Fergus Crawford
Encyclopedia
Fergus Crawford was an Irish
professional footballer. Crawford was brought up on the Phibsboro Road in Dublin, Ireland, in the shadow of Dalymount Park
.
provided a safer place to kickabout and he was soon spotted there by scouts from Bulfin United, a feeder club for St Patrick's Athletic. Crawford soon moved on to St.Patricks and whilst there he achieved several major honours including Presidents Cup, FAI Intermediate Cup
, two League of Ireland
winners medals (1954/55 and 1955/56), and an FAI cup runners up medal in 1954.
He played many times for the League of Ireland in Inter League games that at that time were regarded as the equivalent of full internationals. After a 1952 game against the Football League of England, when as a 19 year old he marked Stanley Matthews
, he received excellent reviews for his mature performance and refusal to be drawn to the tackle. Matthews himself heaped praise upon the young Crawford.
He was picked for the full international squad on more than one occasion but did not receive a full international cap despite having "warmed the bench", most notably against Yugoslavia in 1955. He was incredibly unlucky in that regard as at that time only one substitution was allowed.
Crawford founded the Professional Footballers Association of Ireland
with the help of the legendary English footballer Jimmy Hill
during the 1950s. This association remains active today in promoting the welfare of Irish soccer players.
Following a contractual dispute with St.Pats that kept him out of football for almost two years he returned to League of Ireland football for the 1959 - 1960 season with Limerick F.C.
This was despite offers from big English clubs including Arsenal
. It proved a great move for Limerick as, for the first of only two times in their history, they won the League championship.
Crawford is fondly remembered by many soccer fans as a cultured and lightning fast fullback, regarded by many to the best Irish player in that position never to play a full international. He lived quietly in his native Dublin following the end of his career and died at home aged 51 in Dublin in August 1985 following a long illness and in the presence of his family.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
professional footballer. Crawford was brought up on the Phibsboro Road in Dublin, Ireland, in the shadow of Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park is an Irish football stadium situated on Dublin's Northside. It is the home of Bohemian F.C., who have played there since the early 20th century. Affectionately known as 'Dalyer' by fans, it was also historically the "home of Irish football" holding Irish internationals and FAI Cup...
.
Career
Crawford's football career started when he was instructed by the local constabulary to stop playing football on the roads. The local Phoenix ParkPhoenix Park
Phoenix Park is an urban park in Dublin, Ireland, lying 2–4 km west of the city centre, north of the River Liffey. Its 16 km perimeter wall encloses , one of the largest walled city parks in Europe. It includes large areas of grassland and tree-lined avenues, and since the seventeenth...
provided a safer place to kickabout and he was soon spotted there by scouts from Bulfin United, a feeder club for St Patrick's Athletic. Crawford soon moved on to St.Patricks and whilst there he achieved several major honours including Presidents Cup, FAI Intermediate Cup
FAI Intermediate Cup
The FAI Intermediate Cup is an annual knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland outside of the League of Ireland and also not open to clubs who play in leagues permitting the use of public pitches...
, two League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
winners medals (1954/55 and 1955/56), and an FAI cup runners up medal in 1954.
He played many times for the League of Ireland in Inter League games that at that time were regarded as the equivalent of full internationals. After a 1952 game against the Football League of England, when as a 19 year old he marked Stanley Matthews
Stanley Matthews
Sir Stanley Matthews, CBE was an English footballer. Often regarded as one of the greatest players of the English game, he is the only player to have been knighted while still playing, as well as being the first winner of both the European Footballer of the Year and the Football Writers'...
, he received excellent reviews for his mature performance and refusal to be drawn to the tackle. Matthews himself heaped praise upon the young Crawford.
He was picked for the full international squad on more than one occasion but did not receive a full international cap despite having "warmed the bench", most notably against Yugoslavia in 1955. He was incredibly unlucky in that regard as at that time only one substitution was allowed.
Crawford founded the Professional Footballers Association of Ireland
Professional Footballers Association of Ireland
The Professional Footballers' Association of Ireland ' is the representative body for professional and semi-professional footballers in Ireland. Players from all nationalities in the League of Ireland are represented, not just Irish players. It is a member of FIFPro; the international body for...
with the help of the legendary English footballer Jimmy Hill
Jimmy Hill
James William Thomas "Jimmy" Hill OBE is an English association football personality. His career has taken in virtually every role in football, including player, union leader, coach, manager, director, chairman, television executive, presenter, analyst and match official.-Early life:Hill was born...
during the 1950s. This association remains active today in promoting the welfare of Irish soccer players.
Following a contractual dispute with St.Pats that kept him out of football for almost two years he returned to League of Ireland football for the 1959 - 1960 season with Limerick F.C.
Limerick F.C.
Limerick Football Club is an association football club based in Limerick, Ireland. The club currently play in the First Division of the League of Ireland. The first Limerick FC was founded in 1937 and has had a number of guises through its history, known at different times as Limerick FC, Limerick...
This was despite offers from big English clubs including Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
. It proved a great move for Limerick as, for the first of only two times in their history, they won the League championship.
Crawford is fondly remembered by many soccer fans as a cultured and lightning fast fullback, regarded by many to the best Irish player in that position never to play a full international. He lived quietly in his native Dublin following the end of his career and died at home aged 51 in Dublin in August 1985 following a long illness and in the presence of his family.