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Albert Finlay



Name: Albert Finlay
Born:
Height:
Weight:
Position: Goalkeeper

Representative Honours: Northern Ireland: 1 Amateur Cap (1965); Irish League: 6 Caps (1966-1970).
Club Honours: (with Glentoran) Irish League Champion 1963/64, 1966/67, 1967/68, 1969/70; Irish Cup Winner 1965/66, Runner-Up 1963/64, 1966/67; Gold Cup Winner 1966/67, Runner-Up 1963/64, 1968/69, 1969/70, 1970/71; City Cup Winner 1964/65, 1966/67, 1969/70; Ulster Cup Winner 1966/67, Runner-Up 1964/65, 1967/68; Co. Antrim Shield Winner 1970/71, Runner-Up 1963/64.

Club Career:
Clubs
Seasons
Signed
Fee
League
Europe
Other
Whiteabbey Presbyterian
-
-
-
-
-
Glentoran
63/64-71/72
1963
Amateur
*440(0)/0
16(0)/0
-
TOTALS
£-
440(0)/0
16(0)/0
-
* all domestic games.

Biography:
Albert Finlay is regarded as perhaps Glentoran's greatest ever goalkeeper, and certainly the best in the Irish League during the late-sixties. As well as numerous representative honours and countless winner's medals, Finlay's finest moment was perhaps a full-length penalty save in a 1-1 draw with Benfica at the Oval in 1967. A steeplejack by trade, it was a fall at work that damaged his back and forced Finlay's premature retirement from football.

A Glentoran XI faced a Showbiz XI in Finlay's testimonial on 30th November 1970.

Most of the Finlay family enjoyed success with a different "sport", wrestling. His father, brother and most notably his nephew, David "Fit" Finlay.

Northern Ireland Amateur Cap Details:
25-09-1965 England H L 0-2

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

Irish League Representative Appearance Details:
21-09-1966 Football League.. A L 0-12
22-03-1967 League of Ireland H W 3- 1
06-09-1967 Scottish League.. H L 0- 2
25-10-1967 League of Ireland A L 2- 3
19-11-1969 Scottish League.. A L 2- 5
17-03-1970 League of Ireland A W 2- 0

Summary: 6/0. Won 2, Drew 0, Lost 4.

Comments

billy jackson said…
Albert Finlay was my first football hero and the reason I became a goalie although when I moved to America I switched to forward. Still can remember watching him with his massive punts and penchant for saving penalties. Sorry to hear he had to retire early.
Anonymous said…
Albert was brilliant. I have been watching the Glens for 50 years and Albert is still my favourite, but current goalkeeper Elliott Morris is right up there too. - He has now played over 500 games and is an amazing servant to the club!
Thomas McKee said…
Albert was great, but Glentoran’s best ever Goalkeeper is still playing. Elliott Morris 748 appearances and rising.
Elliott has been Number 1 choice for a host of Managers. That tells you everything.