
Gary McAllister brought the vastly experienced Irish international defender to Highfield Road in the summer of 2003 on a free transfer from Aston Villa. His positional sense and confidence was obvious whether he played at left-back or in the centre of defence although his pace was sometimes exposed on a couple of occasions in the former position. He did however settle a wobbly defence and under Eric Black took over the captaincy. A succession of niggling knee injuries blighted the end of his first season but in 2004-05 he was a regular, first at left back and later, after the arrival of Micky Adams as a centre-back alongside Robert Page. His winning goal in the game against Brighton ensured City’s first home win for several months and proved the springboard for the relegation escape. His final home game was the final game at Highfield Road and he was freed soon afterwards. He joined Walsall but only played a handful of games before becoming assistant manager and in early 2006 he was surprisingly appointed manager of the Irish national side, a role he performed for 21 months during which the team failed to qualify for the Euro 2008 finals. In total he won 102 caps for his country and is the only player to have appeared in all 13 World Cup finals games.
His club career started at Liverpool who he joined from Dundalk in 1986. He made his debut in September 1988 and in his first season won an FA Cup winners medal. In two spells at Anfield he made over 100 appearances but is better known for his feats at Villa Park where he played over 300 games.
Penalties (3 - 2 scored)
2003-04
16 September 2003 v Preston North End A, scored
4 October 2003 v Millwall A, scored
28 December 2003 v Bradford City A, missed - over the bar
Red Cards (1)
2004-05
23 October 2004 v Wigan Athletic A, professional foul on Jason Roberts



















































































































































































