Colin Irwin (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Colin Irwin was a professional footballer of the early 1980s. A defender, able to play at left-back or in the centre, Irwin came through the youth ranks at Liverpool
, and his first call-up to the first-team squad came, remarkably, in the 1978 European Cup Final
. Irwin didn't get on the pitch, but Liverpool won the game, and Irwin collected a winners medal. He was not involved in the first-team squad at all in the 78/79
season, but he made his debut early the following season, against West Bromwich Albion, and went on to make 14 appearances throughought the season. 1980/81
saw a revamp of Liverpool's squad, with many young players given their chance, of which Irwin was one. Although not an automatic first-team selection, he made 30 appearances and was a regular squad member as Liverpool won the League Cup
and European Cup
. However, the summer of 1981 saw Liverpool sign Mark Lawrenson
, which made Irwin surplus to requirements. He moved on to Swansea
, managed by John Toshack
, and with a team full of ex-Liverpool players for £340,000, which was the club's record transfer paid (although much of it was still owing when the club went bankrupt in 1984), until 2008 when they paid £400,000 for Ashley Williams
. He was made captain, but suffered a knee injury in 1983 which forced him to retire. Following retirement, he served as a coach at Bolton Wanderers, under former team-mate Phil Neal
, from 1985 to 1987.
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
, and his first call-up to the first-team squad came, remarkably, in the 1978 European Cup Final
1978 European Cup Final
The 1978 European Cup Final was an association football match between Liverpool of England and Club Brugge of Belgium on 10 May 1978 at Wembley Stadium, London, England. It was the final match of the 1977–78 season of Europe's premier cup competition, the European Cup. Liverpool were the reigning...
. Irwin didn't get on the pitch, but Liverpool won the game, and Irwin collected a winners medal. He was not involved in the first-team squad at all in the 78/79
1978-79 in English football
-FA Cup:Manchester United had seemingly pulled off a remarkable comeback against Arsenal in the 1979 FA Cup Final to make the score 2–2 after being two goals down, but a last-minute goal from Alan Sunderland saw Arsenal lift the trophy with a 3–2 scoreline...
season, but he made his debut early the following season, against West Bromwich Albion, and went on to make 14 appearances throughought the season. 1980/81
1980-81 in English football
The 1980–81 season was the 101st season of competitive football in England.-Overview:The Football League introduced a three points for a win system in place of the two points for a win system which had operated since the league's formation in 1889...
saw a revamp of Liverpool's squad, with many young players given their chance, of which Irwin was one. Although not an automatic first-team selection, he made 30 appearances and was a regular squad member as Liverpool won the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
and European Cup
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
. However, the summer of 1981 saw Liverpool sign Mark Lawrenson
Mark Lawrenson
Mark Thomas Lawrenson is a former professional football player, a defender in the Liverpool and Irish football teams of the 1980s; he since became a radio, television and internet pundit for the BBC and Today FM. He was born in England, but played for the Republic of Ireland because his...
, which made Irwin surplus to requirements. He moved on to Swansea
Swansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
, managed by John Toshack
John Toshack
John Benjamin Toshack OBE is a Welsh former footballer and manager. He is currently the manager of Macedonia. He has also managed several others clubs including Swansea City, who he took from the Fourth Division to the First in four seasons.As a player, he is remembered for being part of the...
, and with a team full of ex-Liverpool players for £340,000, which was the club's record transfer paid (although much of it was still owing when the club went bankrupt in 1984), until 2008 when they paid £400,000 for Ashley Williams
Ashley Williams (footballer)
Ashley Errol Williams is a Wales international footballer who plays for Swansea City as a defender.-Stockport County:He began his career at West Bromwich Albion as a youth player but was released by the club at 16 and went on to join Hednesford Town...
. He was made captain, but suffered a knee injury in 1983 which forced him to retire. Following retirement, he served as a coach at Bolton Wanderers, under former team-mate Phil Neal
Phil Neal
Philip George "Phil" Neal is a former footballer who was, at one time, the most successful player in English football history. He played for Liverpool 650 times over an eleven year period and is the only player to have appeared in the first five of their European Cup finals, winning four of them...
, from 1985 to 1987.
Honours
- European CupUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
: 1978, 1981 - Charity Shield: 1980
- Football League CupFootball League CupThe Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
: 1981 - Welsh CupWelsh CupThe Welsh Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from Wales.The Football Association of Wales is the organising body of this competition, which has been run every year since its inception in 1877-78...
: 1982, 1983