William McCrum

William McCrum (20 February 1865 – 21 December 1932) was a wealthy Irish linen manufacturer and sportsman, most famous for being the inventor in 1890 of the penalty kick in football.

Born on 20 February 1865 in Ballynahone Beg townland, outside Armagh, William was the son of the linen millionaire Robert Garmany McCrum, who was the builder of the Victorian era model village of Milford and High Sheriff of Armagh, and Anne Eliza Riddall. He studied at The Royal School, Armagh and then Trinity College, Dublin and later worked for the family business including a time as London representative and one of the managing directors of linen manufacturers McCrum, Watson and Merver. William was not a success at running the family business and had to sell the Milford mill in 1931.

When not travelling the world, he spent a large proportion of his life living in Milford where he was a justice of the peace and representative of many sporting clubs and committees including Milford Football Club, Milford and Armagh cricket clubs, and Armagh Rugby Football Club. He played chess for Armagh and participated in individual and team competitions and also submitted games.

He played for many years as goalkeeper for Milford FC including in the first season of the Irish Football League (1890–1891). Milford finished bottom of the league with 0 points from 14 games, having conceded 62 goals and scored only 10.

"Master Willie" as he was known to the villagers also spent his spare time taking part in amateur theatrics in the Milford village hall, called the McCrum Institute. He died after a long illness in December 1932 in an Armagh boarding house. The McCrum family home in Milford, Manor House became a special-care hospital, but is now derelict.

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