Northern Ireland Players in the English Top Flight 1946/47

- OVERVIEW -

- 1946/47 - 1956/57 - 1966/67 - 1976/77 - 1986/87 - 1996/97 - 2006/07 - 2016/17 -

Players: 15. Appearances: 381; Goals: 40. Average Games per Player: 25.4 [max: 42]

This was the first season of proper League football after the Second World War. It was a boom time for the game as fans flocked to see their returning stars and some new faces who were chomping at the bit after having missed out on six years of their playing careers. Of the 15 Irish internationals that featured this season, seven (marked *) were born south of the border, however, the era of Dual Internationals had just a few years left to run.

Gerry Bowler (age 27) Portsmouth 4 league games / 0 goals   Right-back, recruited from Distillery just prior to the resumption of proper football. Spent three seasons at Portsmouth, making just eight appearances and did not make his Ireland debut until after transferring to Hull in 1949. Caps: 0 (to start of 46/47 season) + 0 (during season) + 3 (after season) = 3 (career caps)
	Bobby Browne (age 34) Leeds United 19/0 A wing-half, Browne had been at his peak when war broke out. Having signed for Leeds from his native Derry City, he won six caps from 1935-1938, and no doubt more would have followed if not for hostilities. At 34, he managed just one top-flight season post-war as Leeds were relegated and Browne dropped further down for a last league hurrah with York City in Division Three North. Caps: 6 + 0 + 0 = 6
Jackie Carey* (age 27) Manchester United 31/0 A versatile half-back and one of the biggest names of the age. Carey had served in the British Army through the war and had been offered big money to settle in Italy. He resisted and returned to a bombed out Old Trafford, a stadium that he had first graced in 1936. He captained United to the FA Cup in 1948 (the first "foreign" player to do so) and the League title in 1952 before retiring a year later. Caps: (IFA) 0 + 4 + 3 = 7 (FAI) 10 + 3 + 16 = 29
	Davy Cochrane (age 25) Leeds United 38/7 Cochrane had established himself on the wing for Leeds just prior to the outbreak of the war while still a teenager and was just 18 when first capped. Through the war years he returned to Ireland and kept sharp guesting in the competitive Northern Regional League, notably with Linfield. As League football resumed, he returned to a Leeds United that were a shadow of their former selves and finished bottom. He remained at Elland Road until 1951. Caps: 2 + 3 + 7 = 12
Peter Doherty (age 33) Derby Co 15/7 & Huddersfield T 19/7 Despite his advancing years, Doherty was still rated among the greatest players of the day. He had scored in Derby's 1946 FA Cup final win and became a big money mid-season gamble when lured to Huddersfield. His seven goals helped keep the Terriers in the top flight, a position they retained through his three seasons at Leeds Road despite their being perennial strugglers. Caps: 10 + 2 + 4 = 16
	Tommy Eglington* (age 23) Everton 34/5 Eglington had made his name, and been first capped by Eire, with Shamrock Rovers before Everton spent big to bring him across the Irish Sea just prior to the resumption of the Football League. He made an immediate impact at Goodison, earning international recognition from both Irish teams within his first few months on Merseyside. He spent over a decade with Everton suffering relegation and enjoying promotion. Caps: 0 + 2 + 4 =6 (IFA) 2 + 3 + 19 = 24 (FAI)
Peter Farrell* (age 23) Everton 27/0 A contemporary of Eglington's at Shamrock Rovers, the duo had won their first Eire caps in the same match in June 1946, enjoyed a joint transfer to Everton for the 46/47 season and were then first capped by the IFA in the same match. A wing-half, Farrell's career at Goodison also almost exactly mirrored that of Eglington's with relegation and promotion. He was also later to become club captain. Caps: 0 + 2 + 5 = 7 (IFA) 2 + 2 + 24 = 28 (FAI)
	Bill Gorman* (age 35) Brentford 34/0 Gorman was an established Eire international before the war and had played a top-flight season before football was halted. At 35 he was definitely a veteran, but the Irish FA couldn't ignore a top-flight defender and he played in each of that season's Home Nations matches. Brentford however were relegated and the following season Gorman won his final cap. Caps: 0 + 3 + 1 = 4 (IFA) 11 + 2 + 0 = 13 (FAI)
Bill Hayes* (age 30) Huddersfield Town 18/0 An established First Division player before the Second World War, Hayes' resolute defending helped Huddersfield ward off relegation in 1947 and also earned him two Eire caps to add to the IFA caps he had won in the seasons before the suspension of league football. He remained with Huddersfield, all the time a First Division club, until 1950. Caps: 4 + 0 + 0 = 4 (IFA) 0 + 2 + 0 = 2 (FAI)
	Con Martin (age 23) Leeds United 8/0 Martin had won his first cap for the FAI while with Drumcondra in June 1946. He spent the first half of the 1946/47 season with Glentoran and it was during this time that he was first capped by the IFA. A gifted goalkeeper, he preferred playing in defence and it was for his outfield talents that Leeds spent big. He couldn't helped them ward off relegation, but he later played regularly in Division One for Aston Villa. Caps: 0 + 1 + 5 = 6 (IFA) 1 + 2 + 27 = 30 (FAI)
Jimmy McAlinden Portsmouth (age 28) 32/5 A gifted "schemer" McAlinden had won caps and earned a big-money move to Portsmouth prior to the war and in 1939 was an FA Cup winner. Shortly before the resumption of the league he became one of the few northern-born players of the era to win FAI caps. He returned to the IFA's team for their first post-war international, but the inside-forward role was one where there were plenty of options. He spent another few seasons in the First Division following a high-profile transfer to Stoke. Caps: 2 + 1 + 1 = 4 (IFA) 2 + 0 + 0 = 2 (FAI)
	Jim McCabe Middlesbrough (age 27) 27/0 No-nonsense wing-half McCabe had signed for Middlesbrough as a teenager in 1937, but had to wait nearly a decade for his senior debut. He quickly established himself in Boro's first eleven through the 46/47 season, but it would be another year, and after dropping down a division to play for Leeds, before he earned his first international recognition. Caps: 0 + 0 + 6 = 6
Joshua Sloan (age 26) Arsenal 30/1 Before the war, Sloan had been on the books of Manchester United and Tranmere but his only senior appearances were struck from the record books coming during the abandoned 38/39 season. Having impressed while guesting for a number of clubs in the war years and in two Victory Internationals, he joined Arsenal in May 1946. The following month he toured Iberia with the FAI and won his only IFA senior cap late in the 46/47 season. Sloan lasted little over a season with Arsenal, but stayed in Division One with Sheffield United Caps: 0 + 1 + 0 = 1 (IFA) 2 + 0 + 0 = 2 (FAI)
	Alex Stevenson* (age 33) Everton 30/8 Diminutive inside-forward Stevenson was established both internationally and in the First Division prior to the war. Indeed he was a champion with Everton in the final completed season. Despite being in the veteran stages of his career when normality resumed he retained his place for both club and country(s). He managed another two top flight seasons before retiring just before his 37th birthday. Caps: 14 + 2 + 1 = 17 (IFA) 1 + 3 + 3 = 7 (FAI)
Jim Twomey (age 32) Leeds United 15/0 Another established Division One player from before hostilities, Twomey had also managed to claim two Ireland caps despite some serious competition for the 'keeper's spot. He guested for Linfield during the war, featuring in the 1944 Irish Cup final defeat by Belfast Celtic. He also featured for Leeds in war-time league matches but when peacetime football resumed he found himself in-and-out of the team as they were relegated. He spent two more seasons at Elland Road. Caps: 2 + 0 + 0 = 2

Where The Trophies Went

	Champions	Runners-Up
First Division	Liverpool	Manchester United
Relegated	Brentford Leeds United
Second Division	Manchester City	Burnley
FA Cup	Charlton Athletic	Burnley

International Results

Ireland (Lockhart 2)	2-7	England	BC
Scotland	0-0	Ireland (-)	BC
Ireland (Stevenson, Doherty)	2-1	Wales	BC

British Championship Table

	Pl	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
England	3	2	1	0	11	3	8	5
Ireland	3	3	1	1	4	8	-4	3
Wales	3	1	0	2	4	6	-2	2
Scotland	3	0	2	1	2	4	-2	2

Northern Ireland Players in the English Top Flight

The Holy Grail for any local footballer, or indeed many footballers from across the globe, is to make it to the English Premier League. Not only can you face some of the biggest names in world football, you can also earn fame and fortune beyond your wildest dreams! Although the pay scales have increased seemingly exponentially since the Premier League was founded in 1992, the target of playing for an Arsenal or a Manchester United has been a constant for decades.

Here we look at the Northern Ireland international players who have featured in the Football League First Division or the Premier League from one season per decade over the past seventy years...

- 1946/47 - 1956/57 - 1966/67 - 1976/77 - 1986/87 - 1996/97 - 2006/07 - 2016/17 -

The 50 Cap Club

Chris Brunt on the occasion
of his 50th cap, vs Romania
13th June 2015

Last night Chris Brunt played his 50th game for Northern Ireland, becoming the 33rd player to reach this landmark. With no slight intended to Chris, statistically he is the "least regular" player to have reached that landmark, playing in just 54% of games since his debut against Switzerland in 2004.

50 caps used to be an incredibly difficult landmark to reach, the first person to so so was Danny Blanchflower in 1961, 79 years after we'd played our first international match. Up to the 1950s (Northern) Ireland, with only a few exceptions, played just three games a season, so a player would have had to not miss a match for nearly 17 years to reach the landmark. Indeed, prior to Blanchflower the record stood at 31 by Elisha Scott (1920-36) who, although his career almost stretched to the appropriate length, often struggled to secure his release from club duty. World War One also got in the way, he had made his First Division debut for Liverpool in 1913 but had to wait seven years to make an international appearance, years that might just have brought him to the magical mark.

The 30 caps won by Olphie Stanfield between 1887 and 1897 was perhaps more impressive as he missed just 3 matches in 11 seasons (playing 91% of the possible games) as an international, most, if not all, while an amateur player. When Stanfield started his international career Ireland's record cap holder (Billy Crone) had ten caps, and his record lasted 39 years until surpassed by Scott.

Since the 50 cap barrier was finally broken more and more players have been able to join the club, aided by World Cup qualifiers (and finals), the European Nations Cup/Championships and more and more friendlies. It is notable that the first three members of the club had the benefit of five World Cup finals appearances, though in reality, none of them needed these games to surpass the mark. Billy Bingham played in a remarkable 93% of the possible games during his international career, including a still record run of 43 consecutive games.

The first three members of the 50 Cap Club show off watches awarded to them by their former club, Glentoran in 1963

The 1970s presented just three more 50-cappers, but bear in mind that Northern Ireland rarely played a friendly match in this era and enjoyed no qualification successes. However, many of the players who went on to top 50 caps in the 1980s built a solid caps foundation in the otherwise fruitless '70s, notably Bryan Hamilton who was gifted his landmark, and final, cap during the IFA's Centenary tour of Australia despite having barely played a club game the previous season. Also, pity poor Pat Rice who's career stalled at 49 caps in 1979, despite still playing another 5 years as a regular for Arsenal and Graeme Taylor's successful Watford.

The 1980s saw ten players awarded their half-century of caps, with three of those players only reaching that landmark courtesy of appearances at the 1982 and/or 1986 World Cups. Only four of those ten played in more than 80% of the available matches, with Sammy Nelson playing in just 60% games during his 11 year international career as he scraped over the line to 51 caps in Spain courtesy of Mal Donaghy's red card against the hosts. Other than that blot, Mal played in 91% of possible matches, a figure only bettered by Bingham and Blanchflower who both played during a very different era.

As the quiet late-80s ticked into the even quieter 1990s a a couple of stalwarts of the World Cup sides joined the club. Notionally, Alan McDonald would not have made it if not for those three games in Mexico in 1986, but then Bryan Hamilton may have taken sympathy and offered Big Mac a couple more run outs, remembering he was still a regular for QPR in Premier League at the time of his last appearance and would enjoy a few more seasons in the first team in the lower leagues with QPR and then Swindon.

Maik Taylor

In 1998 Iain Dowie became the first post World Cups "Anglo" to reach the magic-fifty and he was soon joined by three players who had been blooded as youngsters in the early-90s - Michael Hughes, Gerry Taggart and Jim Magilton. Each of these three could have reached higher totals if not for various fallings out with club and country managements.

The golden era of the mid-2000s saw a clutch of new club members. The remarkably loyal Anglo/German import Maik Taylor played in 81% of possible matches having had to initially share goalkeeping duties with Roy Carroll and latterly Lee Camp. David Healy played 86% of possible matches, including a run of 38 consecutive appearances - he would surely have surpassed Bingham's record of 43 had he not been ridiculously red-carded in a World Cup qualifier against Wales.

James Quinn also limped over the line with a "sympathy appearance" as a late sub against Latvia in 2006. This illustrates another factor that eases players towards higher cap totals, for 15 of Quinn's caps were won as a substitute, while this was not an option at all prior to the 1960s, and even then initially only a single substitute was allowed, whereas nowadays virtually the entire team can be replaced during friendlies.

Of the current players, particular kudos must go to Steven Davis who has played in 85% of possible matches in the past decade. The next players who might join the club are Kyle Lafferty and Jonny Evans, both of who currently hold 43 caps. The real question might be, can anyone join Pat Jennings in the 100 Cap Club?

Pat Jennings, the only member
of the "100 Cap Club"

50 Cap Club Members (by year joined)
1960s
1961 Danny Blanchflower (total 56 1949-62) 91.8%
1962 Billy Bingham (56 1951-63) 93.3%
1962 Jimmy McIlroy (55 1951-65) 76.4%
1970s
1972 Terry Neill (59 1961-73) 86.8%
1974 Pat Jennings (119 1964-86) 81.0%
1979 Allan Hunter (53 1969-79) 82.8%
1980s
1980 Bryan Hamilton (50 1968-80) 65.8%
1981 Sammy McIlroy (88 1972-86) 82.2%
1982 Sammy Nelson (51 1971-82) 60.0%
1982 Martin O'Neill (64 1971-84) 67.4%
1982 Jimmy Nicholl (73 1976-86) 90.1%
1983 Chris Nicholl (51 1975-83) 73.9%

71 caps, but Michael Hughes
could have won many more

1983 Gerry Armstrong (63 1977-86) 84.0%
1985 David McCreery (67 1976-90) 66.3%
1987 Mal Donaghy (91 1980-94) 91.0%
1988 John McClelland (53 1980-90) 67.9%
1990s
1994 Nigel Worthington (66 1984-97) 78.6%
1995 Alan McDonald (52 1985-95) 77.6%
1998 Iain Dowie (59 1990-99) 86.8%
1999 Michael Hughes (71 1991-2004) 73.2%
2000s
2001 Gerry Taggart (51 1990-2002) 57.3%
2001 Jim Magilton (52 1991-2002) 64.2%
2003 Keith Gillespie (86 1994-2008) 74.8%
2005 Maik Taylor (88 1999-2011) 80.7%
2006 David Healy (95 2000-13) 86.4%
2006 Aaron Hughes (96 1998-2015) 68.6%
2006 James Quinn (50 1996-2007) 58.1%
2009 Damien Johnson (56 1999-2009) 64.4%
2010s

Emma Higgins' 50th cap

2010 Stephen Craigan (54 2003-2011) 74.0%
2011 Chris Baird (72 2003-15) 69.9%
2011 Steven Davis (74 2005-15) 85.1%
2014 Gareth McAuley (53 2005-15) 63.1%
2015 Chris Brunt (50 2004-15) 54.3%

In the women's internationals six players have reached the fifty mark. Kelly Bailie, Nadene Caldwell, Emma Higgins, Ashley Hutton, Julie Nelson and Demi Vance.

Since this article was written, Aaron Hughes has surpassed 100 caps and Kyle Lafferty, Jonny Evans and Niall McGinn have joined the 50 cap club.

New Away Kit!

The Irish FA has announced that they will be launching Northern Ireland's new change kit ahead of the forthcoming match against Cyprus. A full statement can be found on the Irish FA's website...

Other links:

Leaked photo?

See Also:

Kits Out

Press Release: National Stadium Project

 THE Irish Football Association today welcomed Alex Attwood’s announcement that planning permission has been granted for the redevelopment of the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park.

“Receiving planning permission from DOE Planning is another major step in the Windsor Park redevelopment project and a great step forward for football in Northern Ireland,” said Irish FA President, Jim Shaw.  “Everyone involved in the project has worked extremely hard to get to this stage and I would like to thank everyone involved in the project as well as all the stakeholders who shared their thoughts during the consultation process.  The National Football Stadium plans are truly impressive and I know that once the redevelopment project is complete Windsor Park will be a stadium which we will all be proud of.” 

Following a consultation process with the local community and stakeholders across Northern Ireland, which included giving people the opportunity to submit their thoughts on the redevelopment project through the Irish FA website (www.irishfa.com); the design team led by Hamilton Architects, Planning Consultants RPS and the Irish FA finalised the planning application before its submission in December.

Thanks to DCAL support the Irish FA intends to reconstruct Windsor Park so that up to 18,000 fans can be accommodated. This will cost in the region of £29.2m with £25.2m coming from government funds.  It is planned that work on the project will begin in September 2013.

The Stadium Redevelopment will comprise:

 

• Provision of an 18,000 seated stadium;
• Demolition of the south stand;
• Replacement of the south and east stands with newly constructed stands to provide greater enclosure;
• Refurbishment of the west and north stands;
• Replacement of high mast flood lights with lower level lighting, integrated at stadium roof height;
• Creation of a temporary construction access onto Boucher Road to avoid construction impact on local residents;
• Development of ancillary office accommodation to provide a new headquarters for the Irish Football Association; and
• Development of an appropriate level of conference and community facilities.

Sport Minister Carál Ni Chuilín commented: “This marks another important stage in the re-development of Windsor Park.   The Irish Football Association is now able to move to the next stage of their ambition to create a modern stadium to cater for the needs of the whole football community. I am sure the new ground will be enjoyed by generations to come.  Today’s progress also represents another step in my Department’s regional sports stadiums programme which follows the Executive pledge of up to £110 million  of government funding for the redevelopment of three regional sports stadiums at Ravenhill, Windsor Park and Casement Park.”

See also:
Windsor Park

Transfers - January 2013

Northern Ireland players on the move during the January 2012 transfer window.

Please help us to keep this up-to-date!

Transfers:
Sean Friars (Dungannon Swifts to Carrick Rangers) story
Mark McChrystal (Tranmere Rovers to Bristol Rovers) story
Lee Colligan (Coleraine to Carrick Rangers) story
Darren Kelly (Garforth Town to Scarborough Athletic) story
Ivan Sproule (Hibernian to Ross County) story
Paul McAreavey (unattached to Donegal Celtic)
Sammy Stewart (Ambassadors to Portadown) story
Wayne Drummond (Crusaders to Harland & Wolff Welders) story
Lee Camp (Nottingham Forest to Norwich City) story
David McDaid (Derry City to York City) story
Sammy Clingan (Doncaster Rovers to Kilmarnock) story story
Brian Gilfillan (Clyde to Peterhead) story
Gerard McMahon (Glenavon to Loughgall) story (playing registration, joined as coach in October)

Loan Deals:
Adam Thompson (Watford to Barnet) story (cancelled due to injury)
Lee Hodson (Watford to Brentford) story (extension)
Ryan McGivern (Manchester City to Hibernian) story (extension)
Caolan Lavery (Sheffield Wednesday to Southend United) story
Luke McCullough (Manchester United to Cheltenham Town) story
Shay McCartan (Burnley to Hyde) story
David Morgan (Nottingham Forest to Dundee) story
Johnny Gorman (Wolverhampton Wanderers to Macclesfield) story

Released:
Daryl Fordyce (Linfield) story

See also:
Transfers January 2012
Transfers Summer 2012

Fans’ Farewell to McDonald

Irish FA Press Release:

On Wednesday night the Irish FA is planning to honour the life and contribution of the late Alan McDonald. The former captain was held in high esteem in the footballing world which was rocked when the devastating news was announced in June. Alan McDonald’s sudden death stunned everyone and fans are still mourning the loss of one of football’s gentlemen. The Finland game will be the first international since McDonald’s passing and the Irish FA want to give fans an opportunity to hold their own personal tribute.

The Alan’s son and brother will lead out the teams before the match and a minute’s applause will echo around Windsor Park.

Picture: Presseye

Geoff Wilson, Head of Marketing and Communications at the Irish FA said, “Members of Alan’s family will be on the pitch and we are hoping to play the infamous interview that Alan gave after the England match over the PA system around 7.30pm before kick off. We also have a dedicated section in the match programme with various tributes . It will be very emotional but we spoke to a lot of supporters clubs and they all want to pay their respects”.

The Irish FA is urging fans to get into their seats early.

Geoff continued “We would like fans to be in Windsor Park by 7.25pm really, so that they can pay their respects to Alan and give his family a special moment to remember”.

Gary McAlister of the AONISC said, "Alan gave tremendous service to the Northern Ireland team and remained a passionate supporter long after his playing career came to an end. The tribute before the Finland game will allow us all to show our appreciation. I know that many fans travel from across the country to get to Windsor Park, but I would ask everyone to make a special effort just this once to try and get to the stadium for 7:30pm so that the tribute can be a fitting one."

New NI Home Kit Unveiled

Irish FA Press Release

THE long wait is finally over – the Irish FA can today officially unveil the new adidas Northern Ireland home kit.

The new Northern Ireland kit from adidas is officially unveiled

The launch of the kit is part of a new long-term deal with world-renowned kit manufacturers adidas.

The home kit comprises of a green shirt with white pinstripes and collar, white shorts and predominantly green socks and encompasses the traditional adidas three stripes on the sleeves.

Sammy Clingan wears the
new adidas Northern Ireland
home kit

Supporters can now pre-order the kit online at www.irishfa.com, in store at JJB Sports and in independent sports shops across Northern Ireland. The kit will be available to buy on Thursday 9 August.

NI Fans members can still avail of their 10% discount by using the unique voucher code that will be sent to you by JJB Sports or alternatively present your membership card in-store.

The Irish FA shop at Windsor Avenue will be closing at the end of the month; however through the Association’s official retail partner, JJB Sports, fans will be able to buy the new Northern Ireland kit, training range and exclusive leisure products. JJB Sports will be installing Northern Ireland ‘in-store shops’ in their premises as well as managing the new online shop through www.irishfa.com.

Irish FA Head of Marketing and Communications, Geoff Wilson, said: “We have a history of success with adidas that goes back to the 1980’s and it is fantastic to team up again with them. We played in two World Cups in adidas kits and this new Northern Ireland range has a retro feel to it that we are sure the fans will love. We beat Spain in the World Cup in an adidas kit and it is very apt that 30 years later we are now launching our new partnership that we hope will propel us to more success on the International stage.”

So why not pre-order the new Northern Ireland shirt today!

Picture Credit: Darren Kidd / Press Eye

See Also:

Kits Out

Transfers - Summer 2012

Players on the move during the summer of 2012 and through to the January 2013 transfer window...

Have we missed anyone? Let us know via email, twitter or the comments form below.

Transfers
Stuart Dallas (Crusaders to Brentford) story
Lee Colligan (ex-Ballymena United to Coleraine) story
Maik Taylor (Leeds United to Millwall) story
Matt Hazley (Crusaders to Dungannon Swifts) story
Chris Casement (Linfield to Portadown) story
Caolan Lavery (ex-Ipswich Town to Sheffield Wednesday) story
Kris Lindsay (Linfield to Glenavon) story
Johnny Taylor (Glentoran to Ballymena United) story
Wayne Drummond (ex-Ballymena United to Crusaders) story
Ryan McCann (Crusaders to Lisburn Distillery) story
Conor Devlin (ex-Brentford to Cliftonville) story
Jamie Douglas (Preston North End to Dungannon Swifts) story story
Sean McCashin (Lisburn Distillery to Glenavon) story
David Buchanan (Tranmere Rovers to Preston North End) story
Robbie Weir (Tranmere Rovers to Burton Albion) story story
Michael O'Connor (Scunthorpe United to Rotherham United) story
Josh McQuoid (Millwall to AFC Bournemouth) story
Trevor Carson (Sunderland to Bury) story
Alan Julian (Stevenage to Newport County) story story
Rory McArdle (Aberdeen to Bradford City) story story
Damien Johnson (Plymouth Argyle to Fleetwood Town) story story
Johnny Flynn (Ross County to Falkirk) story
Brian McLean (Preston North End to Dundee United) story story
Jonny Tuffey (Inverness Caledonian Thistle to St Johnstone) story story
Marc Smyth (Greenock Morton to Cliftonville) story
Oliver Norwood (Manchester United to Huddersfield Town) story
Kyle Lafferty (Rangers to FC Sion) story story
James McPake (Coventry City to Hibernian) story
George McCartney (Sunderland to West Ham United) story
Niall McGinn (Celtic to Aberdeen) story story
Seanan Clucas (Preston North End to Bristol Rovers) story
Tommy Doherty (Bath City to Exeter City) story
Steven Davis (Rangers to Southampton) story story
Michael Corcoran (Dover Athletic to Brackley Town) story
Dean Holden (Rochdale to Walsall) story story
Ryan Burns (Oldham Athletic to Portadown) story
David Larmour (Lisburn Distillery to H&W Welders) story story
Richard Graham (Dartford to St Albans City) story
Conor McLaughlin (Preston North End to Fleetwood Town) story story
Eddie McCallion (Derry City to Glenavon) story
Jason Mooney (Wycombe Wanderers to Tranmere Rovers) story story
Tommy Stewart (Partick Thistle to Shamrock Rovers) story story
Shea Campbell (Dungannon Swifts to Annagh United) story
Dean Shiels (Kilmarnock to Rangers) story
Ryan Blake (Brentford to Ebbsfleet United) story story
Mark Hughes (Barnet to Eastleigh) story story
Matthew Ball (Norwich City to Stevenage) story story
James Gray (Kettering Town to Accrington Stanley) story
Adam Barton (Preston North End to Coventry City) story
Wes Boyle (Portadown to Loughgall) story story
Chris Turner (Shamrock Rovers to Dumbarton) story
Bryan Gilfillan (Annan Athletic to Clyde) story
David Healy (Rangers to Bury) story
Josh Robinson (Rangers to Crusaders) story
Conor Thompson (Swindon Town to Gloucester City) story
Andy Smith (Union Royale Namur to Carrick Rangers)  story cancelled story
Stuart Elliott (ex-Hamilton Academical to Glentoran) story
James Knowles (Blackburn Rovers to Cliftonville) story story

Jonathan Breeze (Wigan Athletic to Colwyn Bay) story story
Phil McGrath (Oldham Athletic to FC United) story
Gareth Deane (Q.P.R. to Linfield) story
Sam Wilson (Eastleigh to Poole Town) story story
James Stevens (Southend United to Witham Town) story
Conor Thompson (Swindon Town to Torquay United (via Gloucester City and Chippenham Town)) story
Michael Bryan (Watford to Daventry Town) story story

Youth Forms
Conor Mitchell (Dominican College (Portstewart) to Burnley) story
Aaron McEneff (Institute to Tottenham Hotspur) story
Liam Donnelly (Dungannon Swifts to Fulham) story
Matthew Buchanan (Dungannon Swifts/Killen to West Bromwich Albion)
Jamie McDonagh (Linfield to Sheffield United)
Josh Doherty (to Watford)
Eoghan McCawl (Linfield to Hull City)
Sean Mullan (Foyle Harps to Sheffield Wednesday)
Cameron Dummigan (Cliftonville to Burnley) story
George Gray (Linfield to Preston North End)

Loans
Matthew Lund (Stoke City to Bristol Rovers) story
Johnny Gorman (Wolverhampton Wanderers to Plymouth Argyle) story
Adam Thompson (Watford to Wycombe Wanderers) story
Ryan McGivern (Manchester City to Hibernian) story
David Morgan (Nottingham Forest to Lincoln City) story
Kirk Millar (Oldham Athletic to Chorley) story
Caolan McAleer (Partick Thistle to Arthurlie Juniors) story

Transfer Listed
Grant McCann (Peterborough United)  story story

Released
Sammy Clingan (Coventry City) story
Stephen Craigan (Motherwell) story (retired)
Michael McLellan (Preston North End) story
Aaron Callaghan (Lisburn Distillery) story
Michael Ward (Dungannon Swifts) story
Peter McCann (Glenavon) story
Ciaran Toner (Guiseley) story
Liam Bagnall (Sunderland) story
Paul Morgan (Macclesfield) story
Jonathan Cosgrove (Fulham) story
Ben McKenna (Carlisle United) story (joined Workington March 2013)
Owen Morrison (Derry City) story

Related:
January 2012 Transfers
Summer 2011 Transfers
Million Pound Men

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