While with Glentoran, Reid was selected for the Irish League XI in 1926,[1] and while with Hearts he was capped once for Ireland in October 1930, a 5–1 defeat against England,[9][10] becoming the first serving player from the Edinburgh club to feature for a national team other than Scotland.[1]
Personal life
Reid had four older brothers who played football at a high level:[1][11]Jimmy played for the Irish League XI,[12][13]Davy did likewise and spent seven years with Everton,[14] and Max[15] and Jack[16] had six years as midfield teammates at New Brighton. All were born in Ayrshire before the family moved to Belfast in 1900,[1] and under eligibility rules of the time they could not play for Ireland due to their birthplace despite having lived there since they were small children; by contrast, Willie was born in Ulster so was eligible, although he was the only sibling who actually played in Scotland and was based there when he gained his Ireland cap.[10]
References
^ abcdefghWillie Reid, Northern Ireland's Footballing Greats, 8 October 2007