
Signed from Derby County for £300,000 by Gordon Milne one week into the 1980-81 season, the former Manchester United midfield player had a galvanising effect in his first season at Coventry. With the departure of Tommy Hutchison he was the senior professional and led Milne’s team of young players to the League Cup semi final bringing out the best in players like Andy Blair and Steve Hunt. Following Dave Sexton’s arrival his form dipped and he lost his place to Gerry Francis. In 1983 he was completely in the cold and joined Gordon Milne at Leicester, helping them to Promotion to the top division. He was back in favour the following season under Bobby Gould but was released in 1984 and signed for Birmingham. He later had spells at Shrewsbury, Stoke and Doncaster before going into management with Telford United. During his City career he was a regular in the Republic of Ireland team and won 16 caps out of a total of 48.
Penalties (7 - 6 scored)
1980-81
29 November 1980 v Nottingham Forest H, scored
13 December 1980 v West Bromwich Albion H, scored
24 January 1981 v Birmingham City H, scored
1981-82
5 September 1981 v Notts County A, saved (retaken after first effort also saved)
1983-84
10 March 1984 v Queens Park Rangers A, scored
24 March 1984 v Tottenham Hotspur H, scored
14 April 1984 v Wolverhampton Wanderers H, scored
Free kick goals (2)
1983-84
13 March 1984 v Aston Villa H
21 April 1984 v Manchester United A, rolled to him by Ashley Grimes


























































































































































































































Republic of Ireland - 16 caps, 5 goals
1980-81
10 September 1980 Republic of Ireland v Netherlands, Dublin, 1982 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Group 2, 2-1, goal
15 October 1980 Republic of Ireland v Belgium, Dublin, 1982 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Group 2, 1-1
19 November 1980 Republic of Ireland v Cyprus, Dublin, 1982 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Group 2, 6-0, 2 goals (1 pen)
24 February 1981 Repubic of Ireland v Wales, Dublin, friendly, 1-3
25 March 1981 Belgium v Republic of Ireland, Brussels, 1982 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Group 2, 1-0, booked
29 April 1981 Republic of Ireland v Czechoslovakia, Dublin, friendly, 3-1, replaced
21 May 1981 West Germany B v Republic of Ireland, Bremen, friendly, 3-0
23 May 1981 Poland v Republic of Ireland, Bydgoszcz, friendly, 3-0, substitute
1981-82
28 April 1982 Algeria v Republic of Ireland, Algiers, friendly, 2-0
22 May 1982 Chile v Republic of Ireland, Santiago, friendly, 1-0
27 May 1982 Brazil v Republic of Ireland, Uberlandia, friendly, 7-0
30 May 1982 Trinidad & Tobago v Republic of Ireland, Port of Spain, friendly 2-1
1982-83
22 September 1982 Netherlands v Republic of Ireland, Rotterdam, UEFA Euro 1984 Qualifying Group 7, 2-1, goal, replaced
27 April 1983 Spain v Republic of Ireland, Zaragoza, UEFA Euro 1984 Qualifying Group 7, 2-0, substitute
1983-84
16 November 1983 Republic of Ireland v Malta, Dublin, UEFA Euro 1984 Qualifying Group 7, 8-0, goal
4 April 1984 Israel v Republic of Ireland, Tel Aviv, friendly, 3-0, substitute
9 previous caps and 2 goals with Manchester United, 14 caps and 4 goals with Derby County and 5 further caps with Birmingham City, 4 caps and 2 goals with Shrewsbury Town (total 48 caps, 13 goals).