Over the years, some very famous footballers have played for a spell in the League of Ireland with clubs enticing major stars of international football to spend brief periods of their later careers entertaining League of Ireland supporters.
In this series, Colm Murphy gives a rundown of some of the top “superstars” who “graced” the League of Ireland over the years.
Gordon Banks
Gordon Banks’ career seemingly came to an end on 22nd October 1972 when he lost the sight of his right eye following a car crash.
Having moved into the commercial area of the sport, as well as having a spell as manager of Telford, Banks made a comeback in 1977 when he moved to the new American league to play for Fort Lauderdale Strikers alongside George Best.
Banks was contacted by his ex-international team-mate, Pat’s manager Barry Bridges, to come over for a match with Shamrock Rovers.
For most of the encounter, Banks was a mere passenger. Rovers were by now managed by Johnny Giles who was attempting to revolutionise Irish Football with a new professional setup at Milltown.
One of his major signings was Eamon Dunphy who was to provide Banks with his one opportunity to remind the large crowd (gate receipts of over £2,000) of the fact that he was one of the all-time great goalkeepers.
In the 83rd minute, Dunphy hit a left-footed volley that looked set for the top corner. However, Banks threw himself to his right and at full-stretch tipped the ball around the post for a corner. Even Giles was impressed:
“It was a fabulous save. His very presence on the field obviously lifted Pat’s”.
Pat’s won the game 1-0 and Banks was keen for more. “I thoroughly enjoyed myself and if I am asked back there is every chance I can come”.
However, it was to prove to be his only appearance in Irish football. Legend has it that his save from Dunphy was even better than the one he made from Pele!
Trevor Brooking made the final of his 528 appearances for West Ham United in 1984 at the age of 36.
Trevor Brooking
He had been capped 47 times for England with his last cap coming in the 1982 World Cup Finals when he was unable to prevent Ron Greenwood’s team being knocked out of the competition after a 0-0 draw with Spain.
Brooking was already a well-established TV pundit but was talked into signing for Cork City in November 1985. The main reason for his return to football was the ongoing dispute between the English FA and BBC/ITV over the rights to show football.
There was no TV coverage for the first five months of the season and, therefore, Brooking was temporarily unemployed.
He made his debut on 8th December 1985 at Turner’s Cross against a strong Galway United team. It did not go well for either Cork or Brooking.
He was given no time to find the space he needed to impose himself on the game. He produced one moment of magic just before half-time.
Seeing ex-Dundalk ‘keeper Richie Blackmore off his line, Brooking tried an audacious chip that beat the ‘keeper but rebounded off the crossbar.
Galway ran out 2-0 winners. He made his second and final appearance on December 22nd when he was again subdued as Shamrock Rovers destroyed Cork 3-0.
