Liam Burns
Encyclopedia
Liam Burns is a Northern Irish professional footballer who currently plays as a central defender for Bohemians
in the League of Ireland
Premier Division.
, but began his career in England
as a trainee with Port Vale
. After 119 league appearances in seven years was released by manager Martin Foyle
in May 2004. This came four years after being transfer listed by Brian Horton
following the clubs humiliating FA Cup
defeat to Canvey Island
.
Burns went on to play in briefs spells for Bristol Rovers
, Shrewsbury Town
, Kidderminster Harriers
and Forest Green Rovers
(who he signed for on non-contract terms in January 2005) before returning to Ireland.
He played for Sligo Rovers
winning the First Division in 2005 and helped them to a fifth place finish in their first season in the Premier Division.
When Sean Connor
left Sligo for Bohemians
at the end of the 2006 season, Burns soon followed him to Dalymount Park
and became a regular in the first XI. He netted his first goal for Bohs against his former club Sligo on 21 March 2008 in a 2-1 win. Burns played a big part in Bohs' great defensive record as they have marched to the 2008 title. His form was rewarded when he was voted on to the League of Ireland Premier Division Team for 2008, receiving 59% of the votes for the centre back position.
After rejecting a new deal with the club, Burns reunited with former boss Sean Connor at Dundalk
for the 2009 season.
Prior to the start of the 2010 season, Burns had been training with Shamrock Rovers
with the aim of joining them, but after the signing of Dan Murray Burns was not going to be offered a contract, so he re-signed for Dundalk
and was named captain. At the end of the 2010 season Burns was offered another contract by Dundalk, but once again has delayed in signing the contract to 'keep his options open'.
In February 2011, Liam returned to Dalymount Park
for a second spell with Bohemians
just in time for the new season.
Bohemian F.C.
Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11...
in the 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...
Premier Division.
Playing career
Burns was born in BelfastBelfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, but began his career in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
as a trainee with Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
. After 119 league appearances in seven years was released by manager Martin Foyle
Martin Foyle
Martin John Foyle is an English former footballer, turned football manager. In his 20 year playing career he played 533 League games, scoring 155 goals...
in May 2004. This came four years after being transfer listed by Brian Horton
Brian Horton
Brian Horton is an English former footballer and manager, who is working as Phil Brown's assistant at Preston North End.Horton played for Hednesford Town, Port Vale, Brighton & Hove Albion, Luton Town and Hull City as a midfielder...
following the clubs humiliating FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
defeat to Canvey Island
Canvey Island F.C.
Canvey Island F.C, known as the Gulls or Yellow Army, are an English football club founded in 1926 that play in the Isthmian League Premier Division....
.
Burns went on to play in briefs spells for Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
, Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
, Kidderminster Harriers
Kidderminster Harriers F.C.
Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed...
and Forest Green Rovers
Forest Green Rovers F.C.
Forest Green Rovers Football Club is an English football club based in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, currently the longest-serving members of the Conference National. The club is affiliated to the Gloucestershire County FA.-Early years:...
(who he signed for on non-contract terms in January 2005) before returning to Ireland.
He played for Sligo Rovers
Sligo Rovers F.C.
Sligo Rovers Football Club is a professional Irish football club playing in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. The club was founded in 1928 and have been in the League of Ireland since 1934. The club is a co-operative venture, owned by the people of Sligo. Sligo Rovers have played at...
winning the First Division in 2005 and helped them to a fifth place finish in their first season in the Premier Division.
When Sean Connor
Sean Connor
Sean Connor is a former footballer and manager currently without a club.-Playing career:Connor began his career at Distillery in the Irish League where he played for one full season before moving to Port Vale...
left Sligo for Bohemians
Bohemian F.C.
Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11...
at the end of the 2006 season, Burns soon followed him to 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...
and became a regular in the first XI. He netted his first goal for Bohs against his former club Sligo on 21 March 2008 in a 2-1 win. Burns played a big part in Bohs' great defensive record as they have marched to the 2008 title. His form was rewarded when he was voted on to the League of Ireland Premier Division Team for 2008, receiving 59% of the votes for the centre back position.
After rejecting a new deal with the club, Burns reunited with former boss Sean Connor at Dundalk
Dundalk F.C.
Dundalk Football Club is a professional Irish football club based in Dundalk, County Louth. The club currently play in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. Founded in 1903, they are the second most successful team, in terms of trophies won, in the history of the League of Ireland. The...
for the 2009 season.
Prior to the start of the 2010 season, Burns had been training with Shamrock Rovers
Shamrock Rovers F.C.
Shamrock Rovers Football Club are a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the most successful club in Irish football history. The club have won the League of Ireland title a record 17 times and the FAI Cup a record 24...
with the aim of joining them, but after the signing of Dan Murray Burns was not going to be offered a contract, so he re-signed for Dundalk
Dundalk F.C.
Dundalk Football Club is a professional Irish football club based in Dundalk, County Louth. The club currently play in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. Founded in 1903, they are the second most successful team, in terms of trophies won, in the history of the League of Ireland. The...
and was named captain. At the end of the 2010 season Burns was offered another contract by Dundalk, but once again has delayed in signing the contract to 'keep his options open'.
In February 2011, Liam returned to 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...
for a second spell with Bohemians
Bohemian F.C.
Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11...
just in time for the new season.
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- BohemiansBohemian F.C.Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11...
- 2008
- Bohemians
- 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- BohemiansBohemian F.C.Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11...
- 2008
- Bohemians
- League of Ireland First Division: 1
- Sligo Rovers - 2005