Jim Cleary (Northern Irish footballer)
Encyclopedia
James "Jim" Cleary is a former Northern Ireland
international footballer who played for Enniskillen Rangers, Portadown
and Glentoran
.
Cleary began his career with Enniskillen Rangers before making the step up to the Irish League with Portadown in 1975. He spent five seasons at Portadown before moving to Glentoran in 1980.
He is widely regarded as one of the best footballers to have represented Glentoran in the 1980s, as well as one of the best in the Irish League during this period. Cleary was noted for his passing and shooting skills with his left foot and an excellent scoring record from midfield. Glentoran won two Irish League championships and six Irish Cups during his nine-year stay, which also included a few notable European performances.
Cleary was one of four Irish League players to be included in Billy Bingham's World Cup squad in 1982. He had five caps for the Northern Ireland national football team
. He was named the Ulster Footballer of the Year
for the 1982/83 season.
Northern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
international footballer who played for Enniskillen Rangers, Portadown
Portadown F.C.
Portadown F.C. is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club which plays in the IFA Premiership.The club was founded in the late 1880s and joined the Irish League in 1924. It is based in Portadown in County Armagh and plays its home games at Shamrock Park...
and Glentoran
Glentoran F.C.
Glentoran F.C. is a semi-professional, football club in Northern Ireland. The club was founded in 1882 and plays its home games at the Oval in east Belfast. Club colours are green, red, and black.Glentoran's biggest rivals are Linfield...
.
Cleary began his career with Enniskillen Rangers before making the step up to the Irish League with Portadown in 1975. He spent five seasons at Portadown before moving to Glentoran in 1980.
He is widely regarded as one of the best footballers to have represented Glentoran in the 1980s, as well as one of the best in the Irish League during this period. Cleary was noted for his passing and shooting skills with his left foot and an excellent scoring record from midfield. Glentoran won two Irish League championships and six Irish Cups during his nine-year stay, which also included a few notable European performances.
Cleary was one of four Irish League players to be included in Billy Bingham's World Cup squad in 1982. He had five caps for the Northern Ireland national football team
Northern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
. He was named the Ulster Footballer of the Year
Ulster Footballer of the Year
The Ulster Footballer of the Year is the older of two association football player of the year awards in Northern Ireland. It is awarded by Castlereagh Glentoran Supporters' Club to the player who is adjudged by an independent committee to have been the best of the season in the IFA Premiership...
for the 1982/83 season.