Charlie Dowdall
Encyclopedia
Charlie Dowdall was an Irish footballer. He played for several clubs in both the League of Ireland
and the English League and was also capped at international level by the Irish Free State. He was born in Ireland
.
team that won the first ever League of Ireland
title and the first ever FAI Cup
. During the FAI Cup final against Shamrock Rovers
, his skirmishes with Bob Fullam
helped provoke post-match disturbances involving players and supporters.
Together with Paddy Duncan
, Thomas Murphy, Ernest MacKay and Michael Farrell, Dowdall was one of five players from St James's Gate, included in the Irish Free State squad for the 1924 Olympics Games
.
After a spell with Fordsons
, Dowdall played for both Barnsley
and Swindon Town
in the English League. He made his debut for Swindon on March 1, 1930, scoring in a 3-3 away draw with Northampton Town
. However he only made 8 league appearances for the club. He scored again, against Watford
in 3-1 home defeat on April 18, before making his final appearance on April 21 in 4-1 away defeat against the same opponents.
he did not get a game. However after the Irish were knocked out of the competition, they arranged to play a friendly with Estonia
on June 3 at the Stade Olympique. Dowdall subsequently made his international debut in this 3-1 win.
On June 14, 1924 he also played against the United States
in another 3-1 win at Dalymount Park
.
In March 1926 he travelled with the Irish squad to play Italy
, but once again did not play.
He did, however, play twice against Belgium in 1928 and 1929 before winning his last cap on April 4, 1931 in a 1-1 draw with Spain
at the Montjuic Stadium
.
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
and the English League and was also capped at international level by the Irish Free State. He was born in Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
.
Club career
In 1922 Dowdall was a member of the St James's GateSt James's Gate F.C.
St James's Gate F.C. is an Irish football club that currently plays in the Leinster Senior League. St James Gate was founded as the footballing part of the Guinness Sports and Social club and was named after St. James's Gate Brewery....
team that won the first ever League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
title and the first ever FAI Cup
FAI Cup
The Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
. During the FAI Cup final against Shamrock Rovers
Shamrock Rovers F.C.
Shamrock Rovers Football Club are a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the most successful club in Irish football history. The club have won the League of Ireland title a record 17 times and the FAI Cup a record 24...
, his skirmishes with Bob Fullam
Bob Fullam
Bob Fullam was an Irish footballer and one of the best-known players in the League of Ireland in the 1920s . A versatile attacking player, he was skilful but also had a tough-man image....
helped provoke post-match disturbances involving players and supporters.
Together with Paddy Duncan
Paddy Duncan
Paddy Duncan was an Irish footballer. At the 1924 Olympics Games he scored the Irish Free State’s first ever goal in a senior international.-Club career:During his career Duncan was known by the nickname Dirty Duncan...
, Thomas Murphy, Ernest MacKay and Michael Farrell, Dowdall was one of five players from St James's Gate, included in the Irish Free State squad for the 1924 Olympics Games
Ireland at the 1924 Summer Olympics
Ireland, then known as the Irish Free State, competed as an independent nation for the first time at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, France....
.
After a spell with Fordsons
Fordsons F.C.
Fordsons Football Club is a former Irish football club based in Cork. They played in the League of Ireland between 1924 and 1930. The club was originally the factory team of the Ford Motor Company, a major employer in the city at that time and was named after the Fordson tractor, resulting in the...
, Dowdall played for both Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
and Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
in the English League. He made his debut for Swindon on March 1, 1930, scoring in a 3-3 away draw with Northampton Town
Northampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
. However he only made 8 league appearances for the club. He scored again, against Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
in 3-1 home defeat on April 18, before making his final appearance on April 21 in 4-1 away defeat against the same opponents.
Irish international
Between 1924 and 1931 Dowdall made 5 appearances for the Irish Free State. Although he was included in the squad that competed at the 1924 Olympics GamesIreland at the 1924 Summer Olympics
Ireland, then known as the Irish Free State, competed as an independent nation for the first time at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, France....
he did not get a game. However after the Irish were knocked out of the competition, they arranged to play a friendly with Estonia
Estonia national football team
The Estonia national football team represents Estonia in international association football. Team members are selected by the head coach of Estonian Football Association . Estonia play their home matches at the A. Le Coq Arena in Tallinn, Estonia....
on June 3 at the Stade Olympique. Dowdall subsequently made his international debut in this 3-1 win.
On June 14, 1924 he also played against the United States
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
in another 3-1 win at Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park is an Irish football stadium situated on Dublin's Northside. It is the home of Bohemian F.C., who have played there since the early 20th century. Affectionately known as 'Dalyer' by fans, it was also historically the "home of Irish football" holding Irish internationals and FAI Cup...
.
In March 1926 he travelled with the Irish squad to play Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
, but once again did not play.
He did, however, play twice against Belgium in 1928 and 1929 before winning his last cap on April 4, 1931 in a 1-1 draw with Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
at the Montjuic Stadium
Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys
Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys is a stadium in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Originally built in 1927 for the 1929 International Exposition in the city , it was renovated in 1989 to be the main stadium for the 1992 Summer Olympics...
.
Honours
St James's Gate- League of IrelandLeague of IrelandThe League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
- Winners 1921–22: 1
- FAI CupFAI CupThe Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
- Winners 1922: 1