John Byrne (Irish footballer)

Football player infobox
playername = John Byrne


fullname = John Frederick Byrne
nickname =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1961|2|1|df=y
cityofbirth = Manchester
countryofbirth = England
height = height|ft=6|in=0
currentclub =
clubnumber =
position = Striker (retired)
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1979–1984
1984–1988
1988–1990
1990–1991
1991–1992
1992–1993
1993
1993–1995
1995–1996
clubs = York City Queens Park Rangers Le Havre Brighton & Hove Albion Sunderland Millwall → Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) Oxford United Brighton & Hove Albion
caps(goals) = 175 (55) 126 (30) 049 (16) 051 (14) 033 0(8) 017 0(1) 007 0(2) 055 (18) 039 0(6)
nationalyears = 1985–1993
nationalteam = Republic of Ireland
nationalcaps(goals) = 023 0(4)
pcupdate =
ntupdate =

John Frederick Byrne (born 1 February 1961 in Manchester, England) is an English-born Irish former international footballer in the 1980s and 1990s.

He began his career with York City and came to the attention of QPR during the League Cup match between the sides in 1984. He joined QPR in October 1984, making his debut against Norwich City.

He was a highly skillful player and once famously dribbled half the length of the pitch to score against Chelsea in a 6-0 victory in 1986. Shortly afterwards John played at Wembley in the Milk Cup Final against Oxford United but ended up on the losing side.

John moved from QPR to the French club Le Havre, in 1988, at the same time that his compatriot Frank Stapleton would move there from Ajax. He would remain at Le Havre one season longer than Stapelton before returning to England, in 1990, to play with Brighton & Hove Albion.He would have spells with Sunderland, Millwall, and Oxford but returning to Brighton, on loan in 1993 before finishing his career their in 1996. With Sunderland, he had the distinction, of scoring in every round of the 1992 FA Cup except the final.Which Liverpool won 2 - 0 with goals from Michael Thomas and Ian Rush. Although, he revealed in a pitch side interview following the game that he was mistakenly handed a winners medal.John is currently a commentator on Southern Counties Radio for Brighton and Hove Albion home games.

International career

Byrne was called up to inernational duty under Eoin Hand's reign as Irish manager. With his first game being an international friendly against Italy. The game played at Dalymount Park, on February 5 1985, finished 2 - 1 to the Italians.John would go on to earn 23 caps for the Republic of Ireland, and was in their squads for Euro 88 and the 1990 World Cup but didn't play any part. His best day in a green shirt came when he scored two fine goals in the 3-1 win over Turkey played in the BJK İnönü Stadium in Istanbul as part of the qualification for Euro 92. He donned the green jersey for the last time in an international friendly against Wales. The game, which finished in a 2 - 1 victory for Ireland, would also be Bernie Slaven's last international duty.

External links

*soccerbase|1207|John Byrne
* [http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/TheFACup/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2003/04/44794.htm Interview with Byrne by the FA]