William Lacey (24 September 1889, Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Ireland – 30 May 1969) was an Irish footballer who played for, among others, Shelbourne, Liverpool, Everton and Linfield.

Lacey first played senior football with Shelbourne in 1906 and in 1908, together with Val Harris and Joseph Ledwidge, he helped them reach the final of the Irish Cup.

Lacey scored in the 1–1 draw against Bohemians at Dalymount Park and also played in the replay which Shelbourne lost 3–1.

[2] Lacey followed Val Harris to Everton in February 1909 and made his club debut, leading the forward line, in April 1909 against Bradford City.

Lacey helped Everton finish League runners-up twice and reach the semi-final stage of the 1910 FA Cup.

In 1914, playing as an inside forward, he scored 5 goals in 7 games as he helped Liverpool reach their first ever FA Cup final.

While with Linfield he helped them reach two successive Irish Cup finals in 1918 and 1919, finishing as runners-up and winners respectively.

[4][5][6] When Lacey began his international career in 1909, Ireland was represented by a single team, selected by the Belfast-based Irish Football Association.

Along with Val Harris, Patrick O'Connell and Billy Gillespie, Lacey helped Ireland win the 1914 British Home Championship.

In a game which saw Lacey play in three different positions, including in goal, Ireland then clinched the title following a 1–1 draw with Scotland at Windsor Park in Belfast.

On 23 April 1927, at the age of 37, he became the oldest player to ever make his debut for the FAI XI when he was selected to play against Italy B – this was later surpassed in 1931 by 40-year-old Patsy Gallacher whose first appearance was also his last.

In terms of preparation, the team did better than usual, with Lacey organising three coaching sessions the week before the game.

However, on 17 October 1936, Lacey coached the FAI XI to one of their best results of the pre-Second World War era when a team featuring Paddy Moore and Tom Davis, beat Germany 5–2 at Dalymount Park.