Former Ireland international Denis Irwin spent several seasons at Man United and was an integral part of the team that dominated English football in the mid-to-late nineties in particular. EMPICS Sport
Looking Back
Tracing the marginalisation of Irish players in the Premier League
We assess the fortunes of Ireland’s footballers in England’s top flight over the past 25 years.
THERE IS A widely held perception that there has been a significant decrease in the prevalence of Irish players in England’s top flight in the last 25 years. While this assumption is true to a degree, it needs to be placed in a wider context.
The figures below prove illuminating, but firstly a number of factors as to how they were compiled must be taken into consideration.
It should be noted that in order to be eligible for the list below, the Irish player in question needs to have started at least one Premier League game in the relevant season. So Declan Rice, who appeared as a substitute for West Ham against Burnley last season, is omitted from the 2016-17 campaign. Similarly, Stephen Carr’s name does not appear for Tottenham in the 2001-02 season despite being on the books at the club — the reason is that he was injured for the entirety of that campaign.
Moreover, for the 2017-18 campaign, we’ve compiled a list of players that have a realistic chance of starting at least one game at Premier League level this season.
So, a key question is how big is the gap when you compare nowadays to back when the Premier League started 25 years ago? It is certainly evident, but perhaps not as dramatic as some might expect.
Last season, a total of 18 Irish players started at least one Premier League game. In the 1992-93 campaign, 29 Irish players featured, though it must be noted that the league had 22 teams that year, while it was only in the 1995-96 season that England’s top flight initiated the 20-team format, which stands to this day.
This change has been reflected to a degree at international level as well. In Ireland’s Euro 2016 squad, there were 12 Premier League representatives compared with 15 at the 1994 World Cup. That said, when Ireland played Austria back in June, 10 of the 11 players that started were on the books at Premier League clubs, so there tends to be a slight exaggeration or at least a simplification of the matter from critics who suggest Irish teams are ‘full of Championship players’ nowadays.
In addition, rather than showing a steady decline, the number of Irish Premier League players has fluctuated over the past 25 years.
Ireland actually had its highest number of Premier League representatives as recently as the 2011-12 season (33), with Mick McCarthy’s Wolves providing no fewer than six of the individuals in question. That season also happened to feature a record for the number of Irish players starting a game — Stoke v Sunderland on 4 February 2012 featured seven players from these shores: Rory Delap, Glenn Whelan, Jon Walters and Marc Wilson for the hosts, as well as David Meyler, James McClean and John O’Shea for the visitors.
However, since then, there has been a clear decline in the prominence of Irish stars, leading to a joint-all-time low of 18 in total last season, while this number could potentially be lower again in the forthcoming campaign, with experienced players such as Glenn Whelan and Darren Randolph dropping down to the Championship.
The most dramatic change, however, has not been in the number of Irish players playing in the Premier League, but in the amount of those representing top-six clubs.
In the past five seasons, there have been just seven occasions when an Irish player has started at least one game for a club finishing in the top six (Shane Long, Aiden McGeady, James McCarthy, Seamus Coleman x2, Darron Gibson, Leon Best), none of which have been in the last two years. By comparison, that number stands at 38 if you examine the first five seasons of the Premier League.
There are a number of factors for this decline, many of which are obvious. The main reason is of course the increased internationalisation of the Premier League. This transition has resulted in English clubs no longer just seeking out the best players in Britain and Ireland, along with the odd exceptional foreigner from elsewhere who comes on their radar. The greater riches of clubs created by the increased TV money means footballers are now being brought in from all over the world, limiting opportunity for Irish players particularly at the top clubs.
It also helped that back then, Ireland had a couple of world-class players in Roy Keane, Denis Irwin and Paul McGrath, whereas the Boys in Green simply do not have anyone at that calibre currently.
2017-18 season (16)
Harry Arter. Richard Sellers
Richard Sellers
Arsenal: None. Bournemouth: Harry Arter. Brighton: Shane Duffy. Burnley: Jeff Hendrick, Robbie Brady, Jon Walters, Kevin Long, Stephen Ward. Chelsea: None. Crystal Palace: Damien Delaney. Everton:James McCarthy, Seamus Coleman. Huddersfield: Sean Scannell. Leicester: None. Liverpool: None. Man City: None. Man United: None. Newcastle: Ciaran Clark, Rob Elliot. Southampton: Shane Long. Stoke: None. Swansea: None. Tottenham: None. Watford: None. West Brom: James McClean. West Ham: Declan Rice.
2016-17 season (18)
James McClean. PA Archive / PA Images
PA Archive / PA Images / PA Images
Chelsea: none. Tottenham: none. Man City: none. Liverpool: none. Arsenal: none. Man United: none. Everton: James McCarthy, Seamus Coleman. Southampton: Shane Long. Bournemouth: Harry Arter. West Bromwich Albion: Marc Wilson, James McClean. West Ham United: Darren Randolph. Leicester: None. Stoke City: Glenn Whelan, Jon Walters, Shay Given. Crystal Palace: Damien Delaney. Swansea: None. Burnley: Jeff Hendrick, Robbie Brady, Kevin Long, Stephen Ward. Watford: None. Hull: David Meyler. Middlesbrough: None. Sunderland: John O’Shea, Darron Gibson.
2015-16 season (18)
Darren Randolph. Nick Potts
Nick Potts
Leicester: None. Arsenal: None. Tottenham: None. Man City: None. Man United: None. Southampton: Shane Long. West Ham: Darren Randolph. Liverpool: None. Stoke: Jon Walters, Marc Wilson, Stephen Ireland, Glenn Whelan, Shay Given. Chelsea: None. Everton: James McCarthy, Seamus Coleman, Darron Gibson. Swansea: None. Watford: None. West Brom: James McClean. Crystal Palace:Damien Delaney. Bournemouth: Harry Arter. Sunderland: John O’Shea. Newcastle: Rob Elliot. Norwich: Robbie Brady, Wes Hoolahan. Aston Villa: Ciaran Clark.
2014-15 season (22)
Damien Delaney. PA Archive / PA Images
PA Archive / PA Images / PA Images
Chelsea: none. Man City: none. Arsenal: none. Man United: none. Tottenham: none. Liverpool: none. Southampton: Shane Long. Swansea: None. Stoke: Jon Walters, Marc Wilson, Glenn Whelan. Crystal Palace: Damien Delaney. Everton: James McCarthy, Seamus Coleman, Darron Gibson, Aiden McGeady. West Ham: Joey O’Brien. West Brom: None. Leicester: None. Newcastle: Rob Elliot. Sunderland:John O’Shea. Aston Villa: Ciaran Clark, Shay Given. Hull: Robbie Brady, David Meyler, Stephen Quinn, Paul McShane. Burnley: Stephen Ward, Steven Reid. QPR: Richard Dunne, Reece Grego-Cox.
2013-14 season (23)
Rob Elliot. Chris Ison
Chris Ison
Man City: none. Liverpool: none. Chelsea: none. Arsenal: none. Everton: Aiden McGeady, James McCarthy, Seamus Coleman. Tottenham: None. Man United: None. Southampton: None. Stoke: Jon Walters, Marc Wilson, Stephen Ireland, Glenn Whelan. Newcastle: Rob Elliot. Crystal Palace: Damien Delaney, Owen Garvan. Swansea: None. West Ham: Joey O’Brien. Sunderland: John O’Shea, Keiren Westwood. Aston Villa: Ciaran Clark. Hull: Robbie Brady, David Meyler, Stephen Quinn, Paul McShane, Shane Long. West Brom: Steven Reid. Norwich: Wes Hoolahan, Anthony Pilkington. Fulham: Damien Duff. Cardiff: None
2012-13 season (27)
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Anthony Pilkington. EMPICS Sport
EMPICS Sport
Man United: None. Man City: None. Chelsea: None. Arsenal: None. Tottenham: None. Everton: Darron Gibson, Seamus Coleman. Liverpool: None. West Brom: Shane Long, Steven Reid. Swansea: None. West Ham: Joey O’Brien. Norwich: Anthony Pilkington, Wes Hoolahan. Fulham: Damien Duff, Stephen Kelly. Stoke: Rory Delap, Marc Wilson, Glenn Whelan, Jon Walters. Southampton: None. Aston Villa: Shay Given, Ciaran Clark, Enda Stevens, Stephen Ireland. Newcastle: Rob Elliot. Sunderland: James McClean, John O’Shea. Wigan: James McCarthy. Reading: Stephen Kelly, Ian Harte, Jay Tabb, Noel Hunt, Alex Pearce. QPR: Michael Harriman.
2011-12 season (33)
Stephen Ireland. PA Archive / PA Images
PA Archive / PA Images / PA Images
Man City: none. Man United: None. Arsenal: None. Tottenham: None. Newcastle: Leon Best. Chelsea: None. Everton: Darron Gibson, Seamus Coleman, Shane Duffy. Liverpool: None. Fulham: Damien Duff, Stephen Kelly. West Brom: Keith Andrews, Shane Long, Steven Reid, Simon Cox. Swansea: None. Norwich: Wes Hoolahan, Anthony Pilkington. Sunderland: James McClean, David Meyler, John O’Shea. Stoke: Rory Delap, Marc Wilson, Glenn Whelan, Jon Walters. Wigan: James McCarthy, Conor Sammon. Aston Villa: Shay Given, Ciaran Clark, Richard Dunne, Robbie Keane, Stephen Ireland. QPR:Paddy Kenny. Bolton: None. Blackburn: None. Wolves: Stephen Ward, Stephen Hunt, Kevin Doyle, Matt Doherty, Kevin Foley, Anthony Forde.
2010-11 season (30)
Keith Andrews. EMPICS Sport
EMPICS Sport
Man United: John O’Shea, Darron Gibson. Chelsea: None. Man City: None. Arsenal: None. Tottenham: None. Liverpool: None. Everton: Seamus Coleman. Fulham: Damien Duff, Stephen Kelly. Aston Villa: Stephen Ireland, Richard Dunne. Sunderland: Andy Reid, David Meyler. West Brom: Simon Cox, Steven Reid. Newcastle: Leon Best. Stoke: Rory Delap, Marc Wilson, Glenn Whelan, Jon Walters. Bolton: Andy O’Brien. Blackburn: Keith Andrews. Wigan: James McCarthy, Conor Sammon. Wolves: Stephen Ward, Stephen Hunt, Kevin Doyle, Kevin Foley, Andy Keogh. Birmingham: Keith Fahey, Stephen Carr, Colin Doyle. Blackpool: Andy Reid. West Ham: Robbie Keane.
2009-10 season (33)
Keith Fahey. EMPICS Sport
EMPICS Sport
Chelsea: none. Man United: John O’Shea, Darron Gibson. Arsenal: none. Tottenham: Robbie Keane. Man City: Shay Given, Stephen Ireland. Aston Villa: Richard Dunne. Liverpool: None. Everton:Seamus Coleman. Birmingham: Lee Carsley, Stephen Carr, Keith Fahey. Blackburn: Keith Andrews, Steven Reid. Stoke: Rory Delap, Glenn Whelan, Liam Lawrence. Fulham: Stephen Kelly, Damien Duff. Sunderland: Andy Reid, David Meyler, Daryl Murphy. Bolton: Andy O’Brien. Wolves: Andy Keogh, Stephen Ward, Kevin Doyle, Kevin Foley. Wigan: James McCarthy. West Ham: none. Burnley: Chris McCann. Hull: Paul McShane, Stephen Hunt, Kevin Kilbane, Caleb Folan. Portsmouth: Marc Wilson, Steve Finnan.
2008-09 season (25)
Darron Gibson. EMPICS Sport
EMPICS Sport
Man United: John O’Shea, Darron Gibson. Liverpool: Robbie Keane. Chelsea: none. Arsenal: none. Everton: none. Aston Villa: none. Fulham: none. Tottenham: none. West Ham: none. Man City: Shay Given, Richard Dunne, Stephen Ireland. Wigan: none. Stoke: Rory Delap, Glenn Whelan, Liam Lawrence, Stephen Kelly. Bolton: Andy O’Brien, Joey O’Brien. Portsmouth: Marc Wilson. Blackburn: Steven Reid, Keith Andrews, Keith Treacy. Sunderland: Andy Reid, Daryl Murphy, Anthony Stokes, Liam Miller, Paul McShane. Hull: Kevin Kilbane, Caleb Folan. Newcastle: Damien Duff. Middlesbrough: none. West Brom: Dean Kiely.
2007-08 season (26)
Richard Dunne. EMPICS Sport
EMPICS Sport
Man United: John O’Shea. Chelsea: none. Arsenal: none. Liverpool: Steve Finnan. Everton: Lee Carsley. Aston Villa: none. Blackburn: Steven Reid. Portsmouth: none. Man City: Richard Dunne, Stephen Ireland. West Ham: none. Tottenham: Robbie Keane. Newcastle: Shay Given, Stephen Carr, Damien Duff. Middlesbrough: none. Wigan: Kevin Kilbane. Sunderland: Ian Harte, Paul McShane, Anthony Stokes, Liam Miller, Daryl Murphy, Andy Reid, Roy O’Donovan, David Connolly. Bolton: Andy O’Brien, Joey O’Brien. Fulham: None. Reading: Kevin Doyle, Stephen Hunt, Shane Long. Birmingham: Colin Doyle, Stephen Kelly. Derby: none.
2006-07 season (26)
Andy O'Brien. EMPICS Sport
EMPICS Sport
Man United: John O’Shea. Chelsea: none. Liverpool: Steve Finnan. Arsenal: none. Tottenham: Robbie Keane. Everton: Lee Carsley. Bolton: none. Reading: Kevin Doyle, Stephen Hunt, Shane Long. Portsmouth: Andy O’Brien. Blackburn: Steven Reid. Aston Villa: none. Middlesbrough: none. Newcastle: Stephen Carr, Shay Given, Damien Duff, Alan O’Brien. Man City: Stephen Ireland, Richard Dunne. West Ham: none. Fulham: none. Wigan: Caleb Folan, Kevin Kilbane, Graham Kavanagh, David Connolly. Sheffield United: Paddy Kenny, Derek Geary, Alan Quinn, Stephen Quinn. Charlton: Darren Randolph, Matt Holland, Andy Reid. Watford: none.
2005-06 season (30)
Damien Duff. EMPICS Sport
EMPICS Sport
Chelsea: Damien Duff. Man United: Roy Keane, John O’Shea. Liverpool: Steve Finnan. Arsenal: none. Tottenham: Robbie Keane, Andy Reid, Stephen Kelly. Blackburn: Steven Reid. Newcastle: Shay Given, Stephen Carr, Alan O’Brien. Bolton: Joey O’Brien. West Ham: Clive Clarke. Wigan: Graham Kavanagh, David Connolly, Alan Mahon. Everton: Lee Carsley, Kevin Kilbane. Fulham: none. Charlton: Matt Holland. Middlesbrough: none. Man City: Richard Dunne, Willo Flood, Stephen Ireland. Aston Villa: none. Portsmouth: Dean Kiely, Andy O’Brien. Birmingham: Kenny Cunningham. West Brom: None. Sunderland: Gary Breen, Rory Delap, Liam Lawrence, Stephen Elliot, Daryl Murphy.
2004-05 season (23)
Kevin Kilbane PA Archive / PA Images
PA Archive / PA Images / PA Images
Chelsea: Damien Duff. Arsenal: none. Man United: Roy Keane, John O’Shea, Liam Miller. Everton: Kevin Kilbane, Lee Carsley. Liverpool: Steve Finnan. Bolton: none. Middlesbrough: none. Man City:Richard Dunne, Willo Flood, Jon Macken. Tottenham: Robbie Keane, Andy Reid, Stephen Kelly. Aston Villa: None. Charlton: Matt Holland, Dean Kiely. Birmingham: Kenny Cunningham, Clinton Morrison. Fulham: none. Newcastle: Stephen Carr, Shay Given, Andy O’Brien. Blackburn: Steven Reid. Portsmouth: none. West Brom: None. Crystal Palace: None. Norwich: Gary Doherty. Southampton: Rory Delap.
2003-04 season (31)
Gary Doherty. EMPICS Sport
EMPICS Sport
Arsenal: none. Chelsea: Damien Duff. Man United: Roy Keane, John O’Shea. Liverpool: Steve Finnan. Newcastle: Shay Given, Andy O’Brien. Aston Villa: Mark Kinsella. Charlton: Dean Kiely, Matt Holland. Bolton: none. Fulham: none. Birmingham: Jeff Kenna, Kenny Cunningham, Clinton Morrison. Middlesbrough: None. Southampton: Rory Delap. Portsmouth: none. Tottenham: Robbie Keane, Gary Doherty, Stephen Carr, Stephen Kelly. Blackburn: Steven Reid, Jonathan Douglas, Alan Mahon. Man City: Richard Dunne, Jon Macken. Everton: Kevin Kilbane, Lee Carsley. Leicester: none. Leeds: Gary Kelly, Ian Harte, Stephen McPhail. Wolves: Keith Andrews, Mark Kennedy, Paul Butler, Denis Irwin.
2002-03 season (30)
Clinton Morrison. PA Archive / PA Images
PA Archive / PA Images / PA Images
Man United: Roy Keane, John O’Shea. Arsenal: none. Newcastle: Shay Given, Andy O’Brien. Chelsea: none. Liverpool: none. Blackburn: Damien Duff, Alan Kelly. Everton: Lee Carsley. Southampton:Rory Delap. Man City: Richard Dunne. Tottenham: Stephen Carr, Robbie Keane, Gary Doherty. Middlesbrough: none. Charlton: Dean Kiely. Birmingham: Kenny Cunningham, Jeff Kenna, Clinton Morrison. Fulham: Steve Finnan. Leeds: Gary Kelly, Ian Harte, Stephen McPhail. Aston Villa: Steve Staunton, Mark Kinsella. Bolton: Gareth Farrelly. West Ham: Gary Breen. West Brom: Joe Murphy. Sunderland: Phil Babb, Kevin Kilbane, Thomas Butler, Jason McAteer, Sean Thornton.
2001-02 season (27)
Matt Holland. EMPICS Sport
EMPICS Sport
Arsenal: none. Liverpool: none. Man United: Roy Keane, John O’Shea, Denis Irwin. Newcastle: Shay Given, Andy O’Brien. Leeds: Robbie Keane, Gary Kelly, Ian Harte. Chelsea: none. West Ham: none. Aston Villa: Steve Staunton. Tottenham: Gary Doherty. Blackburn: Damien Duff, Alan Mahon, Alan Kelly. Southampton: Rory Delap. Middlesbrough: Curtis Fleming, Jason Gavin. Fulham: Steve Finnan. Charlton: Dean Kiely, Mark Kinsella. Everton: Lee Carsley. Bolton: Gareth Farrelly. Sunderland: Niall Quinn, Jason McAteer, Kevin Kilbane, Thomas Butler. Ipswich: Matt Holland. Derby: none. Leicester: Damien Delaney.
2000-01 season (28)
Roy Keane. EMPICS Sport
EMPICS Sport
Man United: Roy Keane, Denis Irwin. Arsenal: none. Liverpool: none. Leeds: Ian Harte, Gary Kelly, Robbie Keane, Stephen McPhail. Ipswich: Matt Holland, Keith Branagan. Chelsea: none. Sunderland:Paul Butler, Niall Quinn, Kevin Kilbane. Aston Villa: Steve Staunton. Charlton: Mark Kinsella, Dean Kiely. Southampton: none. Newcastle: Shay Given, Andy O’Brien. Tottenham: Stephen Carr. Leicester: Damien Delaney. Middlesbrough: Keith O’Neill, Curtis Fleming, Jason Gavin. West Ham: none. Everton: none. Derby: Rory Delap. Man City: Mark Kennedy, Richard Dunne. Coventry: Barry Quinn, Gary Breen, Lee Carsley. Bradford: Gareth Whalley.
1999-00 season (26)
Kenny Cunningham. EMPICS Sport
EMPICS Sport
Man United: Roy Keane, Denis Irwin. Arsenal: none. Leeds: Ian Harte, Gary Kelly, Stephen McPhail. Liverpool: Steve Staunton. Chelsea: none. Aston Villa: none. Sunderland: Kevin Kilbane, Paul Butler, Niall Quinn. Leicester: none. West Ham: none. Tottenham: Stephen Carr. Newcastle: Shay Given. Middlesbrough: Jason Gavin, Keith O’Neill, Curtis Fleming, Andy Townsend. Everton: Richard Dunne. Coventry: Robbie Keane, Barry Quinn, Gary Breen. Southampton: none. Derby: Rory Delap. Bradford: Gareth Whalley, Andy O’Brien. Wimbledon: Kenny Cunningham. Sheffield Wednesday: Mark McKeever, Alan Quinn. Watford: Dominic Foley.
1998-99 season (29)
Barry Quinn. EMPICS Sport
EMPICS Sport
Man United: Roy Keane, Denis Irwin. Arsenal: none. Chelsea: none. Leeds: Ian Harte, Stephen McPhail. West Ham: none. Aston Villa: none. Liverpool: Jason McAteer, Steve Staunton, Phil Babb. Derby:Rory Delap, Lee Carsley. Middlesbrough: Curtis Fleming, Alan Moore, Andy Townsend, Keith O’Neill, Micky Cummins, Jason Gavin. Leicester: none. Tottenham: Stephen Carr. Sheffield Wednesday: Mark McKeever, Alan Quinn. Newcastle: Shay Given. Everton: Richard Dunne. Coventry: Barry Quinn, Gary Breen. Wimbledon: Kenny Cunningham, Mark Kennedy. Southampton: none. Charlton: Mark Kinsella. Blackburn: Damien Duff, Lee Carsley, Jeff Kenna, Jason McAteer. Nottingham Forest: none.
1997-98 season (25)
Lee Carsley. EMPICS Sport
EMPICS Sport
Arsenal: none. Man United: Roy Keane, Denis Irwin. Liverpool: Phil Babb, Jason McAteer. Chelsea: none. Leeds: Gary Kelly, Ian Harte, Alan Maybury. Blackburn: Jeff Kenna, Damien Duff. Aston Villa:Steve Staunton, Andy Townsend. West Ham: none. Derby: Lee Carsley, Rory Delap. Leicester: None. Coventry: Gary Breen, Willie Boland. Southampton: Mickey Evans. Newcastle: Shay Given. Tottenham:Stephen Carr. Wimbledon: Kenny Cunningham, Mark Kennedy. Sheffield Wednesday: none. Everton: Richard Dunne, Gareth Farrelly, Terry Phelan. Bolton: Keith Branagan. Barnsley: none. Crystal Palace:Rory Ginty.
1996-97 season (28)
Stephen Carr. EMPICS Sport
EMPICS Sport
Man United: Roy Keane, Denis Irwin. Newcastle: none. Arsenal: none. Liverpool: Phil Babb, Jason McAteer. Aston Villa: Steven Staunton, Andy Townsend, Gareth Farrelly. Chelsea: Nick Colgan, Terry Phelan. Sheffield Wednesday: none. Wimbledon: Jon Goodman, Kenny Cunningham. Leicester: none. Tottenham: Stephen Carr. Leeds: Gary Kelly, Ian Harte. Derby: Lee Carsley, Paul McGrath. Blackburn: Shay Given, Jeff Kenna, Damien Duff. West Ham: none. Everton: Richard Dunne. Southampton: Mickey Evans. Coventry: Liam Daish, Gary Breen. Sunderland: Niall Quinn, David Kelly. Middlesbrough: Curtis Fleming, Alan Moore, Chris Morris. Nottingham Forest: none.
1995-96 season (28)
Jason McAteer PA Archive / PA Images
PA Archive / PA Images / PA Images
Man United: Roy Keane, Denis Irwin. Newcastle: none. Liverpool: Phil Babb, Jason McAteer, Mark Kennedy. Aston Villa: Paul McGrath, Steve Staunton, Andy Townsend, Gareth Farrelly. Arsenal: none. Everton: none. Blackburn: Jeff Kenna. Tottenham: none. Nottingham Forest: none. West Ham: none. Chelsea: Terry Phelan. Middlesbrough: Graham Kavanagh, Curtis Fleming, Chris Morris, Keith O’Halloran. Leeds: Gary Kelly, Ian Harte, Alan Maybury. Wimbledon: Scott Fitzgerald, Kenny Cunningham, Jon Goodman. Sheffield Wednesday: John Sheridan. Coventry: Liam Daish, Willie Boland. Southampton: none. Man City: Niall Quinn, Terry Phelan, Alan Kernaghan. QPR: none. Bolton: Owen Coyle.
1994-95 season (22)
Terry Phelan. EMPICS Sport
EMPICS Sport
Blackburn: none. Man United: Roy Keane, Denis Irwin. Nottingham Forest: none. Liverpool: Phil Babb, Mark Kennedy. Leeds: Gary Kelly. Newcastle: none. Tottenham: none. QPR: none. Wimbledon:Scott Fitzgerald, Kenny Cunningham. Southampton: Jeff Kenna. Chelsea: none. Arsenal: Eddie McGoldrick. Sheffield Wednesday: John Sheridan. West Ham: none. Everton: none. Coventry: Willie Boland. Man City: Terry Phelan, Niall Quinn, Alan Kernaghan. Aston Villa: Steve Staunton, Paul McGrath, Andy Townsend. Crystal Palace: Ray Houghton, Brian Launders. Norwich: Keith O’Neill, Mike Milligan. Leicester: Brian Carey. Ipswich: none.
1993-94 season (25)
Ronnie Whelan. EMPICS Sport
EMPICS Sport
Man United: Roy Keane, Denis Irwin. Blackburn: Kevin Moran. Newcastle: Liam O’Brien. Arsenal: Eddie McGoldrick. Leeds: David O’Leary, Gary Kelly. Wimbledon: Scott Fitzgerald. Sheffield Wednesday:John Sheridan. Liverpool: Ronnie Whelan. QPR: none. Aston Villa: Steve Staunton, Ray Houghton, Paul McGrath, Andy Townsend. Coventry: Willie Boland, Phil Babb, Tony Sheridan. Norwich: none. West Ham: none. Chelsea: Tony Cascarino. Tottenham: Stephen Carr, Andy Turner. Man City: Niall Quinn, Terry Phelan, Alan Kernaghan. Everton: none. Southampton: none. Ipswich: none. Sheffield United: Alan Kelly. Oldham: Mike Milligan. Swindon: none.
1992-93 season (29)
Paul McGrath. EMPICS Sport
EMPICS Sport
Man United: Denis Irwin. Aston Villa: Ray Houghton, Steve Staunton, Paul McGrath. Norwich: Lee Power. Blackburn: Kevin Moran. QPR: None. Liverpool: Ronnie Whelan. Sheffield Wednesday: John Sheridan. Tottenham: Andy Turner, David McDonald. Man City: Terry Phelan, Niall Quinn. Arsenal: David O’Leary. Chelsea: Gerry Peyton, Andy Townsend, Tony Cascarino. Wimbledon: Scott Fitzgerald, Paul McGee. Everton: None. Sheffield United: Alan Kelly. Coventry: Tony Sheridan. Ipswich: None. Leeds: None. Southampton: Jeff Kenna. Oldham: Mike Milligan. Crystal Palace: Eddie McGoldrick. Middlesbrough: Curtis Fleming, Graham Kavanagh, Alan Kernaghan, Bernie Slaven, Chris Morris. Nottingham Forest: Roy Keane.
Tracing the marginalisation of Irish players in the Premier League
THERE IS A widely held perception that there has been a significant decrease in the prevalence of Irish players in England’s top flight in the last 25 years. While this assumption is true to a degree, it needs to be placed in a wider context.
The figures below prove illuminating, but firstly a number of factors as to how they were compiled must be taken into consideration.
It should be noted that in order to be eligible for the list below, the Irish player in question needs to have started at least one Premier League game in the relevant season. So Declan Rice, who appeared as a substitute for West Ham against Burnley last season, is omitted from the 2016-17 campaign. Similarly, Stephen Carr’s name does not appear for Tottenham in the 2001-02 season despite being on the books at the club — the reason is that he was injured for the entirety of that campaign.
Moreover, for the 2017-18 campaign, we’ve compiled a list of players that have a realistic chance of starting at least one game at Premier League level this season.
So, a key question is how big is the gap when you compare nowadays to back when the Premier League started 25 years ago? It is certainly evident, but perhaps not as dramatic as some might expect.
Last season, a total of 18 Irish players started at least one Premier League game. In the 1992-93 campaign, 29 Irish players featured, though it must be noted that the league had 22 teams that year, while it was only in the 1995-96 season that England’s top flight initiated the 20-team format, which stands to this day.
This change has been reflected to a degree at international level as well. In Ireland’s Euro 2016 squad, there were 12 Premier League representatives compared with 15 at the 1994 World Cup. That said, when Ireland played Austria back in June, 10 of the 11 players that started were on the books at Premier League clubs, so there tends to be a slight exaggeration or at least a simplification of the matter from critics who suggest Irish teams are ‘full of Championship players’ nowadays.
In addition, rather than showing a steady decline, the number of Irish Premier League players has fluctuated over the past 25 years.
Ireland actually had its highest number of Premier League representatives as recently as the 2011-12 season (33), with Mick McCarthy’s Wolves providing no fewer than six of the individuals in question. That season also happened to feature a record for the number of Irish players starting a game — Stoke v Sunderland on 4 February 2012 featured seven players from these shores: Rory Delap, Glenn Whelan, Jon Walters and Marc Wilson for the hosts, as well as David Meyler, James McClean and John O’Shea for the visitors.
However, since then, there has been a clear decline in the prominence of Irish stars, leading to a joint-all-time low of 18 in total last season, while this number could potentially be lower again in the forthcoming campaign, with experienced players such as Glenn Whelan and Darren Randolph dropping down to the Championship.
The most dramatic change, however, has not been in the number of Irish players playing in the Premier League, but in the amount of those representing top-six clubs.
In the past five seasons, there have been just seven occasions when an Irish player has started at least one game for a club finishing in the top six (Shane Long, Aiden McGeady, James McCarthy, Seamus Coleman x2, Darron Gibson, Leon Best), none of which have been in the last two years. By comparison, that number stands at 38 if you examine the first five seasons of the Premier League.
There are a number of factors for this decline, many of which are obvious. The main reason is of course the increased internationalisation of the Premier League. This transition has resulted in English clubs no longer just seeking out the best players in Britain and Ireland, along with the odd exceptional foreigner from elsewhere who comes on their radar. The greater riches of clubs created by the increased TV money means footballers are now being brought in from all over the world, limiting opportunity for Irish players particularly at the top clubs.
It also helped that back then, Ireland had a couple of world-class players in Roy Keane, Denis Irwin and Paul McGrath, whereas the Boys in Green simply do not have anyone at that calibre currently.
2017-18 season (16)
Arsenal: None. Bournemouth: Harry Arter. Brighton: Shane Duffy. Burnley: Jeff Hendrick, Robbie Brady, Jon Walters, Kevin Long, Stephen Ward. Chelsea: None. Crystal Palace: Damien Delaney. Everton:James McCarthy, Seamus Coleman. Huddersfield: Sean Scannell. Leicester: None. Liverpool: None. Man City: None. Man United: None. Newcastle: Ciaran Clark, Rob Elliot. Southampton: Shane Long. Stoke: None. Swansea: None. Tottenham: None. Watford: None. West Brom: James McClean. West Ham: Declan Rice.
2016-17 season (18)
Chelsea: none. Tottenham: none. Man City: none. Liverpool: none. Arsenal: none. Man United: none. Everton: James McCarthy, Seamus Coleman. Southampton: Shane Long. Bournemouth: Harry Arter. West Bromwich Albion: Marc Wilson, James McClean. West Ham United: Darren Randolph. Leicester: None. Stoke City: Glenn Whelan, Jon Walters, Shay Given. Crystal Palace: Damien Delaney. Swansea: None. Burnley: Jeff Hendrick, Robbie Brady, Kevin Long, Stephen Ward. Watford: None. Hull: David Meyler. Middlesbrough: None. Sunderland: John O’Shea, Darron Gibson.
2015-16 season (18)
Leicester: None. Arsenal: None. Tottenham: None. Man City: None. Man United: None. Southampton: Shane Long. West Ham: Darren Randolph. Liverpool: None. Stoke: Jon Walters, Marc Wilson, Stephen Ireland, Glenn Whelan, Shay Given. Chelsea: None. Everton: James McCarthy, Seamus Coleman, Darron Gibson. Swansea: None. Watford: None. West Brom: James McClean. Crystal Palace:Damien Delaney. Bournemouth: Harry Arter. Sunderland: John O’Shea. Newcastle: Rob Elliot. Norwich: Robbie Brady, Wes Hoolahan. Aston Villa: Ciaran Clark.
2014-15 season (22)
Chelsea: none. Man City: none. Arsenal: none. Man United: none. Tottenham: none. Liverpool: none. Southampton: Shane Long. Swansea: None. Stoke: Jon Walters, Marc Wilson, Glenn Whelan. Crystal Palace: Damien Delaney. Everton: James McCarthy, Seamus Coleman, Darron Gibson, Aiden McGeady. West Ham: Joey O’Brien. West Brom: None. Leicester: None. Newcastle: Rob Elliot. Sunderland:John O’Shea. Aston Villa: Ciaran Clark, Shay Given. Hull: Robbie Brady, David Meyler, Stephen Quinn, Paul McShane. Burnley: Stephen Ward, Steven Reid. QPR: Richard Dunne, Reece Grego-Cox.
2013-14 season (23)
Man City: none. Liverpool: none. Chelsea: none. Arsenal: none. Everton: Aiden McGeady, James McCarthy, Seamus Coleman. Tottenham: None. Man United: None. Southampton: None. Stoke: Jon Walters, Marc Wilson, Stephen Ireland, Glenn Whelan. Newcastle: Rob Elliot. Crystal Palace: Damien Delaney, Owen Garvan. Swansea: None. West Ham: Joey O’Brien. Sunderland: John O’Shea, Keiren Westwood. Aston Villa: Ciaran Clark. Hull: Robbie Brady, David Meyler, Stephen Quinn, Paul McShane, Shane Long. West Brom: Steven Reid. Norwich: Wes Hoolahan, Anthony Pilkington. Fulham: Damien Duff. Cardiff: None
2012-13 season (27)
Man United: None. Man City: None. Chelsea: None. Arsenal: None. Tottenham: None. Everton: Darron Gibson, Seamus Coleman. Liverpool: None. West Brom: Shane Long, Steven Reid. Swansea: None. West Ham: Joey O’Brien. Norwich: Anthony Pilkington, Wes Hoolahan. Fulham: Damien Duff, Stephen Kelly. Stoke: Rory Delap, Marc Wilson, Glenn Whelan, Jon Walters. Southampton: None. Aston Villa: Shay Given, Ciaran Clark, Enda Stevens, Stephen Ireland. Newcastle: Rob Elliot. Sunderland: James McClean, John O’Shea. Wigan: James McCarthy. Reading: Stephen Kelly, Ian Harte, Jay Tabb, Noel Hunt, Alex Pearce. QPR: Michael Harriman.
2011-12 season (33)
Man City: none. Man United: None. Arsenal: None. Tottenham: None. Newcastle: Leon Best. Chelsea: None. Everton: Darron Gibson, Seamus Coleman, Shane Duffy. Liverpool: None. Fulham: Damien Duff, Stephen Kelly. West Brom: Keith Andrews, Shane Long, Steven Reid, Simon Cox. Swansea: None. Norwich: Wes Hoolahan, Anthony Pilkington. Sunderland: James McClean, David Meyler, John O’Shea. Stoke: Rory Delap, Marc Wilson, Glenn Whelan, Jon Walters. Wigan: James McCarthy, Conor Sammon. Aston Villa: Shay Given, Ciaran Clark, Richard Dunne, Robbie Keane, Stephen Ireland. QPR:Paddy Kenny. Bolton: None. Blackburn: None. Wolves: Stephen Ward, Stephen Hunt, Kevin Doyle, Matt Doherty, Kevin Foley, Anthony Forde.
2010-11 season (30)
Man United: John O’Shea, Darron Gibson. Chelsea: None. Man City: None. Arsenal: None. Tottenham: None. Liverpool: None. Everton: Seamus Coleman. Fulham: Damien Duff, Stephen Kelly. Aston Villa: Stephen Ireland, Richard Dunne. Sunderland: Andy Reid, David Meyler. West Brom: Simon Cox, Steven Reid. Newcastle: Leon Best. Stoke: Rory Delap, Marc Wilson, Glenn Whelan, Jon Walters. Bolton: Andy O’Brien. Blackburn: Keith Andrews. Wigan: James McCarthy, Conor Sammon. Wolves: Stephen Ward, Stephen Hunt, Kevin Doyle, Kevin Foley, Andy Keogh. Birmingham: Keith Fahey, Stephen Carr, Colin Doyle. Blackpool: Andy Reid. West Ham: Robbie Keane.
2009-10 season (33)
Chelsea: none. Man United: John O’Shea, Darron Gibson. Arsenal: none. Tottenham: Robbie Keane. Man City: Shay Given, Stephen Ireland. Aston Villa: Richard Dunne. Liverpool: None. Everton:Seamus Coleman. Birmingham: Lee Carsley, Stephen Carr, Keith Fahey. Blackburn: Keith Andrews, Steven Reid. Stoke: Rory Delap, Glenn Whelan, Liam Lawrence. Fulham: Stephen Kelly, Damien Duff. Sunderland: Andy Reid, David Meyler, Daryl Murphy. Bolton: Andy O’Brien. Wolves: Andy Keogh, Stephen Ward, Kevin Doyle, Kevin Foley. Wigan: James McCarthy. West Ham: none. Burnley: Chris McCann. Hull: Paul McShane, Stephen Hunt, Kevin Kilbane, Caleb Folan. Portsmouth: Marc Wilson, Steve Finnan.
2008-09 season (25)
Man United: John O’Shea, Darron Gibson. Liverpool: Robbie Keane. Chelsea: none. Arsenal: none. Everton: none. Aston Villa: none. Fulham: none. Tottenham: none. West Ham: none. Man City: Shay Given, Richard Dunne, Stephen Ireland. Wigan: none. Stoke: Rory Delap, Glenn Whelan, Liam Lawrence, Stephen Kelly. Bolton: Andy O’Brien, Joey O’Brien. Portsmouth: Marc Wilson. Blackburn: Steven Reid, Keith Andrews, Keith Treacy. Sunderland: Andy Reid, Daryl Murphy, Anthony Stokes, Liam Miller, Paul McShane. Hull: Kevin Kilbane, Caleb Folan. Newcastle: Damien Duff. Middlesbrough: none. West Brom: Dean Kiely.
2007-08 season (26)
Man United: John O’Shea. Chelsea: none. Arsenal: none. Liverpool: Steve Finnan. Everton: Lee Carsley. Aston Villa: none. Blackburn: Steven Reid. Portsmouth: none. Man City: Richard Dunne, Stephen Ireland. West Ham: none. Tottenham: Robbie Keane. Newcastle: Shay Given, Stephen Carr, Damien Duff. Middlesbrough: none. Wigan: Kevin Kilbane. Sunderland: Ian Harte, Paul McShane, Anthony Stokes, Liam Miller, Daryl Murphy, Andy Reid, Roy O’Donovan, David Connolly. Bolton: Andy O’Brien, Joey O’Brien. Fulham: None. Reading: Kevin Doyle, Stephen Hunt, Shane Long. Birmingham: Colin Doyle, Stephen Kelly. Derby: none.
2006-07 season (26)
Man United: John O’Shea. Chelsea: none. Liverpool: Steve Finnan. Arsenal: none. Tottenham: Robbie Keane. Everton: Lee Carsley. Bolton: none. Reading: Kevin Doyle, Stephen Hunt, Shane Long. Portsmouth: Andy O’Brien. Blackburn: Steven Reid. Aston Villa: none. Middlesbrough: none. Newcastle: Stephen Carr, Shay Given, Damien Duff, Alan O’Brien. Man City: Stephen Ireland, Richard Dunne. West Ham: none. Fulham: none. Wigan: Caleb Folan, Kevin Kilbane, Graham Kavanagh, David Connolly. Sheffield United: Paddy Kenny, Derek Geary, Alan Quinn, Stephen Quinn. Charlton: Darren Randolph, Matt Holland, Andy Reid. Watford: none.
2005-06 season (30)
Chelsea: Damien Duff. Man United: Roy Keane, John O’Shea. Liverpool: Steve Finnan. Arsenal: none. Tottenham: Robbie Keane, Andy Reid, Stephen Kelly. Blackburn: Steven Reid. Newcastle: Shay Given, Stephen Carr, Alan O’Brien. Bolton: Joey O’Brien. West Ham: Clive Clarke. Wigan: Graham Kavanagh, David Connolly, Alan Mahon. Everton: Lee Carsley, Kevin Kilbane. Fulham: none. Charlton: Matt Holland. Middlesbrough: none. Man City: Richard Dunne, Willo Flood, Stephen Ireland. Aston Villa: none. Portsmouth: Dean Kiely, Andy O’Brien. Birmingham: Kenny Cunningham. West Brom: None. Sunderland: Gary Breen, Rory Delap, Liam Lawrence, Stephen Elliot, Daryl Murphy.
2004-05 season (23)
Chelsea: Damien Duff. Arsenal: none. Man United: Roy Keane, John O’Shea, Liam Miller. Everton: Kevin Kilbane, Lee Carsley. Liverpool: Steve Finnan. Bolton: none. Middlesbrough: none. Man City:Richard Dunne, Willo Flood, Jon Macken. Tottenham: Robbie Keane, Andy Reid, Stephen Kelly. Aston Villa: None. Charlton: Matt Holland, Dean Kiely. Birmingham: Kenny Cunningham, Clinton Morrison. Fulham: none. Newcastle: Stephen Carr, Shay Given, Andy O’Brien. Blackburn: Steven Reid. Portsmouth: none. West Brom: None. Crystal Palace: None. Norwich: Gary Doherty. Southampton: Rory Delap.
2003-04 season (31)
Arsenal: none. Chelsea: Damien Duff. Man United: Roy Keane, John O’Shea. Liverpool: Steve Finnan. Newcastle: Shay Given, Andy O’Brien. Aston Villa: Mark Kinsella. Charlton: Dean Kiely, Matt Holland. Bolton: none. Fulham: none. Birmingham: Jeff Kenna, Kenny Cunningham, Clinton Morrison. Middlesbrough: None. Southampton: Rory Delap. Portsmouth: none. Tottenham: Robbie Keane, Gary Doherty, Stephen Carr, Stephen Kelly. Blackburn: Steven Reid, Jonathan Douglas, Alan Mahon. Man City: Richard Dunne, Jon Macken. Everton: Kevin Kilbane, Lee Carsley. Leicester: none. Leeds: Gary Kelly, Ian Harte, Stephen McPhail. Wolves: Keith Andrews, Mark Kennedy, Paul Butler, Denis Irwin.
2002-03 season (30)
Man United: Roy Keane, John O’Shea. Arsenal: none. Newcastle: Shay Given, Andy O’Brien. Chelsea: none. Liverpool: none. Blackburn: Damien Duff, Alan Kelly. Everton: Lee Carsley. Southampton:Rory Delap. Man City: Richard Dunne. Tottenham: Stephen Carr, Robbie Keane, Gary Doherty. Middlesbrough: none. Charlton: Dean Kiely. Birmingham: Kenny Cunningham, Jeff Kenna, Clinton Morrison. Fulham: Steve Finnan. Leeds: Gary Kelly, Ian Harte, Stephen McPhail. Aston Villa: Steve Staunton, Mark Kinsella. Bolton: Gareth Farrelly. West Ham: Gary Breen. West Brom: Joe Murphy. Sunderland: Phil Babb, Kevin Kilbane, Thomas Butler, Jason McAteer, Sean Thornton.
2001-02 season (27)
Arsenal: none. Liverpool: none. Man United: Roy Keane, John O’Shea, Denis Irwin. Newcastle: Shay Given, Andy O’Brien. Leeds: Robbie Keane, Gary Kelly, Ian Harte. Chelsea: none. West Ham: none. Aston Villa: Steve Staunton. Tottenham: Gary Doherty. Blackburn: Damien Duff, Alan Mahon, Alan Kelly. Southampton: Rory Delap. Middlesbrough: Curtis Fleming, Jason Gavin. Fulham: Steve Finnan. Charlton: Dean Kiely, Mark Kinsella. Everton: Lee Carsley. Bolton: Gareth Farrelly. Sunderland: Niall Quinn, Jason McAteer, Kevin Kilbane, Thomas Butler. Ipswich: Matt Holland. Derby: none. Leicester: Damien Delaney.
2000-01 season (28)
Man United: Roy Keane, Denis Irwin. Arsenal: none. Liverpool: none. Leeds: Ian Harte, Gary Kelly, Robbie Keane, Stephen McPhail. Ipswich: Matt Holland, Keith Branagan. Chelsea: none. Sunderland:Paul Butler, Niall Quinn, Kevin Kilbane. Aston Villa: Steve Staunton. Charlton: Mark Kinsella, Dean Kiely. Southampton: none. Newcastle: Shay Given, Andy O’Brien. Tottenham: Stephen Carr. Leicester: Damien Delaney. Middlesbrough: Keith O’Neill, Curtis Fleming, Jason Gavin. West Ham: none. Everton: none. Derby: Rory Delap. Man City: Mark Kennedy, Richard Dunne. Coventry: Barry Quinn, Gary Breen, Lee Carsley. Bradford: Gareth Whalley.
1999-00 season (26)
Man United: Roy Keane, Denis Irwin. Arsenal: none. Leeds: Ian Harte, Gary Kelly, Stephen McPhail. Liverpool: Steve Staunton. Chelsea: none. Aston Villa: none. Sunderland: Kevin Kilbane, Paul Butler, Niall Quinn. Leicester: none. West Ham: none. Tottenham: Stephen Carr. Newcastle: Shay Given. Middlesbrough: Jason Gavin, Keith O’Neill, Curtis Fleming, Andy Townsend. Everton: Richard Dunne. Coventry: Robbie Keane, Barry Quinn, Gary Breen. Southampton: none. Derby: Rory Delap. Bradford: Gareth Whalley, Andy O’Brien. Wimbledon: Kenny Cunningham. Sheffield Wednesday: Mark McKeever, Alan Quinn. Watford: Dominic Foley.
1998-99 season (29)
Man United: Roy Keane, Denis Irwin. Arsenal: none. Chelsea: none. Leeds: Ian Harte, Stephen McPhail. West Ham: none. Aston Villa: none. Liverpool: Jason McAteer, Steve Staunton, Phil Babb. Derby:Rory Delap, Lee Carsley. Middlesbrough: Curtis Fleming, Alan Moore, Andy Townsend, Keith O’Neill, Micky Cummins, Jason Gavin. Leicester: none. Tottenham: Stephen Carr. Sheffield Wednesday: Mark McKeever, Alan Quinn. Newcastle: Shay Given. Everton: Richard Dunne. Coventry: Barry Quinn, Gary Breen. Wimbledon: Kenny Cunningham, Mark Kennedy. Southampton: none. Charlton: Mark Kinsella. Blackburn: Damien Duff, Lee Carsley, Jeff Kenna, Jason McAteer. Nottingham Forest: none.
1997-98 season (25)
Arsenal: none. Man United: Roy Keane, Denis Irwin. Liverpool: Phil Babb, Jason McAteer. Chelsea: none. Leeds: Gary Kelly, Ian Harte, Alan Maybury. Blackburn: Jeff Kenna, Damien Duff. Aston Villa:Steve Staunton, Andy Townsend. West Ham: none. Derby: Lee Carsley, Rory Delap. Leicester: None. Coventry: Gary Breen, Willie Boland. Southampton: Mickey Evans. Newcastle: Shay Given. Tottenham:Stephen Carr. Wimbledon: Kenny Cunningham, Mark Kennedy. Sheffield Wednesday: none. Everton: Richard Dunne, Gareth Farrelly, Terry Phelan. Bolton: Keith Branagan. Barnsley: none. Crystal Palace:Rory Ginty.
1996-97 season (28)
Man United: Roy Keane, Denis Irwin. Newcastle: none. Arsenal: none. Liverpool: Phil Babb, Jason McAteer. Aston Villa: Steven Staunton, Andy Townsend, Gareth Farrelly. Chelsea: Nick Colgan, Terry Phelan. Sheffield Wednesday: none. Wimbledon: Jon Goodman, Kenny Cunningham. Leicester: none. Tottenham: Stephen Carr. Leeds: Gary Kelly, Ian Harte. Derby: Lee Carsley, Paul McGrath. Blackburn: Shay Given, Jeff Kenna, Damien Duff. West Ham: none. Everton: Richard Dunne. Southampton: Mickey Evans. Coventry: Liam Daish, Gary Breen. Sunderland: Niall Quinn, David Kelly. Middlesbrough: Curtis Fleming, Alan Moore, Chris Morris. Nottingham Forest: none.
1995-96 season (28)
Man United: Roy Keane, Denis Irwin. Newcastle: none. Liverpool: Phil Babb, Jason McAteer, Mark Kennedy. Aston Villa: Paul McGrath, Steve Staunton, Andy Townsend, Gareth Farrelly. Arsenal: none. Everton: none. Blackburn: Jeff Kenna. Tottenham: none. Nottingham Forest: none. West Ham: none. Chelsea: Terry Phelan. Middlesbrough: Graham Kavanagh, Curtis Fleming, Chris Morris, Keith O’Halloran. Leeds: Gary Kelly, Ian Harte, Alan Maybury. Wimbledon: Scott Fitzgerald, Kenny Cunningham, Jon Goodman. Sheffield Wednesday: John Sheridan. Coventry: Liam Daish, Willie Boland. Southampton: none. Man City: Niall Quinn, Terry Phelan, Alan Kernaghan. QPR: none. Bolton: Owen Coyle.
1994-95 season (22)
Blackburn: none. Man United: Roy Keane, Denis Irwin. Nottingham Forest: none. Liverpool: Phil Babb, Mark Kennedy. Leeds: Gary Kelly. Newcastle: none. Tottenham: none. QPR: none. Wimbledon:Scott Fitzgerald, Kenny Cunningham. Southampton: Jeff Kenna. Chelsea: none. Arsenal: Eddie McGoldrick. Sheffield Wednesday: John Sheridan. West Ham: none. Everton: none. Coventry: Willie Boland. Man City: Terry Phelan, Niall Quinn, Alan Kernaghan. Aston Villa: Steve Staunton, Paul McGrath, Andy Townsend. Crystal Palace: Ray Houghton, Brian Launders. Norwich: Keith O’Neill, Mike Milligan. Leicester: Brian Carey. Ipswich: none.
1993-94 season (25)
Man United: Roy Keane, Denis Irwin. Blackburn: Kevin Moran. Newcastle: Liam O’Brien. Arsenal: Eddie McGoldrick. Leeds: David O’Leary, Gary Kelly. Wimbledon: Scott Fitzgerald. Sheffield Wednesday:John Sheridan. Liverpool: Ronnie Whelan. QPR: none. Aston Villa: Steve Staunton, Ray Houghton, Paul McGrath, Andy Townsend. Coventry: Willie Boland, Phil Babb, Tony Sheridan. Norwich: none. West Ham: none. Chelsea: Tony Cascarino. Tottenham: Stephen Carr, Andy Turner. Man City: Niall Quinn, Terry Phelan, Alan Kernaghan. Everton: none. Southampton: none. Ipswich: none. Sheffield United: Alan Kelly. Oldham: Mike Milligan. Swindon: none.
1992-93 season (29)
Man United: Denis Irwin. Aston Villa: Ray Houghton, Steve Staunton, Paul McGrath. Norwich: Lee Power. Blackburn: Kevin Moran. QPR: None. Liverpool: Ronnie Whelan. Sheffield Wednesday: John Sheridan. Tottenham: Andy Turner, David McDonald. Man City: Terry Phelan, Niall Quinn. Arsenal: David O’Leary. Chelsea: Gerry Peyton, Andy Townsend, Tony Cascarino. Wimbledon: Scott Fitzgerald, Paul McGee. Everton: None. Sheffield United: Alan Kelly. Coventry: Tony Sheridan. Ipswich: None. Leeds: None. Southampton: Jeff Kenna. Oldham: Mike Milligan. Crystal Palace: Eddie McGoldrick. Middlesbrough: Curtis Fleming, Graham Kavanagh, Alan Kernaghan, Bernie Slaven, Chris Morris. Nottingham Forest: Roy Keane.
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