Billy McOwen

Who was Billy McOwen?

William "Billy" McOwen was an English footballer who played in the Football League for Blackburn Rovers, Darwen and Liverpool.

McOwen joined Liverpool in July 1892. The Blackburn Standard reported on 30 July: Many supporters of the Darwen Football Club will regret to hear that W McOwen, the former goalkeeper, has severed his connection with the club. Some time ago the committee engaged Chalmers, the Middlesbrough goalkeeper, and it was thought that the club would retain the services of the little champion from Blackburn. McOwen has, however, obtained his release from the club in the "Salmon Town", and signed for the Liverpool club. The popular custodian was formally transferred by the Darwen committee on Monday last.

He was not a regular in Liverpool's inaugural 1892–93 season — the preference being Sidney Ross — but he was their first-ever goalkeeper for a Football League match, when the Reds opened their 1893–94 Second Division campaign at Middlesbrough Ironopolis on 2 September 1893. He played in 23 of their 28 League fixtures that season, at the end of which Liverpool were crowned champions and promoted to First Division.