Full name William John Beer Role Footballer Playing position Died March 1941 | Years Team Position Wing half Name Billy Beer | |
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Date of birth (1879-01-04)4 January 1879 Place of birth Poolsbrook, Derbyshire, England Date of death March 1941 (1941-04) (aged 62) People also search for Walter Bennett, Harry Thickett, Fred Priest | ||
William John Beer (4 January 1879 – March 1941) was an English professional footballer who played as a wing half for Sheffield United and Small Heath (renamed Birmingham in 1905).
He made over 100 appearances for Sheffield United and scored the third goal in their 4–1 defeat of Derby County in the 1899 FA Cup Final. Beer moved to Small Heath in January 1902 and the following season helped them to promotion back to the First Division. Later in his Birmingham career he played some games at centre-forward, which combined with his prowess at penalty-taking made him the club's joint leading scorer in the 1908–09 season.
He retired from football at the end of the next season, and emigrated to Australia where he became a sheep-farmer. Returning to England in 1920, he became Birmingham's manager in 1923, taking charge of the team for four years in the First Division.
He was also a talented musician.