Bill Delea


Real Name: William Delea
Normal Position: Inside Forward
Born: 12/09/1910 (Cork)
Died: 22/08/1985 (Rainham, Essex)

Heritage Number: 609
Debut Match*: 25/03/1933 v Gateshead (1930) (Football League)
Last Match*: 29/04/1933 v Hartlepool United (Football League)
* Qualifying Games


A bustling and energetic attack leader, Bill Delea constantly harassed opposing defences. He scored twice on his Lancashire Combination début against Fleetwood. Delea took his chance in the first team when Jack Roberts was away on Amateur International duty, scoring two goals in his Football League début. Unfortunately, he cracked his ankle during his final game at Hartlepools, leaving the field early.He had already been handicapped by an injury from a game at Great Harwood and was released at the end of the season. Delea later became the player-manager for the Ford Motor Company team and worked there until his early retirement in 1973. His son, Paul, played for Chelmsford in the Southern League and later managed Heybridge Swifts. In his later years, Delea suffered from severe arthritis.

Profile reproduced with Permission from:
The Sandgrounders: The Complete League History of Southport F. C., by Michael Braham and Geoff Wilde (Palatine Books, 1995). ISBN 978-1-874181-14-9

Southport Playing Stats

First Team

Heritage Qualifying League Only Cup Only Other Only All
Season Qualifying Starts Qualifying Subs Qualifying Appearances Qualifying Goals League Starts League Subs Total League Appearances League Goals Cup Starts Cup Subs Total CupAppearances Cup Goals Other Starts Other Subs Total Other Appearances Other Goals Total Starts Total Subs Total Appearances Total Goals
1932/19338(0)837(0)731(0)100(0)008(0)83
Total8(0)837(0)731(0)100(0)008(0)83