The Crown in Ilkley names footballer as landlord (9)
I believe the answer is:
innkeeper
'landlord' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'the crown in ilkley names footballer' is the wordplay.
'the crown in ilkley names' becomes 'inn' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'footballer' becomes 'keeper' (goalkeeper).
'inn'+'keeper'='INNKEEPER'
'as' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for innkeeper that I've seen before include "Tavern owner" , "Accommodating type" , "Pub landlord" , "Publican" , "Pub runner" .)