Billy Hamilton

At club level, Hamilton played for Linfield, QPR, Burnley, Oxford United, Limerick, Sligo Rovers, Coleraine and Distillery. Hamilton moved to the League of Ireland in January 1987, joining Limerick City as player-manager. At the time, the club were competing in the league's Premier Division. Hamilton managed the side to consecutive ninth-place finishes in the top tier before Limerick finished third in the 1988–89 season, with Hamilton scoring 21 league goals and finishing as the league's top scorer. He also won the Munster Senior Cup with Limerick in 1988. Hamilton resigned his position as player-manager in September 1989. He joined Distillery as Player/Manager in December 1989. He made his playing debut for the Whites on 22 March 1990 and in his three seasons made 72 appearances and scored 33 goals including one hat-trick.

Hamilton is best remembered by Northern Ireland fans as the man who crossed the ball for Gerry Armstrong to score for Northern Ireland in their famous win against the hosts Spain at the 1982 FIFA World Cup. He played in every game and scored two goals in the second-round game against Austria, and also played at the 1986 World Cup. He also twice won the Home Internationals in 1980 and 1984, scoring the winner against Scotland in the 1980 competition. Northern Ireland never lost when Hamilton scored. In total, Hamilton played 41 games for his country, scoring five goals.

After retiring to Bangor, County Down, Hamilton opened a sports trophy business. Hamilton designed a board game, Billy Hamilton's Football Academy, which was released in 1985. He is married to Isabella.