Kevin Sheedy (Irish footballer)

Infobox Football biography
playername = Kevin Sheedy


fullname = Kevin Mark Sheedy
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1959|10|21|df=y
cityofbirth = Builth Wells
countryofbirth = Wales
dateofdeath =
cityofdeath =
countryofdeath =
height =
nickname =
position = Midfielder (retired)
currentclub =
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1975-1978 1978-1982 1982-1992 1992-1993 1993-1994
clubs = Hereford United Liverpool Everton Newcastle United Blackpool
Career
caps(goals) = 051 0(4) 003 0(0) 274 (67) 037 0(4) 026 0(1)
391 (76)
nationalyears =
1984-1993
nationalteam = Rep. Ireland Under-21 Republic of Ireland
nationalcaps(goals) = 005 0(?) 046 0(9)

Kevin Mark Sheedy (born 21 October 1959 in Builth Wells, Wales) is a retired Welsh born footballer of Irish descent who is best remembered for being the first choice left winger in Everton's hugely successful 1980s side. He was also a member of the Republic of Ireland national football team of this era, and is now an academy coach for Everton.

Renowned for his left foot, he was also a dead-ball specialist, whether scoring from free-kicks or from the penalty spot.

Sheedy started his career with Hereford United, followed by a short spell with Liverpool, but played just three competitive games in four years and was sold to Everton for £100,000 in 1982. At Everton he made 357 appearances (12 as substitute) and scored 97 goals. Sheedy's most notable achievements were as part of the 1984 Everton team that won the FA Cup, (although he missed the final through injury). In 1985 and 1987 he won the Football League Championship, and in 1985 the European Cup Winners' Cup.

Sheedy left Goodison Park in 1992 on a free transfer to join Newcastle United, and helped them win the Division One title (and promotion to the Premier League) in the 1992-93. He ended his career with Blackpool in the 1993-94 Division Two campaign, in which Blackpool avoided relegation.

Since retiring from playing, Sheedy has been assistant manager at Tranmere Rovers and Hartlepool United. He joined Everton's coaching staff in July 2006.

Despite his birthplace, Sheedy won 46 caps for the Republic of Ireland scoring nine goals, including one in a game in the 1990 World Cup against England.

He is also noted as the first-ever Republic of Ireland player to score a goal in the World Cup finals, he also scored a penalty in a shoot out win over Romania in the last 16.

Sheedy was also part of the Euro 88 squad and played all 3 matches.

References

* [http://www.toffeeweb.com/history/legends/Sheedy.asp Profile at ToffeeWeb]
* [http://www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/player/kevinsheedy.htm Profile at Neil Brown's statistics site]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/mid/halloffame/sport/kevin_sheedy.shtml BBC Profile]