Full name William Dunlop 1893–1899 Sunderland 189x–1893 Annbank | Years Team Place of birth Annbank, Scotland Name Billy Dunlop | |
Playing position | ||
William Dunlop, also known as Billy Dunlop or Willie Dunlop, was a Scottish footballer who played in the Football League for Sunderland and in the Scottish League for Rangers. He played as a half-back, either at wing half or in the centre.
Career
Dunlop was born in Annbank, South Ayrshire, and played for his hometown club before coming to England to sign for Sunderland in 1893. He made his debut for that club on 28 January 1893 in a 4–2 home win against The Wednesday, and played a few more games at the end of the 1892–93 season once the League title was secured. From the following season onwards, Dunlop was a regular in the first team, contributing to their runners-up position in 1894 and third League championship in the 1894–95 season and making 146 appearances in League and FA Cup. He also played on the winning side in a post-season friendly match against Scottish champions Heart of Midlothian, dubbed by some the "1895 World Championship". He returned to Scotland in 1899 to join Rangers. Dunlop played six Division One games in the 1899–1900 season, in each case covering for one of the regular half-backs, Neilly Gibson, Bobby Neil and Jacky Robertson, and a few more games in other competitions. He moved on to Partick Thistle before returning to Annbank in 1901.