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Joe Elwood

Name: Joseph Patrick Elwood
Born: 26 October 1939, Belfast
Position: Outside/Inside-Left

Representative Honours: Northern Ireland: 1 B Cap (1960), 1 Under-23 Cap (1962), Youth Caps; 3 Schoolboy Caps (1954).
Club Honours: (with Glenavon) Irish League Champion 1956/57; Irish Cup Winner 1956/57; (with Orient) Football League Division Two Runner-Up 1961/62.

Club Career:
Clubs
Seasons
Signed
Fee
League
FA Cup
FL Cup
Other
Glenavon
54/55-57/58
Sep-54
-
-
-
-
-
58/59-65/66
Apr-58
-
101(2)/25
8(0)/4
16(0)/3
-
Ards
66/67-67/68
c/s-66
-
/12
/2
-
/10
Distillery
-
c/s-69
-
-
-
-
-
TOTALS
£-
/37
/6
16(0/3
/10


BIography:
Joe Elwood broke into Jimmy McAlinden's Glenavon side while still a teenager, featuring at outside-left in their 1957 "Double" winning side. At eighteen he moved to Division Two Leyton Orient, his free-scoring displays from the wing bringing ten goals in his first campaign in English football. After such startling early form his progress slowed somewhat, and in 1963, as Orient achieved promotion to the topflight for the only time, he played just ten times.

Still, Elwood remained in the thoughts of the Irish selectors, featuring at outside-left in 5-0 defeat by France in a 1960 B international and at inside-left in a 1962 Under-23 match, a scoreless draw against Wales. Although not a regular selection for the Os, he remained a regular goalscorer through to his return to the Irish League with Ards in 1966.

Elwood added much needed experience and guile to a young Ards side, aiding them to turn round their period of mediocrity in the mid-sixties to become challengers once again. He saved his best performances in red and blue for a run in the 1968 Irish Cup. He scored in a 4-1 win over Coleraine despite being given the unfamiliar task of man-marker Bertie Peacock. He scored again in the semi-final against Linfield, though Ards finished 2-1 losers.

Northern Ireland B Cap Details:
16-03-1960 France A L 0-5 FR

Summary: 1/0. Won 0, Drew 0, Lost 1.

Northern Ireland Under-23 Cap Details:
07-02-1962 Wales H D 0-0 FR

Summary: 1/0. Won 0, Drew 1, Lost 0.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Mr Elwood was my PE teacher at Upton/Homrton House school.
Unknown said…
Mr Elwood, a great man, was my PE teacher at Holy Family College. He was responsible for me scoring the best goal I've ever scored in a football match. A goal I didn't believe I could score. But he believed in me. He was the referee in my school game and we got a free kick just inside the opponents half. He told me to shoot. I told him now as I thought it was too far. He said to me "If you don't shoot, I'm having you subbed!". I took the shot and it ended up on the top corner. I'm 34 now and that was when I was 14, but still remember it as clear as day. Thank you Mr Elwood. You're a great man.
Anonymous said…
Mr Elwood was our coach at Normanhurst primary school, Chingford. I guess he came in 1960ish. I sometimes went to Leyton to watch him play - was the only spectator shouting 'Come on Mr Elwood'.
Unknown said…
Mr Elwood,

What a great teacher who's passion for sport and respect encouragement was amazing whilst we grew up.

I brought my 1st set of golf clubs off him.

Unknown said…
A great man and teacher who I owe alot to.

Great enthusiasm for sport and always encouraged us all.

I will always be indebted to him.
Unknown said…
Joe lives in Walthamstow and I would often see him in the street near my house and chat about the O's. I have not seen him since the pandemic. I hope and trust he is OK.
Unknown said…
I know joe Elwood from Our Lady & st Peters Walthamstow. Discovered he played for the O’s and would chat to him an his lovely wife Rona after mass. We talked football and I discovered he was very proud of his part in the Glenavon FC side that won the double back in Ireland. I’ve since read about that team and they were true champions. Lucky enough to talk to folk back in Ireland who remember Joe. Great that he went to the O’s but his time with Glenavon is what they remember best. I was lucky enough to see his medals- and how FAI (Ireland) pin. Joe is a sound man. A good footballer and singer.
Unknown said…
I just found this page because Joe is my Dad's cousin! My Dad is Brian O'Neill, his mother (my Grandmother) was Christina O'Neill (nee Elwood) who sadly died last year. Christina was one of Joe's 7 sisters! I live in East London and about to move to Leyton so my Dad told me about his cousin who played for Leyton Orient, and that led me to this page.

I would love to know if Joe is doing ok and send a message from my Dad - perhaps even meet up when my Dad is in London. If anyone can help get this message to Joe or point me in the right direction I'd be so grateful. Thank you! Clare O'Neill My email is clare@coppafeel.org
Unknown said…
Hi when Joe came to london he lodged at my grandma's house (Dorothy Studz) in Leyoton. My dad now 96 told me today. I would love to say hi to him if anyone can put me in contact. Phil.studds@ramboll.co.uk thanks Phil
Anonymous said…
Ive known Joe for a long time
My Parents & Joe & Rona were friends .

Joe is still alive & as far as i know still well
I was in the same year as 1 of his daughters & was friends with his son
Also Joe at school
My 2 sisters were friends with both of Joes other daughters .

Someone mentioned our lady & st peters
Its Our Lady & St George shern hall street e17
Anonymous said…
Joe is alive and well - I met him at a bus stop in Walthamstow yesterday. He is a lovely talkative chap and was telling me about his family, football and life in general. Lovely Irish accent and twinkly eyes.