss 3-4 H 1 David Pegg 17', 62', Billy Whelan 67' Bobby Smith 22', 25', 44', Jackie Blanchflower 35' (o.g.)
96. 04-12-1957 EC/UCL Dukla Prague Loss 0-1 A 0 Milan Dvorak 17'
97. 07-12-1957 Div 1 Birmingham City Draw 3-3 A 0 Dennis Viollet 14', 46', Tommy Taylor 18' Peter Murphy 15', Gordon Astall 16', Noel Kinsey 36'
98. 14-12-1957 Div 1 Chelsea Loss 0-1 H 0 Ron Tindall 85'
 

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