Billy O'Brien (footballer)

Billy O'Brien (born 21 November 1995) is a former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Internationally, he played at youth level for Wales. He retired from football to become a Royal Marine commando in 2018. [2]

Billy O'Brien
Personal information
Full name Billy Thomas O'Brien [1]
Date of birth (1995-11-21) 21 November 1995
Place of birth Bury, England
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
2006–2014 Manchester City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2017 Manchester City 0 (0)
2014 → Hyde United (loan) 13 (0)
2017 → St Mirren (loan) 15 (0)
2017 Macclesfield Town 2 (0)
National team‡
2013–2014 Wales U19 2 (0)
2015–20?? Wales U21 8 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 7 May 2017
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 22 April 2017

Career

Club

O'Brien, a fan of Manchester City, joined the team in 2006 after having taken part in trials with both them and Manchester United.[3][4] At the club, he played for their youth teams and took part in competitions such as the UEFA Youth League before signing a professional contract with Manchester City in July 2014.[5]

He spent the first half of the 2014/2015 season on loan at Hyde United, debuting for the club in a defeat to Hednesford Town.[6] In the latter half of 2016, O'Brien played in the Premier League 2 as part of Manchester City's squad and was also selected by manager Pep Guardiola to travel with the first team on a number of occasions including as a backup keeper against Celtic in the Champions League.[5][7] O'Brien went on loan until the end of the season to St Mirren in January 2017.[8] He became a regular starter for the club, keeping a clean sheet on his debut against Dundee and playing in the final of the Scottish Challenge Cup.[9][10]

O'Brien revealed he would leave City after his contract expired in June 2017.[11] He joined Macclesfield Town that summer,[12] and made his debut as a substitute in a 0-0 draw against Bromley.[13]

International

O'Brien played in two matches of the Wales U19 team's attempt to qualify for the 2014 UEFA European Under-19 Championship in 2013 and 2014.[1] By 2015, O'Brien had moved up to the Wales U21 squad, playing for them in eight games of their campaign to qualify for the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. O'Brien made 15 saves while conceding 10 goals throughout all eight games.[14]

Career statistics
As of 17 August 2017
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Hyde United
2014–15 130000000130
Total130000000130
St Mirren 2016–17 150300020200
Total150300020200
Macclesfield Town 2017–18 2000000020
Total2000000020
Career total300300020350

Honours
St Mirren

References
  1. "Billy O'Brien". Soccerway. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  2. https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/sport/football/football-manager-2019-19-free-15688575
  3. "Billy O'Brien". St Mirren Football Club. Archived from the original on 23 April 2017. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  4. "Billy O'Brien Reflects Upon Wales U21s & Life at Man City". FA Wales. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  5. "Billy O'Brien". Manchester City. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  6. "Hednesford 4-1 Hyde". Hyde United. Archived from the original on 23 April 2017. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  7. "Man City boss Guardiola springs a surprise in his first Blues squad". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  8. "Billy O'Brien Joins On Loan". St Mirren Football Club. Archived from the original on 31 January 2017. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  9. "Dundee 0-2 St Mirren". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  10. "Dundee Utd 2-1 St Mirren". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  11. "Manchester City academy player ends 11-year stay". City Watch. 18 May 2017. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
  12. "Macclesfield Town Sign Goalkeeper Billy O'Brien". Macclesfield Town FC. 2 August 2017. Archived from the original on 17 August 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
  13. "Billy O'Brien On Making His Debut". Macclesfield Town F.C. 15 August 2017. Archived from the original on 17 August 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
  14. "Billy O'Brien". UEFA. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
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