Sam Gilligan


Samuel Anderson Gilligan was a Scottish professional association football player in the years prior to the First World War who played as a forward. He made over 200 appearances in The Football League for Bristol City and Liverpool, and a smaller number of appearances in the Scottish Football League with Dundee and Celtic.

Career

Born in Dundee, Gilligan was initially an apprentice shipyard riveter, but eventually abandoned the trade to become a professional footballer; his career began with Junior-level clubs Belmont Athletic and Dundee Violet before moving up to Dundee F.C. in October 1902.
In 1903 he moved to Celtic, where he spent a single season, scoring often but failing to totally convince the management ; he was allowed to move to England to play for Bristol City. He made 188 League appearances for City, and played in the 1909 FA Cup Final.
He joined Liverpool in 1910, scoring the goal which saved the club from being relegated from the top tier in the 1911–12 season. After three years at Anfield, he joined Gillingham of the Southern Football League as player-manager. In his first season in charge, Gillingham secured their best position in the league for three years.
Gilligan did not return to the Kent club after the First World War, he instead went back to Scotland and returned to shipbuilding in Dundee, during which time he also played for Forfar Athletic. He had also featured for Dundee Hibernian in November 1917, playing and scoring in two minor cup matches.
He later moved to the United States and worked for the Republic Iron and Steel Company, whilst playing football for Youngstown-based Mahoning Valleys. He died in 1965.

Playing style

A matchday programme from 1910 described him as: "a player who can adapt himself to any position on the field".

Personal life

He was one of four brothers who were professional footballers, the others being Sandy, Billy and John.

Honours

;Bristol City