Billy Halliday


Billy Halliday was a Scottish professional association football inside left. He played for his home club Queen of the South as well as Newcastle United, Third Lanark, Exeter City, Stockport County and St Cuthbert Wanderers.

Queen of the South

Halliday was an inside left and signed for home town club Queen of the South. His brother Dave Halliday had played for Queen's before him in 1920, alongside Ian Dickson. Billy Halliday was a strong and fearless type of player who always gave his all. His first game for Queen's was a friendly match versus Manchester University at Palmerston Park that Queen's won 4-1, with Halliday scoring on his debut.
The 1926–27 season seen Queen's drawn for the first time in a cup competition against Old Firm opposition. Queen's took eventual winners Celtic to a replay before being eliminated from the Scottish Cup. Amongst those playing for Queen's was inside left forward Halliday.
Halliday was considered by many as the best inside forward in the division. His nine goals in 15 games in his last season at Queen's was noticed by Newcastle United and they offered him a contract. After starring in a 6-3 home victory over St Bernard's on 19 November, Halliday had an important decision to make.

Newcastle United

With higher wages on offer and a signing-on fee, as well as his brother's massive success as a goal scoring machine at nearby Sunderland, Halliday unsurprisingly signed for Newcastle United. He played alongside another ex-Queens player, Hughie Gallacher, who captained Newcastle to the 1926-27 English League Division One Championship.
Halliday made his first team debut away to Leicester City on 27 November 1927 when he replaced the injured Tom McDonald. This proved to be his only first team game for the club. He returned to Scotland in 1928.

Third Lanark

On returning Scotland Halliday played for Third Lanark.

Exeter City

Yet again he headed south, this time to Exeter City for three seasons.

Stockport County

Halliday played at Stockport County for two seasons.

St Cuthbert Wanderers

He returned to his native Dumfries in 1933 where he finished his career with Kirkcudbright club St Cuthbert Wanderers.

Later days