Billy Whelan

Who was Billy Whelan?

William Augustine Whelan, also known as Billy Whelan or Liam Whelan, was an Irish footballer and one of the eight Manchester United players who were killed in the Munich air disaster. He was 22 years old when he died.

Whelan was a devout Roman Catholic who came from a large family; his father John had died in 1943, when Whelan was eight years old. He was not a confident flyer and just before the aeroplane took off from Munich, he was heard to say: "Well, if this is the time, then I’m ready."

Whelan began his career with Home Farm before joining Manchester United.

He made 98 first-team appearances in four seasons at United, scoring 52 goals. He was United's top scorer in the 1956-57 season, scoring 26 goals in the First Division and 33 in all competitions as United won their second successive league title and reached the semi-finals of the European Cup and FA Cup.

He had previously played for Irish club Home Farm, and was capped four times for the Republic of Ireland national team, but unfortunately did not score.

His brother John played for Shamrock Rovers and Drumcondra F.C..