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Ronnie Whelan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For his father, Ronnie Sr., see Ronnie Whelan (footballer, born 1936).
"Ronald Whelan" redirects here. For the Australian actor, see Ronald Whelan (actor).

Ronnie Whelan
Whelan in 2013
Personal information
Full name Ronald Andrew Whelan
Date of birth (1961-09-25) 25 September 1961 (age 63)
Place of birth Dublin, Ireland
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[1]
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
Home Farm
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1977–1979 Home Farm 45 (7)
1979–1994 Liverpool 362 (46)
1994–1996 Southend United 34 (1)
Total 441 (54)
International career
1979 League of Ireland XI 1 (1)
1981 Republic of Ireland U21 1 (0)
1994 Republic of Ireland B 1 (0)
1981–1995 Republic of Ireland 53 (3)
Managerial career
1995–1997 Southend United
1998–1999 Panionios
2000–2001 Olympiakos Nicosia
2002 Apollon Limassol
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Ronald Andrew Whelan (/ˈrɒniː ˈhwiːlən/; born 25 September 1961) is an Irish former professional football player who played as a midfielder and sometimes as a defender. He played an integral role in the dominant Liverpool side that won a wealth of titles in the 1980s. He was at the club from 1979 until 1994, scoring a number of vital goals. In 100 Players Who Shook The Kop, a poll of 110,000 Liverpool fans conducted by Liverpool's official website, Whelan came in 30th.

Whelan finished his career at Southend United, where he was also player-manager. He has also managed in Greece and Cyprus, with Panionios, Olympiakos Nicosia and Apollon Limassol.

Whelan was an important member of the Republic of Ireland national football team at one UEFA European Football Championship (1988) and also appeared at two World Cups (1990 and 1994). He played a total of 53 times for the national side between 1981 and 1995.

Since retirement he has begun a media career, and is a regular contributor to RTÉ Sport in Ireland.

Early life

[edit]

Whelan was born into a family of footballers from Dublin, Ireland; his father, Ronnie Sr., was an Irish international and a key member of the successful St Patrick's Athletic side of the late 1950s and early 1960s. His brother Paul Whelan played for Bohemian FC and Shamrock Rovers.

Whelan was a skilful and industrious midfield player, who, after an unsuccessful trial period for Manchester United (for whom he made one appearance for their 'B' team, scoring in a 7–4 win over Liverpool 'B', on 20 August 1977),[2] made his League of Ireland debut for Home Farm on his 16th birthday at Tolka Park.[3]

Whelan scored for a League of Ireland XI against the Basque Country at the San Mamés in August 1979 [4]

Liverpool

[edit]

Whelan was signed for Liverpool by Bob Paisley for a bargain £35,000[5] on 19 September 1979, a few days before his 18th birthday and made his debut 18 months later, on 3 April 1981, scoring his first goal in the 27th minute of the 3–0 league win over Stoke City at Anfield.[6] This would be Whelan's one and only appearance of the season for the first team, as Whelan spent much of his first few months at the club in the reserves.[7]

The following season Whelan won his place on the left side of the Liverpool midfield, ending the Anfield career of Ray Kennedy[8] and also taking over his No. 5 shirt. It was an excellent season for Whelan, as he settled into first team football and helped Liverpool to another League championship.[9] They also retained the League Cup with victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley, with Whelan scoring twice[10] in the 3–1 win, including the equalizer late in regulation time and the winner in extra-time.[9]

In 1983, Liverpool retained these two trophies and Whelan again tallied in the League Cup final, scoring the winner with a curving shot into the Manchester United net in extra-time to secure a 2–1 win. Whelan then played a major role in Liverpool's treble of League title, League Cup and European Cup of 1984, although he was injured for part of this season.[11]

Liverpool's trophyless season in 1985, culminating in the disaster at Heysel, was followed by a much more successful season for Whelan and Liverpool, under the new management of Kenny Dalglish. Liverpool clinched another League title and added the FA Cup, with Whelan setting up two of the goals in a 3–1 victory over Merseyside rivals Everton, the first time the two had met in an FA Cup final. It was only the third League and FA Cup "double" of the 20th century. Whelan put in some fine performances in the league as well, most notably a hat-trick in the 5–0 home win over Coventry City on 12 April 1986.[12][13]

Liverpool ended the following season trophyless, losing the League Cup Final to Arsenal and coming second to Everton in the league.[14] The following year, Whelan switched to a central role following the arrival of England winger John Barnes at Anfield, supplementing the new strike partnership of Peter Beardsley and John Aldridge.[15] This season saw Liverpool play an exciting brand of football and they won the league title with just two defeats all season. They also reached the final of the FA Cup, although Whelan missed out on the cup final as Nigel Spackman, who had won his place in the team when Whelan was injured earlier in the season was chosen ahead of him. Whelan's name and profile was even left out of the official match programme at Wembley for the FA Cup final against Wimbledon, which prohibitive favourites Liverpool lost 1–0 to a team who had just completed only their second season in the First Division and their 11th in the Football League.[1][16]

An injury to club captain Alan Hansen meant that Whelan spent much of the 1988–89 season as captain of Liverpool, a role he relished as the club progressed to another challenge for a "double".[17] Then the Hillsborough disaster happened, and Whelan played a key role in leading the team on and off the pitch in a difficult time. When Hansen recovered, Whelan maintained the captaincy for continuity purposes and it was he who lifted the FA Cup after a 3–2 win over derby rivals Everton.[18] However, he missed the chance to do the same with the League title, with Arsenal taking the championship thanks to a last-minute goal from Michael Thomas on the final day of the season on goal difference. This meant that for the second year running Liverpool narrowly missed out on a unique second double.[17]

Liverpool won the League again in 1990 with Whelan playing a central role for much of the season, although he missed the last few games due to the first of several injuries which would severely hamper the rest of his Liverpool career.[19] One of Whelan's more forgettable moments came that season, when in a match at Old Trafford, an unmarked Whelan chipped a backpass from 30 yards over goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar and into the net. It is considered to be one of the most bizarre and comical own goals in top flight history.[5] However, Liverpool still won the match 2–1.

Whelan remained a first team regular the following season, until an injury sustained in February 1991 against Everton ruled him out for the rest of the campaign.[20] For the rest of his Anfield career, Whelan was injured as often as he played. He missed much of the 1991–92 season with injury, although returned to score a crucial equaliser against Portsmouth in the FA Cup semi-final, forcing a replay which Liverpool won on penalties.[20] However, although he had recovered from another minor injury in time for the successful Cup final against Sunderland, he didn't feature, his place going to Jan Mølby.[20]

When Whelan was fit, manager Graeme Souness gave him plenty more first team opportunities in the new FA Premier League for the 1992–93 and 1993–94 seasons, but it was a disappointing period for the club, as they finished sixth in the Premier League in 1993 and eighth in 1994.[21][22] By this time, Graeme Souness had been replaced as manager by Roy Evans. At the end of the 1993–94 season, Evans decided not to offer Whelan a new contract.[23][24]

In all, Whelan played 493 first team games for Liverpool, scoring 73 goals in combined league and cup matches. He scored 46 league goals in fourteen consecutive seasons, 37 of them in his first seven years when he played a more attacking role. He won six League championship title medals, three FA Cups, a European Cup and three League Cup medals in his time with the club.[8]

International career

[edit]

By the age of 20 Whelan had represented the Republic of Ireland national football team at schoolboy, youth, amateur, U21 and senior level. Whelan first represented his country at schoolboy level.[25]

Whelan was a regular for the Republic of Ireland, making his debut on 29 April 1981 when he came off the bench in the 63rd minute of the 3–1 victory over Czechoslovakia at Lansdowne Road.[26][27]

Whelan was part of the Irish side which qualified for the UEFA European Championship of 1988 in West Germany.[27] He was in the team which memorably beat England 1–0, and in the next game scored a spectacular goal in a draw with the USSR.[28][29] Defeat in the final group game, against eventual champions Netherlands, eliminated Ireland from the competition.[30] In general, Ireland's style under manager Jack Charlton did not involve precision midfield play, which limited Whelan's international impact. He came on as a substitute against Holland in his only appearance in the 1990 World Cup, and played for less than a half against Norway in his sole 1994 World Cup game. In all he played 53 times for his country, scoring three goals.[27]

Managerial career

[edit]

On his departure from Anfield in 1994 after 15 years, Whelan signed for Southend United and became their player-manager a year later, before being sacked at the end of the 1996–97 season following their relegation from Division One.[31]

He later worked with clubs in Greece such as Panionios and in Cyprus such as Apollon Limassol and Olympiakos Nicosia.[32] His greatest success as a manager, was with Panionios in 1999, when his team reached for first time the quarter finals of a European competition, the Cup Winners Cup, when they were eliminated by eventual champions S.S. Lazio by 0–4 and 0–3 scores over the two legs.[33]

Media career

[edit]

Whelan now works on the after-dinner circuit and does some punditry.

Whelan features regularly on RTÉ Sport's soccer programming, including its Premier League and UEFA Champions League coverage.[34] He is notable for his pronunciation of Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger's name. He contributed to RTÉ Sport's coverage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.[35][36] He was also part of RTÉ Sport's studio coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.[37] He was signed to be part of RTÉ Sport's coverage of UEFA Euro 2016, UEFA Euro 2020 and UEFA Euro 2024.[38][39][40]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[23]
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Other[a] Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Home Farm 1977–78 League of Ireland
1978–79
Liverpool 1979–80 First Division 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
1980–81 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 1 1
1981–82 32 10 3 0 8 3 4 1 — 47 14
1982–83 28 2 1 0 6 2 5 3 1 0 41 7
1983–84 23 4 1 0 5 3 5 2 — 34 9
1984–85 37 7 7 4 3 1 9 0 3 0 59 12
1985–86 39 10 7 1 7 3 — 4 0 57 14
1986–87 39 3 3 0 8 2 — 3 0 53 5
1987–88 28 1 2 0 3 0 — — 33 1
1988–89 37 4 5 0 6 0 — 3 0 51 4
1989–90 34 1 8 1 3 0 — 1 0 46 2
1990–91 14 1 1 0 1 0 — 1 0 17 1
1991–92 10 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 — 13 1
1992–93 Premier League 17 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 18 1
1993–94 23 1 0 0 0 0 — — 23 1
Southend United 1994–95 First Division 33 1 — 33 1
1995–96 1 0 — 1 0
Career total 396 47 41 7 50 14 23 6 17 0 527 74
  1. ^ Includes Charity Shield, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup, Super Cup ScreenSport and Mercantile Credit Centenary Trophy.

International

[edit]
Appearances and goals by national team and year[41]
National team Year Apps Goals
Republic of Ireland 1981 3 0
1982 1 0
1983 2 0
1984 3 0
1985 6 0
1986 2 0
1987 7 1
1988 6 1
1989 7 1
1990 4 0
1991 0 0
1992 2 0
1993 4 0
1994 4 0
1995 2 0
Total 53 3

Honours

[edit]

Liverpool

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Ronnie Whelan: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  2. ^ Ronnie Whelan at Redstat
  3. ^ "Register". Retrieved 30 August 2023 – via The Irish Times.
  4. ^ "Register". Retrieved 30 August 2023 – via The Irish Times.
  5. ^ a b Speed, Ste (12 October 2007). "Ex-Red: Ronnie Whelan". This is Anfield. Archived from the original on 18 March 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  6. ^ Production (3 April 2018). "On this day in 1981: Ronnie Whelan Debut". The Redmen TV. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  7. ^ "Games for the 1980-1981 season - LFChistory - Stats galore for Liverpool FC!". www.lfchistory.net. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  8. ^ a b Scragg, Steven (26 July 2022). "Whelan - Liverpool's underappreciated legend who beat the odds". This Is Anfield. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Games for the 1981-1982 season - LFChistory - Stats galore for Liverpool FC!". www.lfchistory.net. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  10. ^ "Ronnie Whelan". Liverpool FC. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  11. ^ "Appearances for the 1983-1984 season - LFChistory - Stats galore for Liverpool FC!". www.lfchistory.net. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  12. ^ "All time playing records, 1985–86". Liverweb. Archived from the original on 13 November 2007. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  13. ^ "Appearances for the 1985-1986 season - LFChistory - Stats galore for Liverpool FC!". www.lfchistory.net. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  14. ^ "Games for the 1986-1987 season - LFChistory - Stats galore for Liverpool FC!". www.lfchistory.net. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  15. ^ "On This Day In 1987, Liverpool Legend John Barnes Signed For £900,000". The Sportsman. 9 June 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  16. ^ Johnson, Clay (2 May 2020). "My favourite game: Liverpool v Wimbledon, 1988 FA Cup final". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  17. ^ a b "Games for the 1988-1989 season - LFChistory - Stats galore for Liverpool FC!". www.lfchistory.net. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  18. ^ Aspey, Jonathon (29 January 2020). "The tragedy and triumph of Liverpool's 1988/89 season". These Football Times. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  19. ^ "Games for the 1989-1990 season - LFChistory - Stats galore for Liverpool FC!". www.lfchistory.net. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  20. ^ a b c "Games for the 1990-1991 season - LFChistory - Stats galore for Liverpool FC!". www.lfchistory.net. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  21. ^ "Games for the 1992-1993 season - LFChistory - Stats galore for Liverpool FC!". www.lfchistory.net. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  22. ^ "Fixtures and Results 93/94". Liverpool FC. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  23. ^ a b "Liverpool career stats for Ronnie Whelan - LFChistory - Stats galore for Liverpool FC!".
  24. ^ "Roy Evans - 35 years of pure dedication - LFChistory - Stats galore for Liverpool FC!". www.lfchistory.net. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  25. ^ "Register". Retrieved 30 August 2023 – via The Irish Times.
  26. ^ "Ronald Whelan". eu-football.info. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  27. ^ a b c "Ronnie WHELAN - Rep. Ireland Caps 1981-1995 - Ireland". Sporting Heroes. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  28. ^ "Euro Moments: Ronnie Whelan shins it to win it against USSR". The Irish Times. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  29. ^ UEFA.com. "History: England 0-1 Republic of Ireland | UEFA EURO 1988". UEFA.com. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  30. ^ "Euro 88 – One of the finest of all Ireland's performances". The Irish Times. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  31. ^ "Football: Whelan walks out at Southend". 1997.
  32. ^ Olympiakos sack Whelan
  33. ^ "Ronnie Whelan - Coach Profile". www.playmakerstats.com. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  34. ^ Townsend, Michelle (22 June 2021). "RTÉ's Ronnie Whelan felt guilty for mistaking his daughter's mysterious illness". RSVP Live. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  35. ^ Black, Fergus (2 June 2010). "RTÉ hopes Ossie and squad will spur fans to back home team". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 June 2010.
  36. ^ O'Malley, Carl (2 June 2010). "RTÉ roll out big guns for their 56 live games". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2 June 2010.
  37. ^ "Move over Dunphy… RTÉ adds new faces to World Cup coverage". The Score. 6 June 2014. Archived from the original on 6 June 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  38. ^ "RTÉ Sport unveils Euro 2016 coverage". RTE Sport. 2 June 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  39. ^ "RTÉ announces details of UEFA EURO 2020 coverage – live and exclusive". about.rte.ie. 10 June 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  40. ^ "RTÉ announces details of UEFA EURO 2024 coverage – live and exclusive". RTÉ.ie. 13 June 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  41. ^ Ronnie Whelan at National-Football-Teams.com
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