McGinley: William David (Billy)

1972-1974 (Player Details)

Midfield

Born: Dumfries: 12-11-1954

Debut: v Birmingham City (a) (substitute): 30-04-1973

5’5 1/2” 9st 10lb (1972)

A Scottish Schoolboy International, McGinley served his apprenticeship with the Juniors, before turned professional with Leeds United in January 1972. Although his Football League experience at Leeds lasted only fifty minutes as a substitute for Roy Ellam, McGinley made some impression at his other clubs. His other exposure to first team football at Elland Road was when he came on as a seventy-sixth minute substitute for Allan Clarke in the UEFA Cup tie at home to Stromgodset on 3rd October 1973. Bobby Collins took him to Huddersfield Town in September 1974 for £7,500, where he scored once in fifteen appearances, four of which were as a substitute. Discarded by Brian Clough, McGinley came back to haunt the doomed Leeds Manager, but had to be content with Jimmy Armfield, his successor, as he scored a goal in the sixtieth minute to cancel out a Mick Bates opener in the second replay of a League Cup tie between the two close rivals. Unfortunately for McGinley and his new club, John O'Hare, signed by Clough, was brought down in the penalty area and Peter Lorimer was able to score from the spot to see Leeds through. He was probably at his best while with Bradford City from June 1975, being part of the team that reached the FA Cup Quarter-Finals in 1976. It was his goal that gave City victory over First Division Norwich City in the Fifth Round at Carrow Road before finally going out to Southampton at Valley Parade in the next round. He played sixty League games, including eight as a substitute for the Bantams and scored eleven goals, together with two goals in twelve games in the Cups and helped the Bantams to promotion to the Third Division in the 1976-77 season. Crewe Alexandra became his next club from August 1977 and he scored twice in thirty-eight League games, including two as substitute, before leaving at the end of the season. Still only Twenty-three, McGinley dropped out of the Football League and joined Mid-Cheshire League side Whitchurch Alport before moving on to North-West Counties League team, Nantwich Town, in the summer of 1982.