Bill Purves

William Michael Purves was an Irish professional footballer who played as a right back. He made 40 appearances in the English [Football League|Football League], playing for Birmingham [City F.C.|Small Heath] in the 1890s. He played three times for the Irish [League representative team].
Purves was born in Belfast and played for Glentoran before coming to England to join Small Heath in March 1894. He played in the last three matches of the 1893–94 Football League regular season and in the test match that confirmed their ascent to the First Division. He played every game of 1894–95 Small [Heath F.C. season|the club's first top-flight season], but lost his place to Frank [Lester (footballer)|Frank Lester] in 1895–96 and returned to Glentoran. From 1900 he acted as Glentoran's trainer.