Michael Byrne (footballer born 1880)
Encyclopedia
Michael Patrick Byrne (born 1880) was an Irish footballer who played as a goalkeeper for various clubs in the 1910s.
and, after serving in the Irish Guards
, joined Bristol Rovers
of the Southern League
in 1902. The following season, he moved to join the Southern League champions, Southampton
as cover for George Clawley
. He made his debut in a 2–0 victory over Swindon Town
on 23 January 1904, and followed this with a clean sheet in the next match before Clawley's return. He made three further appearances (all victories, with two further clean sheets) before a move to Chelsea
in August 1905, for their inaugural season in the Football League
.
At Chelsea, he was at first the understudy to William "Fatty" Foulke
, making three league appearances in the 1905–06 season. Following Foulke's departure at the end of the season, Bob Whiting was promoted to the first-choice 'keeper, helping Chelsea gain promotion to the First Division
at the end of the season, in which Byrne made a single appearance.
Byrne then moved on to join Glossop, where he made eleven Second Division
appearances before retiring in 1908.
to settle and took up employment with the Imperial Tobacco Company.
Football career
Byrne was born in BristolBristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
and, after serving in the Irish Guards
Irish Guards
The Irish Guards , part of the Guards Division, is a Foot Guards regiment of the British Army.Along with the Royal Irish Regiment, it is one of the two Irish regiments remaining in the British Army. The Irish Guards recruit in Northern Ireland and the Irish neighbourhoods of major British cities...
, joined 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....
of the Southern League
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
in 1902. The following season, he moved to join the Southern League champions, Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
as cover for George Clawley
George Clawley
George Clawley was an English professional goalkeeper who played for Stoke, Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries...
. He made his debut in a 2–0 victory over Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
on 23 January 1904, and followed this with a clean sheet in the next match before Clawley's return. He made three further appearances (all victories, with two further clean sheets) before a move to Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
in August 1905, for their inaugural season in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
.
At Chelsea, he was at first the understudy to William "Fatty" Foulke
William Foulke (footballer)
William Henry "Fatty" Foulke was a professional cricketer and football player in England in the late 19th and early 20th centuries...
, making three league appearances in the 1905–06 season. Following Foulke's departure at the end of the season, Bob Whiting was promoted to the first-choice 'keeper, helping Chelsea gain promotion to the First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
at the end of the season, in which Byrne made a single appearance.
Byrne then moved on to join Glossop, where he made eleven Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
appearances before retiring in 1908.
Later career
He later returned to BristolBristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
to settle and took up employment with the Imperial Tobacco Company.