Gambino crime family and Harry Baird (footballer): Difference between pages

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{{Football player infobox
{{Infobox Criminal organization
| playername= Harry Baird
| name =Gambino crime family
| image =Carlogambino1.jpg
| image =
| fullname = Henry C. Baird
| caption =Named after [[Carlo Gambino]]
| dateofbirth = [[August 17]], [[1913]]
| founded on =1931
| cityofbirth = [[Belfast]]
| founding location ={{flagicon|US}} [[New York City]] and areas including [[Staten Island]], [[Long Island]], [[Augusta, GA]], [[New Jersey]] and [[Sunny Isles Beach, Florida]]
| countryofbirth = [[Ireland]]
| founded by =[[Vincent Mangano|Vincenzo Mangano]]
| dateofdeath = {{death date and age|1973|5|27|1913|8|17}}
| years active =1931-present
| position= Centre - forward / Midfielder
| territory =Various neighborhoods over [[NYC]] and throughout the USA.
| youthyears = 19xx-1932
| ethnic makeup =[[Italian people|Italian]], [[Italian-American]] [[made men]] and other ethnicities as "associates"
| youthclubs = [[Dunmurry Rec F.C.|Dunmurry]]
| membership est =200 - 250 made members, 750-900 associates approx
| years = 1932-1933<br>1933-1937<br><br>1937-1938<br>1938-1940<br><br><br><br><br><br><br>1946-1952
| criminal activities =[[Racketeering]], [[Conspiracy (crime)|conspiracy]], [[loansharking]], [[money laundering]], [[murder]], [[drug trafficking]], [[gambling]], [[extortion]], [[prostitution]]<ref name="abclocal1">{{cite web|url=http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/investigators&id=6011150 |title=Emperor's Club: The Investigators look at the web site behind the Spitzer scandal - 3/12/08 - New York News and Tri-State News - 7online.com |publisher=Abclocal.go.com |author=The Eyewitness News Investigators |date= |accessdate=2008-10-08}}</ref> and [[car theft]].
|clubs= [[Bangor F.C.|Bangor]]<br>[[Linfield F.C.|Linfield]]<br> → [[Windsor Park Swifts F.C.|Windsor Park Swifts]]<br>[[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]<br>[[Huddersfield Town F.C.|Huddersfield Town]]<br> → [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]] ''(guest)''<br> → [[Grimsby Town F.C.|Grimsby Town]] ''(guest)''<br> → [[Halifax Town A.F.C.|Halifax Town]] ''(guest)''<br> → [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]] ''(guest)''<br> → [[Bradford Park Avenue F.C.|Bradford Park Avenue]] ''(guest)''<br> → [[Linfield F.C.|Linfield]] ''(guest)''<br>[[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]]
| allies =[[Genovese Crime Family|Genovese]], [[Bonanno Crime Family|Bonanno]], [[Colombo Crime Family|Colombo]], and [[Lucchese crime family|Lucchese]] Crime Families
|caps(goals) = <br><br><br>49 (15)<br>19 (4)<br><br><br><br><br><br><br>216 (6)
| rivals =Various [[gangs]] over NYC
| nationalyears = 1936<br>1937
}}
| nationalteam = [[Irish League XI]]<br>[[Ireland national football team (IFA)|Ireland]]
The '''Gambino crime family''' is one of the "[[Five Families]]" that controls [[organized crime]] activities based in [[New York City]], [[United States]], within the nationwide criminal phenomenon known as the [[Mafia]] (or [[Cosa Nostra]]). Based in New York City, the group's operations extend to much of the eastern seaboard and all across the nation to [[California]]. Its illicit activities include labor and construction [[racketeering]], [[gambling]], [[loansharking]], [[extortion]], [[illegal drug trade|drug trafficking]], [[money laundering]], [[prostitution]],<ref name="abclocal1"/> [[murder for hire]], solid and [[toxic waste]] dumping violations, construction, building and cement violations, [[fraud]] and [[wire fraud]], [[robbery|hijacking]], pier thefts and [[Fence (criminal)|fencing]].
| nationalcaps(goals) = 2 (1)<br>1 (0)
| pcupdate = May 29 2007
| ntupdate = May 29 2007
|}}


'''Harry Baird''' ([[August 17]], [[1913]], [[Belfast]], [[Ireland]]; died [[May 22]], [[1973]]) was a [[Northern Irish]] professional [[Football (soccer)|footballer]] who played for, among others, [[Linfield F.C.|Linfield]], [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]], [[Huddersfield Town F.C.|Huddersfield Town]] and [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]]. As an international, Baird was also called up by both Ireland teams - the [[Ireland national football team (FAI)|FAI XI]] and the [[Ireland national football team (IFA)|IFA XI]], but only played for the latter.
==History of the Gambino crime family==
===Origins===
The origins of the Gambino crime family can be traced back to the days of a criminal [[Neapolitan]] gang led by [[Pellegrino Morano|Pellegrino "Don Grino" Morano]], which was taken over by [[Salvatore D'Aquila|Salvatore "Toto" D'Aquila]] following the jailing of Morano in 1916. D'Aquila faced up against the forces of [[Joseph Masseria|Giuseppe "Joe the Boss" Masseria]] and was killed around 1928, when the gang he had led passed into the hands of [[Alfred Mineo]] and [[Steve Ferrigno]], at the height of the [[Prohibition]] era. The [[Castellammarese War]], between rival New York bosses Masseria and [[Salvatore Maranzano]], claimed many victims, including Mineo and Ferrigno who were ambushed and killed on November 5, 1930, outside Ferrigno's home at 759 Pelham Parkway South. It was the latest in a long line of killings on both sides of the war, which would ultimately end with the deaths of both principals - Masseria in April 1931 and Maranzano five months later. The main beneficiary (and organizer of both hits) was [[Charles Luciano|Charlie "Lucky" Luciano]], who duly set about rearranging New York's organized crime and establishing the basis of the "[[Five Families]]" of New York, which became known as the [[The Commission (mafia)|Commission]] of the [[Cosa Nostra]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crimelibrary.com/gangsters_outlaws/family_epics/gambino/1.html |title=The Gambino Crime Family - Crime Library on truTV.com |publisher=Crimelibrary.com |date= |accessdate=2008-10-08}}</ref>


==Playing career==
===After the Castellammarese War===
===Club career===
Following a brief period under the control of [[Frank Scalice]], the first recognized leader of what would become the Gambino family was [[Vincent Mangano|Vincenzo "Vincent" Mangano]], an old-school Mafia don in the style of Masseria and Maranzano, but one who was tolerated due to his close ties with Emil Camarda, the vice-president of the [[International Longshoremen's Association]]. Through the association, Mangano and the family controlled the New York and [[Brooklyn]] waterfront with activities including extortion, union racketeering, and illegal gambling operations including horse betting, running numbers and lotteries. Mangano also established the City Democratic Club, ostensibly to promote bedrock American values but in reality as a cover for [[Murder, Inc.]], the notorious band of mainly Jewish hitmen who would do the bidding of the Italian-American run families, for a price. Phil Mangano was a member, as was [[Albert Anastasia]], known as the "Lord High Executioner". Around this time, [[Carlo Gambino]] was promoted within the organization, as was another future boss of the family, Gambino's brother-in-law [[Paul Castellano|Paul "Big Paul" Castellano]].<ref name="crimelibrary1">{{cite web|url=http://www.crimelibrary.com/gangsters_outlaws/family_epics/gambino/2.html |title=The Gambino Crime Family - Crime Library on truTV.com |publisher=Crimelibrary.com |date= |accessdate=2008-10-08}}</ref>
After a successful career with [[Linfield F.C.|Linfield]], where he won an [[Irish League]] title and [[Irish Cup]], Baird was signed by [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] in January 1937 for a fee of £3,500. He joined a struggling side and could do little to prevent United from being relegated at the end of the [[1936-37 in English football#First Division|1936-37]] season. However the following season, together with [[Johnny Carey]], [[Jack Rowley]], [[Tommy Breen]], [[Stan Pearson]] and [[Tommy Bamford]], he helped United gain promotion back to the [[Football League First Division|First Division]]. Together with Bamford, he finished as United's joint top goalscorer that season, both players scoring 15 goals each. Baird then joined [[Huddersfield Town F.C.|Huddersfield Town]] in September 1938 and while there helped them reach the semi-final of the [[FA Cup]] in 1939.


During the [[Second World War]], Baird served in the [[Royal Air Force|RAF]] and guested with several clubs, including his former club [[Linfield F.C.|Linfield]] and [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]], who he would eventually sign for when the war finished. At the time Ipswich were playing in the [[Football League Third Division North|English Third Division South]]. Baird made his debut for Ipswich on August 31 1946 in an away game against [[Leyton Orient F.C.|Leyton Orient]]. He went onto make 216 league appearances for Ipswich, scoring 6 goals. He also played a further 18 games and scored a further goal for them in the [[FA Cup]]. Baird retired as a player during the 1951-52 season, making his final appearance for Ipswich at [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] on October 20 1951. He subsequently became a coach at the club.
===Mangano brothers murdered===
Anastasia and Mangano never entirely saw eye to eye. Mangano resented that Anastasia preferred to keep the company of various members of the other families, and on numerous occasions the two almost came to blows. This was only ever going to end badly for Mangano, and in April 1951, Phil Mangano was discovered murdered, while his brother disappeared without a trace.


===Irish international===
Called to answer for the crimes of which he was suspected by the other New York bosses, Anastasia never admitted to his involvement in the deaths of the Manganos but did claim that Vince had been planning to have him killed. [[Albert Anastasia]] had since begun running the family himself, and few in the organization found themselves inclined to depose one of the most feared killers of the age. Carlo Gambino, a wily character with designs on the leadership himself, maneuvered himself into position as underboss to Anastasia.<ref name="crimelibrary1"/>
When Baird was playing there were, in effect, two Ireland teams, chosen by two rival associations. Both associations, the [[Northern Ireland]] - based [[Irish Football Association|IFA]] and the [[Irish Free State]] - based [[Football Association of Ireland|FAI]] claimed jurisdiction over the whole of [[Ireland]] and selected players from the whole island. As a result several notable Irish players from this era played for both teams. However each association challenged the selection policy of their rival and Baird found himself caught in the middle of one of several disputes.


In May 1938 Baird, together with [[Jackie Brown (footballer)|Jackie Brown]] and [[Walter McMillen]], was one of three [[Northern Ireland]] - born players called up by the [[Ireland national football team (FAI)|FAI XI]] to play in two friendlies against [[Czechoslovakia national football team|Czechoslovakia]] and [[Poland national football team|Poland]]. However the IFA objected and Baird subsequently received a telegram from the [[The Football Association|English FA]] ordering him not to accept the offer on the grounds he was not born in the [[Irish Free State]]. Baird was bitterly disappointed at missing the chance of an international debut and was keen to play for financial reasons as much as anything. He was neutral about the dispute and was willing to play for either team. However facing suspension from the English FA, he eventually declined the FAI offer.
===Anastasia eliminated===
The fortunes of the family around this time were closely linked to those of another - that run by [[Frank Costello]], and which is known today as the [[Genovese crime family]]. [[Vito Genovese]] was the power-hungry [[Underboss]] in the family and needed a way to remove the close ties between Costello and Anastasia, which provided solidarity in the [[National Crime Syndicate]] for the two bosses.


While playing for [[Huddersfield Town F.C.|Huddersfield Town]], Baird subsequently made his only appearance for the [[Ireland national football team (IFA)|IFA XI]] on November 16 1938, in a 7-0 defeat to [[England national football team|England]] at [[Old Trafford (football ground)|Old Trafford]]. The [[Second World War]] effectively put an end to Baird’s international career. Earlier while playing for [[Linfield F.C.|Linfield]], Baird also represented the [[Irish League XI]] on two occasions in 1936. He scored on his debut against the [[Scottish League XI]] at [[Ibrox]] and then later assisted them to a 3-2 win against the [[English League XI]].
Genovese thus jumped on the 1952 killing of a Brooklyn man named [[Arnold Schuster]], who Anastasia had killed for the most minor of indiscretions (acting as a prosecution witness against a bank robber Anastasia didn't even know), as evidence that Anastasia was unbalanced and a threat to the syndicate. With Gambino secretly siding with Genovese against his own boss, the wheels were in motion for the removal of Anastasia.


==Honours==
First, Costello was attacked and wounded outside his apartment building on May 2, 1957. The attack shook Costello to the extent that he soon announced his retirement from the head of his family, turning affairs over to Genovese. The alleged shooter was [[Vincent Gigante|Vincent "Chin" Gigante]].


'''Linfield'''
Six months later, on October 25, 1957, Anastasia was murdered while sitting in a barber's chair at the Park Sheraton Hotel on West 56th Street. For many years, the murder was believed to have been committed by [[Joseph Gallo|Joseph "Crazy Joe" Gallo]]. Later, [[Colombo crime family]] boss and Gallo foe, [[Carmine Persico|Carmine "Junior" Persico]] claimed credit. However, journalist [[Jerry Capeci]] in his online column "Gangland" claims that the murder was committed by a three-man hit team organized by [[Joseph Biondo|Joseph "Joe the Blonde" Biondo]], on the orders of Carlo Gambino. The team consisted of [[Stephen Grammauta]], [[Stephen Armone]] and Arnold Wittenburg, a crew of Lower East Side heroin dealers.<ref>http://ganglandnews.com/column250.htm</ref><ref name="crimelibrary1"/>


*'''[[Irish League]]'''
Anastasia's former Underboss Carlo Gambino took the reigns of the family, which from then on bore his name. Biondo was rewarded with the ''Underboss'' position, which he kept until his death in 1966. Grammauta eventually became a ''[[caporegime]]'' in the 1990s.
**''Winners'' 1934-35 '''1'''
*'''[[Irish Cup]]'''
**''Winners'' 1936 '''1'''


'''Manchester United'''
===Gambino promotes the family===
[[Image:Carlogambino2.jpg|right|framed|Former Gambino crime family Boss [[Carlo Gambino]] taken sometime in the early to mid 1970s, shortly before Gambino's death.]]
Genovese was sent to prison for 15 years, where he would eventually die in 1969. The Gambino family soon became one of the most powerful families in the National Crime Syndicate, with close ties to [[Meyer Lansky]]'s offshore gaming houses in Cuba and the Bahamas, a lucrative business for the Mafia. The failure of [[Joseph Bonanno|Joseph "Joe Bananas" Bonanno]], the head of the [[Bonanno crime family]] and Gambino's top rival, to kill off Gambino and the heads of other New York crime families in the aftermath of the Bonanno War, saw Gambino become the most powerful leader of the "Five Families".<ref name="crimelibrary2">{{cite web|url=http://www.crimelibrary.com/gangsters_outlaws/family_epics/gambino/3.html |title=The Gambino Crime Family - Crime Library on truTV.com |publisher=Crimelibrary.com |date= |accessdate=2008-10-08}}</ref>


*'''[[Football League Second Division|Second Division]]'''
Gambino allegedly stretched his power as far as to organize the shooting of Joe Colombo, head of the Colombo crime family, on June 28, 1971. More likely, Colombo shooter Jerome Johnson was a lone nut attracted to Colombo for his Italian civil rights movement. Or as [[Michael Franzese]], an informer later said, it may have been set up by rogue law enforcement, or by Carlo Gambino himself. Colombo survived the shooting but remained in a coma until his death in 1977. He was buried next to Joseph Gallo. Johnson was killed by Colombo's bodyguard.
**''Runners Up'' [[1937-38 in English football#Second Division|1937-38]]: '''1'''


==Sources==
In either case, Gambino's influence stretched into behind-the-scenes control of the [[Lucchese crime family]], led by [[Carmine Tramunti|Carmine "Mr. Gribbs" Tramunti]]. Gambino also allegedly influenced the selection of [[Frank Tieri|Frank "Funzi" Tieri]] as boss of the Genovese crime family, after the murder of [[Thomas Eboli]], whom Gambino, allegedly, had had killed over a $4 million drug debt.
*''The Boys In Green - The FAI International Story'' (1997): Sean Ryan [http://www.amazon.ca/dp/1851589392]

On October 15, 1976, Gambino died of a heart attack, and control of the family passed not to the obvious choice, Underboss [[Aniello Dellacroce|Aniello "Mr. Neil" Dellacroce]], but to Gambino's brother in-law, [[Paul Castellano]]. Allies of Dellacroce were thoroughly unhappy about that move, but Dellacroce himself kept his men in line, and was kept on as Castellano's Underboss.<ref name="crimelibrary2"/>

===The FBI closes in===
The Dellacroce faction remained displeased, believing that Castellano had inherited the role rather than earning it. Castellano did retain a degree of muscle to keep Dellacroce's allies in check, including the notorious crew run by [[Anthony Gaggi|Anthony "Nino" Gaggi]] and [[Roy DeMeo]], which was believed to have committed somewhere between 10-15 murders during Castellano's regime from the late 1970s and mid 1980s. While Castellano was still in charge, most of the family affairs were run and controlled unofficially by a 4 man ruling-panel which included powerful [[Garment District, Manhattan|Garment District]] leader and [[Thomas Gambino|Thomas "Tommy" Gambino]], bodyguard and later Underboss [[Thomas Bilotti|Thomas "Tommy" Bilotti]], and powerful [[Queens, New York|Queens]] faction-leaders [[Daniel Marino|Daniel "Danny" Marino]] and [[James Failla|James "Jimmy Brown" Failla]], all top rivals of John Gotti.

It was not a time for the family to be embroiled in inner turmoil and argument, as the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] had targeted the Gambino family as the easiest of the five families to infiltrate - FBI tapes obtained from a bug planted in a lamp on Castellano's kitchen table caught him discussing illegal deals with his subordinates, and by the early 1980s Castellano was up on a number of charges and faced with conviction. He let it be known that he wanted Carlo Gambino's son [[Thomas Gambino|Thomas]] to take over the family should he be sent to jail, with [[Thomas Bilotti]] (Castellano's chauffeur and bodyguard) as his Underboss, which further enraged the Dellacroce faction, particularly [[John Gotti]].<ref name="crimelibrary3">{{cite web|url=http://www.crimelibrary.com/gangsters_outlaws/family_epics/gambino/4.html |title=The Gambino Crime Family - Crime Library on truTV.com |publisher=Crimelibrary.com |date= |accessdate=2008-10-08}}</ref>

In 1983, a federal indictment charged 13 members of the Gambino family with drug trafficking. This group included John Gotti's brother, [[Gene Gotti|Gene]], and his best friend, [[Angelo Ruggiero|Angelo "Quack Quack" Ruggiero]], who got his nickname for his non-stop talking. The feds had in fact been listening in on his home phone conversations since 1980 - they had Ruggiero on tape discussing family business, making drug deals, and expressing contempt for Castellano. If Castellano knew they were dealing drugs, in violation of his no-drug policy, Ruggerio would be killed. By law, the accused were allowed transcripts of wiretap conversations to aid their defense, and Castellano demanded to be shown them, though Dellacroce did his best to put him off.<ref name="crimelibrary3"/>

Dellacroce was by this time suffering from cancer, but with Ruggerio desperate for help, his friend John Gotti stood up for him. All the same, Castellano maintained that he wanted the transcripts, or he would have Ruggerio and Gotti removed. Gotti realized he had to act fast, and the death of his mentor Dellacroce on December 2, 1985, paved the way for him to take out Castellano.

===John Gotti takes over===
On December 16, 1985, Bilotti and Castellano were heading for a meeting with capo [[Frank DeCicco]] at the [[Sparks Steak House]] on 46th Street, when they were gunned down by four unidentified men in the middle of rush hour. These men were later recognized and identified by [[Mob]] expert [[Jerry Capeci]] to be Angelo Ruggiero, [[John Carneglia]], [[Vincent Artuso]] and [[Salvatore Scala]], who were contracted by John Gotti.

Known as the "Dapper Don," Gotti was well-known for his hand-tailored suits and silk ties and his willingness to throw out sound bites to the media in a way unlike any Mafia boss before him. He appointed DeCicco as his ''Underboss'' and promoted Ruggiero to ''Caporegime'' in charge of his old crew. At that time, [[Salvatore Gravano|Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano]] was allegedly elevated to ''Consigliere''. Gotti favored holding meetings while walking in public places so that surveillance equipment could pick up visual images, but not the matters being discussed. His home in Howard Beach, Queens, was frequently seen on television. One of his neighbours during that time was [[John Favara]], who disappeared after hitting Gotti's 12-year-old son with a car while he was riding his bike, killing him instantly. Another neighbor was Gotti's dear friend and associate, [[Joseph Massino|Joseph "Big Joe" Massino]], who was during the late 1980s recognized as the Underboss of the Bonanno crime family, and a strong candidate for leadership, for the imprisoned Boss [[Philip Rastelli|Philip "Rusty" Rastelli]].<ref name="crimelibrary4">{{cite web|url=http://www.crimelibrary.com/gangsters_outlaws/family_epics/gambino/5.html |title=The Gambino Crime Family - Crime Library on truTV.com |publisher=Crimelibrary.com |date= |accessdate=2008-10-08}}</ref>

Many mob leaders disapproved of his high-profile style, particularly Genovese crime family boss [[Vincent Gigante|Vincent "Chin" Gigante]], a former ally of Castellano, who allegedly conspired with Lucchese crime family leaders [[Victor Amuso|Vittorio "Vic" Amuso]] and [[Anthony Casso|Anthony "Gaspipe" Casso]], to put out a contract on Gotti's life. On April 13, 1986, a car bomb meant for Gotti, instead killed DeCicco.<ref name="crimelibrary4"/>

Eventually, Gotti's brash demeanor and belief that he was untouchable (he was acquitted on federal charges three times, earning the nickname the "Teflon Don") proved his undoing. The FBI had managed to bug an apartment above the [[Ravenite Social Club]] in Little Italy, where an elderly widow let mobsters hold top-level meetings. Gotti was heard planning criminal activities and complaining about his underlings, especially Salvatore Gravano, who upon hearing the tapes decided to turn state's evidence and testify against Gotti, and dozens of other mobsters, from all the Five Families.

On April 2, 1992, Gotti and current Consigliere [[Frank Locascio|Frank "Frankie Loc" LoCascio]] were convicted and received a sentence of life without parole.

===The family since Gotti===
Gotti continued to rule the family from prison, while day-to-day operation of the family shifted to capos [[Jackie D'Amico|John "Jackie Nose" D'Amico]] and [[Nicholas Corozzo|Nick Corozzo]]. The latter was due to take over as acting boss but was himself sentenced to eight years in prison on racketeering charges. Gotti's son, [[Junior Gotti|John "Junior" Gotti]], took over as head of the family, but in 1998 he too was convicted of racketeering and sentenced to 77 months in jail.

When Gotti Sr died in prison in 2002, his brother [[Peter Gotti|Peter]] took over as boss, allegedly alongside D'Amico, but the family's fortunes have dwindled to a remarkable extent given their power a few short decades ago, when they were considered the most powerful criminal organization on earth. Peter Gotti was imprisoned as well in 2003, as the leadership allegedly went to the current administration members, Nicholas Corozzo, Jackie D'Amico and Joseph Corozzo.<ref name="crimelibrary4"/>

As former rivals of John Gotti took completely over the Gambino family, mostly because the rest of Gotti's loyalists were either jailed or under indictments, and that Gotti, Sr died in prison in 2002, then-current head of [[white collar crimes]] and caporegime, [[Michael DiLeonardo|Michael "Mikey Scars" DiLeonardo]] turned state's evidence due to increased law enforcement and credible evidence toward his racketeering trial, and was forced to testify against mobsters from all of the Five Families. One of the last Gotti supporters, DiLeonardo testified against among others Peter Gotti and [[Anthony Ciccone|Anthony "Sonny" Ciccone]] from 2003 to 2005, and disappeared into the [[Witness Protection Program]]. At the same time, Sammy Gravano, Gotti's former Underboss, had evaded the program in 1995 and was arrested and jailed for operating an [[Methylenedioxymethamphetamine|Ecstasy]]-ring that stretched from [[Arizona]] to New York City in 2003. During that same year, he was sentenced to 19 years in prison, ironically due to informants amongst his associates.

In 2005, Nicholas Corozzo and his longtime underling [[Leonard DiMaria|Leonard "Lenny" DiMaria]] were released from prison after serving ten years for racketeering and loansharking charges in [[New York]] and [[Florida]]. That same year, US lawenforcement recognized Corozzo as the Boss of the Gambino crime family, with his brother Joseph Corozzo as the family Consigliere, [[Arnold Squitieri|Arnold "Zeke" Squitieri]] as the acting Underboss and Jackie D'Amico as a highly regarded member with the Corozzo brothers.

From the year of 2005 and toward 2007, the federal authorities has accomplished the prosecution and conviction of prominent Gambino captains Arnold Squitieri, [[Gregory DePalma]], [[George DeCicco|George "Butters" DeCicco]], [[Ronnie Trucchio|Ronald "One Armed Ronnie" Trucchio]], [[Salvatore LoCascio|Salvatore "Tore" LoCascio]] and [[Joseph Juliano|Joseph "Sonny" Juliano]], including dozens of their soldiers and associates. On February 7, 2008, Federal and New York State authorities rounded up the entire Gambino family hierarchy (co-acting bosses, Nicholas Corozzo, Jackie D'Amico, acting Underboss [[Domenico Cefalu|Domenico "Italian Dom" Cefalu]] and reputed family Consigliere, Joseph Corozzo) in a coordinated sweep that also included figures from the Genovese and Bonanno crime families and accused crime figures in Sicily. Due to the indictments, there is an apparent power-vacuum in the Gambino family. Many speculate the new acting boss is the legendary Castellano-loyalist [[Daniel Marino|Daniel "Danny" Marino]] of the Queens faction of the family. Fresh out of jail, [[Carmine Agnello]] is also being watched very closely.

On Thursday, February 7, 2008, during [[Operation Old Bridge]], the FBI had arrested 54 people in New York City and its northern suburbs, [[New Jersey]] and [[Long Island]]. A federal grand jury accused 62 people of having ties to the Gambino crime family. Offenses including murders, drug trafficking, robberies, extortion, and other crimes. Current top Gambino members Jackie D'Amico, [[Joseph Corozzo|Joseph "Jo Jo" Corozzo]], [[Domenico Cefalu|Domenico "Italian Dom" Cefalu]], including captains [[Leonard DiMaria|Leonard "Lenny" DiMaria]], [[Frank Cali]], [[Thomas Cacciopoli|Thomas "Tommy Sneakers" Cacciopoli]] and soldiers [[Richard G. Gotti|Richard "Richie" Gotti]] and [[Vincent Gotti|Vincent "Vince" Gotti]] are currently imprisoned and are awaiting trial due to the indictments from Operation Old Bridge, however, recognized capo and co-acting boss [[Nicholas Corozzo|Nicholas "Little Nick" Corozzo]], one of the main defendants in the case, fled his home on [[Long Island]], acting on prior knowledge, and was considered fugitive by US law enforcement until his arrest on May 29, 2008.

Today, the FBI and the United States government estimates the family to consist of around 200 to 250 [[Made man|made men]]. While they are larger than most other mob families and exert a lot of influence, they are not as powerful as they were in Carlo Gambino's day and have arguably been in a steady, gradual decline ever since his death, mostly due to increased indictments and the anxious times of Paul Castellano and John Gotti.<ref name="crimelibrary4"/>

==Bosses of the Gambino crime family==
* 1907&ndash;1917 &mdash; [[Pellegrino Morano]] (Brooklyn Camorra leader, jailed 1917, then deported)
* 1916&ndash;1928 &mdash; [[Salvatore D'Aquila|Salvatore "Toto" D'Aquila]] (what was left of the Brooklyn Camorra aligned with the D'Aquila group, killed by Joe Masseria October 10 or 28, 1928)
* 1928&ndash;1930 &mdash; [[Alfred Mineo|Alfred "Al Mineo" Manfredi]] (killed during Castellammarese War November 5, 1930)
* 1930&ndash;1931 &mdash; [[Frank Scalise|Francesco "Frank/Don Cheech" Scalise]] (demoted after Salvatore Maranzano was killed)
* 1931&ndash;1951 &mdash; [[Vincent Mangano|Vincenzo "Vincent" Mangano]] (recognized as the first official boss of the family which would be the Gambino Family, disappeared April 15, 1951, allegedly killed by Albert Anastasia)
* 1951&ndash;1957 &mdash; [[Albert Anastasia|Albert "Mad Hatter" Anastasia]] (former head of the infamous death-squad ''Murder Incorporated'', stepped up after Mangano disappeared, killed October 25, 1957, on orders of his Underboss Carlo Gambino)
* 1957&ndash;1976 &mdash; [[Carlo Gambino]] (family godfather, seized also the power of the Commission and recognized as the most powerful boss during his entire regime from the late 1950s and all the way up to the mid 1970s, died October 15, 1976, of natural causes)
* 1976&ndash;1985 &mdash; Paul Castellano (originally a captain and Gambino's brother-in-law who was promoted by Gambino on his death bed, which triggered a small war between two of the family's factions, killed on the orders of rival John Gotti, December 16, 1985)
* 1986&ndash;2002 &mdash; [[John Gotti]] (most infamous boss recognized in the media, stepped up with younger regimes, caused great rivalry between him and two other families, jailed from 1990-2002, officially recognized boss, died June 10, 2002, while incarcerated)
* 1992&ndash;1996 &mdash; '''Ruling Committee/Panel''' (aides to acting boss) [[Nicholas Corozzo|Nicholas "Little Nick" Corozzo]] 1992-96 (jailed), [[Leonard DiMaria|Leonard "Lenny" DiMaria]] 1992-96 (jailed), [[Jackie D'Amico|John "Jackie Nose "DAmico]] 1992-96
* 1996&ndash;2002 &mdash; '''Ruling Committee/Panel''' Jackie D'Amico 1996-98 (jailed), [[Peter Gotti|Peter "One Eye" Gotti]] 1996-1999 (promoted), [[Louis Vallario|Louis "Big Lou" Vallario]] 1996-2002, [[Stephen Grammauta|Stephen "Stevie Coogan" Grammauta]] 1996-2002, [[Michael DiLeonardo|Michael "Mikey Scars" DiLeonardo]] 1996-2002 (jailed 2002, defected November 2002) ('''Committee/Panel''' disbanded 2002, with death of longtime Don and Godfather, John Gotti)
* 1992&ndash;1999 &mdash; [[Junior Gotti|John A. Gotti Jr.]] also known as "Junior" Gotti (''acting boss'') (jailed 1999)
* 1999&ndash;2002 &mdash; [[Peter Gotti|Peter "One Eye" Gotti]] (''acting boss'')
* 2002&ndash;2003 &mdash; Peter Gotti (recognized as official boss, jailed 2002)
* 2002&ndash;2005 &mdash; [[Arnold Squitieri|Arnold "Zeke" Squitieri]] (''acting boss'')
* 2005&ndash;present &mdash; Jackie D'Amico (''acting boss''), [[Domenico Cefalu|Domenico "Italian Dom" Cefalu]] (''acting underboss''), [[Joseph Corozzo|Joseph "Jo Jo" Corozzo]] (''consigliere'')
* 2005&ndash;2006 &mdash; [[Nicholas Corozzo|Nicholas "Little Nick" Corozzo]] (possibly the official ''sitting boss'')
* 2006&ndash;2007 &mdash; Nicholas Corozzo (Boss), Jackie D'Amico (''street boss/caporegime''), [[Domenico Cefalu|Domenico "Italian Dom" Cefalu]] (''underboss'', arrested on violation of his parole, in custody), [[Arnold Squitieri|Arnold "Zeke" Squitieri]] (''acting underboss''), Joseph Corozzo (''consigliere'')
* 2007&ndash;2008 &mdash; [[Nicholas Corozzo]] (Boss), [[Jackie D'Amico]] (''street boss/caporegime''), [[Leonard DiMaria|Leonard "Lenny" DiMaria]] (''street boss/caporegime'')On strict supervised release until 2008, [[Arnold Squitieri]] (''acting underboss''), [[Joseph Corozzo]] (''consigliere'')
* 2008&ndash;present &mdash; [[Nicholas Corozzo]] (Boss), [[Jackie D'Amico]] (''acting boss''), [[Arnold Squitieri]] (''underboss''), [[Joseph Corozzo]] (''consigliere'') (present regime-hierarchy 2008)

==Current family leaders==

*[[Nicholas Corozzo|Nicholas "Little Nick" Corozzo]] - [[Capo]], former rival of [[John Gotti]] and [[Crime boss|Boss]] of the Gambino crime family. Brother of [[Consigliere]] [[Joseph Corozzo]] and the current head of the caporegimes. Named as one of the main defendants in the [[Operation Old Bridge]] case, but was tipped off in advance and went for almost four months on the run. Incarcerated at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC).

*[[Jackie D'Amico|John "Jackie Nose" D'Amico]] - Capo, took over the old John Gotti crew in the early 1990s, operated in Queens and Brooklyn with labor racketeering, loansharking, extortion and murder. Currently an alleged Street boss or Acting boss along with the Corozzo brothers. Named as one of the main defendants following the indictments from [[Operation Old Bridge]], he was sentenced to 2 years in prison.

*[[Arnold Squitieri|Arnold "Zeke" Squitieri]] - Underboss, longtime caporegime in the Gambino crime family, used to operate in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn with drug trafficking during the 1980s. Now he's currently promoted to family Underboss. Squitieri was convicted of [[illegal gambling]] and [[tax evasion]] in 2006, and is currently serving just over seven years in prison.

*[[Joseph Corozzo|Joseph "Jo Jo" Corozzo]] - Current [[Consigliere]] and brother of Nicholas Corozzo, with alleged loansharking and illegal gambling operations in Manhattan and Queens. Held his position since 1992 as a former rival of John Gotti. Named in the [[Operation Old Bridge]] indictments along with his brother, Corozzo was arrested and put into custody on February 8 and was in August sentenced to 46 months in prison.

==Current family Capos==

*[[Nicholas Corozzo|Nicholas "Little Nick" Corozzo]] - Capo and Boss of the Gambino crime family. Brother of Consigliere Joseph Corozzo, uncle of Joseph Jr. and the current head of the caporegimes. Became a fugitive for almost four months, currently incarcerated.<ref name="geocities1">http://www.geocities.com/OrganizedCrimeSyndicates/GambinoFamily.html</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bop.gov/iloc2/InmateFinderServlet?Transaction=NameSearch&needingMoreList=false&LastName=Corozzo&Middle=&FirstName=Nicholas&Race=U&Sex=U&Age=&x=0&y=0 |title=Federal Bureau of Prisons |publisher=Bop.gov |date= |accessdate=2008-10-08}}</ref>
*[[Jackie D'Amico|John "Jackie Nose" D'Amico]] - Capo, took over the old John Gotti crew in the early 1990s, operated in Queens and Brooklyn with labor racketeering, loansharking, extortion and murder. Currently an alleged street boss or acting boss along with the Corozzo brothers.<ref name="geocities1"/>
*[[Thomas Gambino|Thomas "Tommy" Gambino]] - Capo, son of former family godfather [[Carlo Gambino]] and nephew to [[Paul Castellano]]. Crew originally based in Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan, New York. Controls labor racketeering in the [[Garment District, Manhattan|Garment District]].<ref name="geocities1"/>
*[[Leonard DiMaria|Leonard "Lenny" DiMaria]] - Capo, personal right-hand-man for Nicholas Corozzo since early 1970s. Operates in Brooklyn and Manhattan with racketeering and loansharking. Alleged racketeering operations in [[Florida]].
*[[Frank Cali|Francesco "Frank" Cali]] - Capo, accordingly the official Gambino "ambassador to the Sicilian Mafia", Cali extorted money with Leonard DiMaria from [[Joseph Vollero]]s trucking company on Staten Island.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mob-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/two-more-gambino-guilty-pleas.html |title=Mob-News: Two more Gambino guilty pleas |publisher=Mob-news.blogspot.com |author=Tom Hunt |date=Wednesday, June 4, 2008 |accessdate=2008-10-08}}</ref> A major suspect in the drug trafficking between the Sicilian Mafia and the Gambinos, Cali is currently incarcerated.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bop.gov/iloc2/InmateFinderServlet?Transaction=NameSearch&needingMoreList=false&FirstName=Frank&Middle=&LastName=Cali&Race=U&Sex=U&Age=&x=0&y=0 |title=Federal Bureau of Prisons |publisher=Bop.gov |date= |accessdate=2008-10-08}}</ref>
*[[Thomas Cacciopoli|Thomas "Tommy Sneakers" Cacciopoli]] - Capo in the [[New Jersey]] faction of the Gambinos.
*[[Domenico Cefalu|Domenico "Italian Dom" Cefalu]] - Capo and former Underboss. Born in Italy, Cefalu is the Sicilian faction-leader of the family, along with [[Anthony Megale]]. Currently imprisoned on violation of his parole and due to the indictments from [[Operation Old Bridge]].<ref name="geocities1"/>
*[[Daniel Marino|Daniel "Danny" Marino]] - Capo of the Gambinos' Queens faction with labor and construction racketeering operations. A longtime rival of John Gotti, Marino was involved in the murder-conspiracy that killed [[Frank DeCicco]] instead of Gotti in 1986.
*[[Anthony Ciccone|Anthony "Sonny" Ciccone]] - Capo. A legend on the Brooklyn waterfront and dock boss, now serving a long prison sentence.
*[[Salvatore Ricchiettore|Salvatore "Vinny Papa" Ricchiettore]] - Acting Capo and current dock boss on behalf of Anthony Ciccone on the Brooklyn waterfront. Longtime member of the Gambino crime family.<ref name="geocities1"/>
*[[George DeCicco|George "Butters" DeCicco]] - Capo and brother of former Gambino Underboss, Frank DeCicco. A loyalist to John Gotti, DeCicco has been operating out of the Staten Island and Brooklyn factions of the family with loansharking since the 1980s. Currently on trial.
*[[Anthony Megale|Anthony "Tony Genius" Megale]] - Capo and co-leader of the Sicilian faction of the family with [[Domenico Cefalu]], Megale was the former acting underboss of the Gambino family after Peter Gotti was sent to prison in 2002. Currently incarcerated.<ref name="geocities1"/>
*[[Gene Gotti|Eugene "Gene" Gotti]] - Capo, imprisoned for drug-trafficking, loansharking, murder and extortion. Brother of John, Peter, Vincent Gotti and Richard. Gene Gotti is serving 50 years in prison, but is in charge of all Gambino family loansharking business in New York.<ref name="geocities1"/>
*[[Richard Gotti|Richard "Richie" Gotti]] - Capo of the Manhattan side. Brother of John, Peter, Gene and Vincent. Controls loansharking, extortion and garbage routes. Waste management consultant in Manhattan.<ref name="geocities1"/>
*[[Salvatore Scala|Salvatore "Fat Sally" Scala]] - Capo with extortion, racketeering and loansharking operations based in the Queens faction. Former [[heroin]]-trafficker and recognized by [[Jerry Capeci]] as one of the designated shooters in the murders of [[Paul Castellano]] and [[Thomas Bilotti]].<ref name="geocities1"/>
*[[Louis Ricco|Louis "Louie Bracciole" Ricco]] - Caporegime, controls illegal gambling, loansharking and racketeering in one half of the [[Bronx]], as well as operating out of the New Jersey and Brooklyn factions of the family.<ref name="geocities1"/>
*[[Salvatore LoCascio|Salvatore "Tore" LoCascio]] - Capo - Son of the imprisoned [[Consigliere]], [[Frank Locascio|Frank "Frankie Loc" LoCascio]]. Control of the other half of the Bronx faction. Used to operate within [[pornography]] that earned so much as $350 million a year, until he was prosecuted in 2003.<ref name="geocities1"/>
*[[Ronnie Trucchio|Ronald "One Armed Ronnie" Trucchio]] - Capo with control of [[The Ozone Park Boys]], used to operate in Queens with a $30 million-a-year illegal gambling operation. Sentenced to [[life imprisonment]] in 2005.<ref name="geocities1"/>
*[[Stephen Grammauta|Stephen "Stevie Coogan" Grammauta]] - Capo in the Manhattan faction of the Gambino family. Recognized by [[Jerry Capeci]] as one of the ''real'' shooters in the murder of [[Albert Anastasia]] in 1957. Reportedly served as ''acting boss'' in the "Ruling Panel" from 1996 to 2002.<ref name="geocities1"/>
*[[Louis Vallario|Louis "Big Lou" Vallario]] - Capo, served from 1996 to 2002 as ''acting boss'' in the Family's ''Ruling Committee/Panel''. Took over the crew of [[Sammy Gravano|Sam Gravano]] in the 1980s. One of the last aides to John Gotti. Controls crew in [[Bensonhurst, Brooklyn]].<ref name="geocities1"/>
*[[Joseph Juliano|Joseph "Sonny" Juliano]] - Capo in the Brooklyn faction of the Gambino crime family with illegal gambling, loansharking, fraud and wire fraud activities. Used to manage and operate a multi-million-dollar illegal gambling ring in 30 different locations in New York City.
*[[Vincent Corrao|Vincent "Vinny the Shrimp" Corrao]] - Capo with illegal gambling and [[narcotics]] operations. Crew originally based in Brooklyn.<ref name="geocities1"/>
*[[Vincent Artuso|Vincent "Little Vinny" Artuso]] - Capo with control of the [[Palm Beach, Florida]] faction of the Gambino family. Former drug trafficker and recognized by Jerry Capeci as one of the four designated shooters in the murder of [[Paul Castellano]] in 1985.<ref name="geocities1"/>
*[[Anthony Trentacosta|Anthony "Tony Pep" Trentacosta]] - Caporegime in the [[South Florida]] faction of the family. Former friend of [[John Gotti]], used to run a gasoline racket that cost the US government $1 billion in tax dollars during the 1980s.<ref name="geocities1"/>

<!--commented out until concerns can be resolved==Government informants==
*[[Salvatore Gravano|Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano]], Underboss
*[[Michael DiLeonardo|Michael "Mikey Scars" DiLeonardo]], Caporegime
*[[Dominic Borghese|Dominic "Fat Dom" Borghese]], Soldier
*[[Joseph D'Angelo]], Soldier
*[[Frank Fappiano|Frank "Frankie Fap" Fappiano]], Soldier
*[[Wilfred Johnson|Willie Boy Johnson]], Associate
*[[Dominick LoFaro|Dominick "Big Dom" LoFaro]], Associate
*[[Frank Scollo|Frank "Red" Scollo]], Associate
*[[Lewis N. Wilson]], Providence drug kingpen-->

==See also Gambino family ==
=== Gambino family mobsters ===
*[[Albert Anastasia|Albert "Lord High Executioner" Anastasia]]
*[[Anthony Anastasio|Anthony "Tough Tony" Anastasio]]
*[[Thomas Bilotti]]
*[[Bartholomew Boriello|Bartholomew "Bobby" Boriello]]
*[[Paul Castellano]] - former Boss
*[[John Cody]]
*[[James Coonan]]
*[[Frank DeCicco]]
*[[Aniello Dellacroce|Aniello "Neil" Dellacroce]]
*[[Roy DeMeo]]
*[[William Devino|William "Billy Batts" Devino]]
*[[Michael DiLeonardo|Michael "Mikey Scars" DiLeonardo]]
*[[James Failla|James "Jimmy Brown" Failla]]
*[[Carmine Fatico|Carmine "Charley Wagons" Fatico]]
*[[Mickey Featherstone]]
*[[Thomas Gambino|Thomas "Tommy" Gambino]]
*[[John Gotti|John "Dapper Don" Gotti]]
*[[John Gotti, Jr.|John "Junior" Gotti, Jr.]]
*[[Salvatore Gravano|Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano]] - Former Underboss turned government witness
*[[Carmine Lombardozzi|Carmine "Doctor" Lombardozzi]]
*[[Ralph Mosca|Ralph "Ralphie Bones" Mosca]]
*[[Frank Piccolo]]
*[[Angelo Ruggiero|Angelo "Quack Quack" Ruggiero]]
*[[Anthony Scotto]]
*[[Michael Paradiso]]
*[[Michele Sindona|Michele "The Shark" Sindona]]
*[[Louis Vallario|Louis "Big Lou" Vallario]]

=== Gambino family Mafia trials ===
*[[Mafia Commission Trial]]
*[[Pizza Connection Trial]]

==In popular culture==
* "Mr. Moran" is a song about Sammy Gravano on the album ''[[A Jackknife to a Swan]]'' by the [[ska-core]] group [[The Mighty Mighty Bosstones]].
*Rapper [[Raekwon]] recasts the [[Wu-Tang Clan]] as an Italian mafioso family dubbed the "Wu-Gambinos" on his debut album ''[[Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...]]''
*In his song "Last Real Nigga Alive," [[Nas]] raps about his infamous feud with [[Jay-Z]]. In one line he says "...'Cause in order for him to be the don/ Nas had to go/ the Gam-b-i-n-o rules, I understood..."
*In the computer game GTA IV which is based in New York the Gambetti family is based on the Gambinos.
*On the popular website [[Gaia Online]], two characters are named after the Gambino crime family.

==References==

<references/>

==Further reading==
*Capeci, Jerry. ''The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Mafia''. Indianapolis: Alpha Books, 2002. ISBN 0-02-864225-2
*Davis, John H. ''Mafia Dynasty: The Rise and Fall of the Gambino Crime Family''. New York: HarperCollins, 1993. ISBN 0-06-016357-7
*Jacobs, James B., Christopher Panarella and Jay Worthington. ''Busting the Mob: The United States Vs. Cosa Nostra''. New York: NYU Press, 1994. ISBN 0-8147-4230-0
*Maas, Peter. ''Underboss: Sammy the Bull Gravano's Story of Life in the Mafia''. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1997. ISBN 0-06-093096-9
*Raab, Selwyn. ''Five Families: The Rise, Decline, and Resurgence of America's Most Powerful Mafia Empires''. New York: St. Martin Press, 2005. ISBN 0-312-30094-8


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://nifootball.blogspot.com/2006/07/harry-baird.html Northern Ireland’s Footballing Greats]
*[http://bangorfc.com/baird-h.asp Bangor FC]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Baird, Harry}}
*[http://www.carpenoctem.tv/mafia/gambinof.html Seize The Night: Gambino Crime Family]
[[Category:1913 births]]
*[http://www.gambinofamily.com/ GambinoFamily.com]
[[Category:1973 deaths]]
*[http://www.johngotti.info/mob_garment.html When The Mob Delivered The Goods]
[[Category:People from Belfast]]
*[http://ganglandnews.com/dimaria.htm Gangland News Leonard DiMaria] by Jerry Capeci
[[Category:Northern Irish association footballers]]

[[Category:Pre-1950 IFA international footballers]]
{{Five Families}}
[[Category:Football (soccer) midfielders]]

[[Category:Gambino crime family| ]]
[[Category:Football (soccer) strikers]]
[[Category:Italian-American crime families]]
[[Category:Linfield F.C. players]]
[[Category:Manchester United F.C. players]]

[[Category:Huddersfield Town F.C. players]]
[[de:Gambino-Familie]]
[[Category:Ipswich Town F.C. players]]
[[es:Familia criminal Gambino]]
[[Category:Derby County F.C. wartime guest players]]
[[fr:Famille Gambino]]
[[Category:Grimsby Town F.C. wartime guest players]]
[[it:Gambino (famiglia)]]
[[Category:Halifax Town A.F.C. wartime guest players]]
[[nl:Gambino]]
[[Category:Huddersfield Town F.C. wartime guest players]]
[[ja:ガンビーノ一家]]
[[Category:The Football League players]]
[[no:Gambino-familien]]
[[pl:Rodzina Gambino]]
[[ru:Семья Гамбино]]
[[sv:Familjen Gambino]]

Revision as of 15:27, 12 October 2008

Harry Baird
Personal information
Full name Henry C. Baird
Position(s) Centre - forward / Midfielder
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of May 29 2007

Harry Baird (August 17, 1913, Belfast, Ireland; died May 22, 1973) was a Northern Irish professional footballer who played for, among others, Linfield, Manchester United, Huddersfield Town and Ipswich Town. As an international, Baird was also called up by both Ireland teams - the FAI XI and the IFA XI, but only played for the latter.

Playing career

Club career

After a successful career with Linfield, where he won an Irish League title and Irish Cup, Baird was signed by Manchester United in January 1937 for a fee of £3,500. He joined a struggling side and could do little to prevent United from being relegated at the end of the 1936-37 season. However the following season, together with Johnny Carey, Jack Rowley, Tommy Breen, Stan Pearson and Tommy Bamford, he helped United gain promotion back to the First Division. Together with Bamford, he finished as United's joint top goalscorer that season, both players scoring 15 goals each. Baird then joined Huddersfield Town in September 1938 and while there helped them reach the semi-final of the FA Cup in 1939.

During the Second World War, Baird served in the RAF and guested with several clubs, including his former club Linfield and Ipswich Town, who he would eventually sign for when the war finished. At the time Ipswich were playing in the English Third Division South. Baird made his debut for Ipswich on August 31 1946 in an away game against Leyton Orient. He went onto make 216 league appearances for Ipswich, scoring 6 goals. He also played a further 18 games and scored a further goal for them in the FA Cup. Baird retired as a player during the 1951-52 season, making his final appearance for Ipswich at Crystal Palace on October 20 1951. He subsequently became a coach at the club.

Irish international

When Baird was playing there were, in effect, two Ireland teams, chosen by two rival associations. Both associations, the Northern Ireland - based IFA and the Irish Free State - based FAI claimed jurisdiction over the whole of Ireland and selected players from the whole island. As a result several notable Irish players from this era played for both teams. However each association challenged the selection policy of their rival and Baird found himself caught in the middle of one of several disputes.

In May 1938 Baird, together with Jackie Brown and Walter McMillen, was one of three Northern Ireland - born players called up by the FAI XI to play in two friendlies against Czechoslovakia and Poland. However the IFA objected and Baird subsequently received a telegram from the English FA ordering him not to accept the offer on the grounds he was not born in the Irish Free State. Baird was bitterly disappointed at missing the chance of an international debut and was keen to play for financial reasons as much as anything. He was neutral about the dispute and was willing to play for either team. However facing suspension from the English FA, he eventually declined the FAI offer.

While playing for Huddersfield Town, Baird subsequently made his only appearance for the IFA XI on November 16 1938, in a 7-0 defeat to England at Old Trafford. The Second World War effectively put an end to Baird’s international career. Earlier while playing for Linfield, Baird also represented the Irish League XI on two occasions in 1936. He scored on his debut against the Scottish League XI at Ibrox and then later assisted them to a 3-2 win against the English League XI.

Honours

Linfield

Manchester United

Sources

  • The Boys In Green - The FAI International Story (1997): Sean Ryan [1]

External links

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