Pat Sharkey

Name: Patrick George Sharp Sharkey
Born: 26 August 1953, Omagh
Height: 5.08 ft
Weight: 10.08 st
Position: Midfielder

Representative Honours: 1 Full Cap (1976).

Club Career:

Teams	Seasons	Signed	Fee	League	FA Cup	FL Cup	Other
Portadown	-	-72	-	-	-	-	-
Ipswich Town	75/6-76/7	Sep-73	-	17(1)/1	-	1(0)/0	-
Millwall	76/7	Nov-76	Loan	7(0)/0	-	-	-
Mansfield T.	77/8	Aug-77	Free	31(1)/5	2(0)/0	-	-
Colchester U.	78/79	Jun-78	-	5(1)/0	-	1(1)/0	-
Peterborough	78/9-79/0	Mar-79	£8,000	15(0)/0	1(0)/0	1(0)/0	-
Portadown	-	-81	-	-	-	-	-
Po Chai Pills	-	-	-	(Hong Kong)
Portadown	-	-83	-	-	-	-	-
Omagh Town	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Garforth Town	-	-	-	(Northern Counties East League)
TOTALS	-	£8,000		75(3)/6	3(0)/0	3(1)/0	-

Biography:
One of just a handful of Omagh-born players to play at the highest level, Pat Sharkey made his name as a teenager with Portadown. Transferred to Ipswich in September 1973, he had to wait over two years for his League debut, Manchester City held 1-1 at Maine Road on 25 October 1975. Over the following two seasons Sharkey played 18 League games, scoring just once in a 2-1 win at Arsenal in April 1976. He was awarded his only cap against Scotland in May 1976. It was a disappointing match all round. Northern Ireland were again forced to play another “home” match in Glasgow despite the fact England, Wales, Sweden and Norway had all played in Belfast in the previous twelve months. Scotland, 2-0 up at half-time, cruised to an easy 3-0 win with Sharkey replaced after 61 minutes.

Never really established at Portman Road, Sharkey made his final top-flight appearance against Middlesbrough on 23 April 1977 and was released that summer. In August he signed with Mansfield Town who were embarking on their first ever season in Division Two. Despite a career best tally of five goals, including a penalty strike against England-‘keeper Peter Shilton in a 2-1 win over Stoke, Sharkey couldn’t help the Stags avoid instant relegation. New Mansfield boss Billy Bingham allowed Sharkey to leave Field Mill in the summer of 1978.

Bobby Roberts brought Sharkey to Colchester at the start of the 1978/79 campaign, and he got off to a bad start, missing a crucial penalty in a League Cup tie with Charlton. He never really established himself at Layer Road, his apparent lazy attitude not going down well, and was transferred to Peterborugh United on transfer deadline day 1979. His time with the Posh was overshadowed when he was caught by police, along with several teammates, drinking illegally.

Oft criticised for his fondness of a drink, Sharkey returned to Portadown in 1980 and also spent some time playing in Hong Kong. Later he played with Omagh Town at intermediate level and ran soccer schools for children. He remained fit and active, and at fifty years-old played for non-League Garforth Town.

Pride of Anglia (Ipswich Site) - Some good pictures and insight

Northern Ireland Cap Details:
08-05-1976 Scotland A L 0-3 BC

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

𝟲𝟬 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗱 🏟

𝗡𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 5️⃣4️⃣ - 𝗣𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘆

PFC Player | 1972-73, 1981 & 1983-84 pic.twitter.com/PyDEijSf7q

— Portadown FC (@Portadownfc) June 2, 2023