Seamus O'Connell
| Seamus O'Connell | ||
| Personnel | ||
|---|---|---|
| Surname | Seamus O'Connell | |
| birthday | January 1, 1930 | |
| place of birth | Carlisle , England | |
| date of death | February 24, 2013 | |
| Place of death | Spain | |
| position | Half-striker | |
| Men's | ||
| Years | station | Games (goals) 1 |
| Sligo Rovers | ||
| 1950-1953 | FC Queen's Park | 53 (26) |
| 1953-1954 | Middlesbrough FC | 3 (2) |
| 1954-1956 | Chelsea FC | 16 (11) |
| 1958 | Carlisle United | 4 (2) |
| Bishop Auckland FC | ||
| Crook Town | ||
| National team | ||
| Years | selection | Games (goals) |
| 1954-1955 | England amateurs | 4 (0) |
| 1955 | Great Britain Olympia | 1 (0) |
| 1 Only league games are given. | ||
Seamus O'Connell (born January 1, 1930 in Carlisle , † February 24, 2013 in Spain ) was an English football player . The half-forward , who insisted on amateur status throughout his sports career, won the English championship with Chelsea in 1955 .
Athletic career
The Irish-born O'Connell, unlike his brother Sean, who was one of the best players in Gaelic football of his time , started a football career with the Sligo Rovers before moving to Glasgow-based Queen's Park . O'Connell was the son of a wealthy farmer and decided early on not to play football professionally and instead to work in the family's cattle trade. Nevertheless, he hired in May 1953 in English pro football at Middlesbrough FC , who fought as a first division against relegation.
In his first game, which ended on Boxing Day 1953 with a 3-2 win over Newcastle United , he scored directly a goal. Only a few more missions followed; instead, he focused again on amateur sports and from then on he acted for Bishop Auckland . He was in the 1954 final of the FA Amateur Cup , which was lost to Crook Town . In August 1954 Ted Drake signed him for Chelsea . The newcomer made a lot of talk during the 1954/55 season, which brought the "Blues" the English championship. After a hat trick on the occasion of his debut against Manchester United (5-6), he came in nine other league games and scored a total of seven goals. His strengths included speed, game intelligence, shot strength and he harmonized well with fellow strikers Roy Bentley and Frank Blunstone . He also took the penalty in the important duel with Wolverhampton Wanderers for the decisive 1-0 victory. Despite corresponding offers, however, O'Connell refused to gain professional status. Instead, he turned back to his parallel engagement at Bishop Auckland, where he won the FA Amateur Cup in 1955 and 1956 and completed international matches in the English amateur team . For Chelsea, he only played six more games. In February 1958 he was briefly on the road for Carlisle United in his hometown , but the next title win was again in the amateur field with Crook Town in 1959.
O'Connell spent the last years of his life in his new adopted home in Spain. He died there on February 24, 2013 after suffering a heart attack six and a half years earlier.
Title / Awards
- English Championship (1): 1955
- FA Amateur Cup (3): 1955, 1956, 1959
Web links
- Statistical data from the Post War English & Scottish Football League AZ Player's Database
- Profile on barryhugmansfootballers.com
Individual evidence
- ↑ Seamus D O'Connell (stamford-bridge.com)
- ↑ Seamus O'Connell: Footballer who won the title with Chelsea (The Independent)
- ^ "Sad times for Spanish Seamus" (The Northern Echo)
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | O'Connell, Seamus |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | English soccer player |
| DATE OF BIRTH | January 1, 1930 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Carlisle |
| DATE OF DEATH | February 24, 2013 |
| Place of death | Spain |