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Fran O'Brien (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Fran O'Brien was an Irish
soccer player during the 1970s and 1980s. He was the first player to be capped for the Republic of Ireland
playing in U.S.
, earning a total of four caps.
and Eddie Byrne (footballer)
to the Philadelphia Fury
of the North American Soccer League
(NASL). When the Fury moved to Montreal after the 1980 season, O'Brien went with the team and spent the next two seasons with the renamed Montreal Manic
. In 1983, he signed with the Vancouver Whitecaps
and spent the next two season with them. In 1984, he was a second team NASL All Star with the Whitecaps. When the NASL folded at the end of the 1984 season, O'Brien signed with the Dallas Sidekicks
of Major Indoor Soccer League
(MISL). The Sidekicks released him on September 10, 1985 and he moved to the Tacoma Stars. He spent two seasons with the Stars before retiring and settling in Washington State.
in the U.S.
He is the father of Leighton O'Brien
and Ciaran O'Brien
, brother of Derek O'Brien
and the uncle of Mark O'Brien.
Coach of U15 GRFC 94 Blue
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,...
soccer player during the 1970s and 1980s. He was the first player to be capped for the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
playing in U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, earning a total of four caps.
Player
He won a league winners medal with Bohemians in 1974/75. During his career with Bohs, Fran made 62 league appearances with 1 goal and 8 appearances in European competition scoring 1 goal. In 1978, O'Brien moved along with Pat ByrnePat Byrne
Pat Byrne is a former Irish football player and manager.-Playing career:A central midfielder, Byrne's playing career started with Bohemians, his debut coming against St Patricks Athletic on 25 August 1974...
and Eddie Byrne (footballer)
Eddie Byrne (footballer)
Eddie Byrne was an Irish soccer player during the 1970s.He played for Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians amongst others during his career in the League of Ireland. He began his career at Rovers in 1969 and spent 3 seasons at Glenmalure Park before joining Bohs for one season...
to the Philadelphia Fury
Philadelphia Fury
The Philadelphia Fury was a soccer team based in Philadelphia that played in the North American Soccer League from 1978 to 1980. Among the club's investors were rock musicians Rick Wakeman, Peter Frampton and Paul Simon. The team played at Veterans Stadium....
of the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
(NASL). When the Fury moved to Montreal after the 1980 season, O'Brien went with the team and spent the next two seasons with the renamed Montreal Manic
Montreal Manic
Montreal Manic were a soccer team based out of Montreal that played in the NASL. They played from 1981 to 1983. Their home field was Olympic Stadium...
. In 1983, he signed with the Vancouver Whitecaps
Vancouver Whitecaps (NASL)
The original Vancouver Whitecaps were founded on December 11, 1973 and during the 1970s and 1980s played in the North American Soccer League . The Whitecaps achieved success, winning the 1979 Soccer Bowl. The Whitecaps of that era included international players such as Alan Ball, but also "home...
and spent the next two season with them. In 1984, he was a second team NASL All Star with the Whitecaps. When the NASL folded at the end of the 1984 season, O'Brien signed with the Dallas Sidekicks
Dallas Sidekicks
The Dallas Sidekicks were one of the longest operating professional soccer teams, either indoor or outdoor, in the United States, based in Dallas, Texas, and operating from 1984 until suspending operations following the 2004 season. The team was founded as a member of the original Major Indoor...
of Major Indoor Soccer League
Major Soccer League
The Major Indoor Soccer League, known in its final two seasons as the Major Soccer League, was an indoor soccer league in the USA from 1978 to 1992. After the folding of the North American Soccer League in 1984, the MISL was the Division I soccer league for the United States...
(MISL). The Sidekicks released him on September 10, 1985 and he moved to the Tacoma Stars. He spent two seasons with the Stars before retiring and settling in Washington State.
Coach
He is the current head coach of Tacoma Tide of the amateur USL Premier Development LeagueUSL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
in the U.S.
He is the father of Leighton O'Brien
Leighton O'Brien
Leighton O'Brien is an American soccer player, currently serving as the Director of Coaching for the Renton Football Club for youth since 2006 and the head coach of the Seattle Sounders Women....
and Ciaran O'Brien
Ciaran O'Brien
Ciaran Patrick O'Brien is an American soccer player who currently plays for Atlanta Silverbacks in the North American Soccer League.-Youth and College:...
, brother of Derek O'Brien
Derek O'Brien (footballer born 1957)
Derek O'Brien was an Irish soccer player who played in the League of Ireland during the 1980s.O'Brien was a right back who played for Boston United, Bohemians, Dundalk, Shamrock Rovers, Athlone Town, Longford Town and Home Farm F.C.. He represented Ireland at youth level and won a league winners...
and the uncle of Mark O'Brien.
Honours
- League of IrelandLeague of IrelandThe 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...
: 1- Bohemians - 1974/75
- FAI CupFAI CupThe Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
: 1- Bohemians - 1976
Coach of U15 GRFC 94 Blue