Alfie Hale
Encyclopedia
Alfred "Alfie" Hale is a former Irish footballer and manager who played for several clubs in both the League of Ireland
and the English League, most notably, Waterford United, Aston Villa
, Doncaster Rovers
and Cork Celtic
. During his career Hale scored 153 goals in the League of Ireland and a further 66 with English League clubs. As an international, Hale also played for the Republic of Ireland
.
After retiring as a player Hale managed several teams in the League of Ireland, most notably, Cork Celtic
, Waterford United and Kilkenny City. In June 2003, Hale and such other notable Waterford
footballers as Davy Walsh
, Paddy Coad
, Peter Thomas
, Jim Beglin
and John O'Shea
were honoured by the city council and presented with a Waterford Crystal
vase.
, he became a central figure in a Waterford team that dominated the League of Ireland
. In 1971–72 Hale was player-manager of the side when they beat Cork Hibernians
in dramatic circumstances at Flower Lodge to claim his fifth league title in six seasons. In both 1971–72 and 1972–73 he also finished as joint top goalscorer in the league, scoring 22 and 20 goals respectively. He is also the 7th highest League of Ireland
goalscorer of all time with 153 league goals. He was awarded a benefit game in August 1971.
for a fee of £4,500. However, Hale failed to establish himself in the Villa first team and went onto make just 7 first team appearances, scoring 2 goals. Despite this Hale won his first international cap for the Republic of Ireland
while at Villa.
in July 1962 and made his debut for the club on August 18 in a 2–0 defeat to Brentford
in the English Fourth Division
. In January 1964 he scored four goals in a single game as he helped Rovers to a record league win when they beat Darlington
10–0. In three seasons with Rovers, Hale made 119 league appearances and scored 42 goals. He also made 7 appearances for Rovers in the League Cup
and 9 in the FA Cup
, scoring 2 further goals.
. In 1957 Hale had won the first of two caps at schoolboy level against West Germany. He also represented the Republic of Ireland at amateur level before making his senior international debut on April 8, 1962 in a 3–2 home defeat against Austria
. Hale went onto score twice for the Republic of Ireland. Both goals came in 1968 and both were late equalisers which earned the Republic a 2–2 draw on each occasion. The first came on May 15 against Poland
at Dalymount Park
. It was set up by Eamon Dunphy
, who in the 89th minute, beat four defenders before crossing to Hale, a late substitute, who then headed it past the goalkeeper. His second goal came on November 11 in another home game against Austria
, when in the 86th minute, Hale finished off the rebound from a Johnny Giles
shot that had hit the post. He made his last appearance for the Republic of Ireland on October 21, 1973 in a 1–0 home win against Poland
.
final in 1986. He returned to manage the club again between 1991 and 1993 and helped them achieve promotion from the First Division in 1992. In 2005 he briefly returned to Waterford United once again, this time acting as special advisor.
Aside from Waterford, Hale has also coached several other teams in the League of Ireland. He was appointed manager of Thurles Town in May 1981 and as manager of Cobh Ramblers
, Hale gave Roy Keane
his debut in 1990. Between 1995 and 1999 he was manager of Kilkenny City
and in 1997, with a team which included the likes of Brendan Rea, Paul Cashin and Pascal Keane, he guided them to the First Division title. After leaving Kilkenny, Hale remained active in junior football working with Waterford Crystal F.C. and Tramore F.C, winning the first league in 50 years with Tramore in 2000/01.
clubs, Hale also established himself as a prominent businessman in the Waterford
area. In 1978 he opened a sports shop, currently trading under the name Alfie Hale’s Intersport
and located at Arundal Square. He also owns a chain of pubs including Alfie Hale’s Bar in Ballybricken and Alfie Hale’s Sports Bar on Lombard Street.
In December 2008 he settled with the Revenue Commissioners for over €100,000 http://www.independent.ie/national-news/former-ireland-player-to-pay-revenue-over-8364100000-1561089.html.
Kilkenny City
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
and the English League, most notably, Waterford United, Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
, Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
and Cork Celtic
Cork Celtic F.C.
Cork Celtic F.C. were a Irish football club based in Cork. They played in the League of Ireland between 1959 and 1979 and played their home games at Turners Cross. The club had previously played in the league as Evergreen United...
. During his career Hale scored 153 goals in the League of Ireland and a further 66 with English League clubs. As an international, Hale also played for the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
.
After retiring as a player Hale managed several teams in the League of Ireland, most notably, Cork Celtic
Cork Celtic F.C.
Cork Celtic F.C. were a Irish football club based in Cork. They played in the League of Ireland between 1959 and 1979 and played their home games at Turners Cross. The club had previously played in the league as Evergreen United...
, Waterford United and Kilkenny City. In June 2003, Hale and such other notable Waterford
Waterford
Waterford is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city and its immediate hinterland...
footballers as Davy Walsh
Davy Walsh
David Joseph Walsh , commonly referred to as Davy Walsh or Dave Walsh, is a former Irish footballer who played as a centre forward for, among others, Linfield, West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa. Walsh was a dual international and played for both Ireland teams – the FAI XI and the IFA XI...
, Paddy Coad
Paddy Coad
Paddy Coad is a former Irish football player and manager. He played as a forward for Waterford United, Glenavon, Shamrock Rovers and Ireland. Although known, primarily, as a maker of goals, Coad scored 126 goals in the League of Ireland and a further 41 in the FAI Cup. In 1946-47 he was top...
, Peter Thomas
Peter Thomas (footballer)
Peter Thomas was a football goalkeeper who played in England, Ireland and the United States. He also earned two caps with the Republic of Ireland.-Professional:...
, Jim Beglin
Jim Beglin
James Martin "Jim" Beglin is a former Irish professional footballer.- Life and career :Beglin played schoolboy football in his native city with Bolton and Waterford Bohs before joining Shamrock Rovers in 1980...
and John O'Shea
John O'Shea
John O'Shea can refer to:*John O'Shea, Irish footballer with Sunderland*John O'Shea , New Zealand film director*John O'Shea *John O'Shea , Wales international rugby union footballer*John O'Shea...
were honoured by the city council and presented with a Waterford Crystal
Waterford Crystal
Waterford Crystal is a trademark brand of crystal glassware, previously produced in Waterford, Ireland, though the factory there was shut down after the receivership of Waterford Wedgwood plc in early 2009...
vase.
Waterford
Hale spent much of his playing and coaching career at Waterford United. His father three brothers and two uncles had all played for the club in the 1930s. In 1930 the trio even formed an all-Hale half-back line in a league game at home to Bohemians. Hale junior made his debut for the club in 1957 at the age of 17. He left Waterford in 1960 but after seven seasons in the English League, he returned in 1966. Then together with Johnny MatthewsJohnny Matthews
Johnny Matthews is a former English footballer and manager.Matthews started his career playing with his home club Coventry City F.C.....
, he became a central figure in a Waterford team that dominated the League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
. In 1971–72 Hale was player-manager of the side when they beat Cork Hibernians
Cork Hibernians F.C.
Cork Hibernians F.C. were an Irish football club based in Cork. They played in the League of Ireland between 1957 and 1976 and played their home games at Flower Lodge. In 1971, they were League of Ireland champions.-History:...
in dramatic circumstances at Flower Lodge to claim his fifth league title in six seasons. In both 1971–72 and 1972–73 he also finished as joint top goalscorer in the league, scoring 22 and 20 goals respectively. He is also the 7th highest League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
goalscorer of all time with 153 league goals. He was awarded a benefit game in August 1971.
Aston Villa
In June 1960, aged 19, Hale was sold by Waterford United to Aston VillaAston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
for a fee of £4,500. However, Hale failed to establish himself in the Villa first team and went onto make just 7 first team appearances, scoring 2 goals. Despite this Hale won his first international cap for the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
while at Villa.
Doncaster Rovers
Hale signed for Doncaster RoversDoncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
in July 1962 and made his debut for the club on August 18 in a 2–0 defeat to Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
in the English Fourth Division
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
. In January 1964 he scored four goals in a single game as he helped Rovers to a record league win when they beat Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
10–0. In three seasons with Rovers, Hale made 119 league appearances and scored 42 goals. He also made 7 appearances for Rovers in the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
and 9 in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
, scoring 2 further goals.
Republic of Ireland international
Between 1962 and 1973, Hale made 14 appearances and scored 2 goals for the Republic of IrelandRepublic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
. In 1957 Hale had won the first of two caps at schoolboy level against West Germany. He also represented the Republic of Ireland at amateur level before making his senior international debut on April 8, 1962 in a 3–2 home defeat against Austria
Austria national football team
The Austria national football team is the association football team that represents the country of Austria in international competition and is controlled by the Austrian Football Association ....
. Hale went onto score twice for the Republic of Ireland. Both goals came in 1968 and both were late equalisers which earned the Republic a 2–2 draw on each occasion. The first came on May 15 against Poland
Poland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
at Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park is an Irish football stadium situated on Dublin's Northside. It is the home of Bohemian F.C., who have played there since the early 20th century. Affectionately known as 'Dalyer' by fans, it was also historically the "home of Irish football" holding Irish internationals and FAI Cup...
. It was set up by Eamon Dunphy
Eamon Dunphy
Eamon Martin Dunphy is an Irish media personality, radio and television presenter, author, sports pundit, as well as a former professional football player. He is best known as a soccer analyst on Raidió Teilifís Éireann 's coverage of the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League. He was paid...
, who in the 89th minute, beat four defenders before crossing to Hale, a late substitute, who then headed it past the goalkeeper. His second goal came on November 11 in another home game against Austria
Austria national football team
The Austria national football team is the association football team that represents the country of Austria in international competition and is controlled by the Austrian Football Association ....
, when in the 86th minute, Hale finished off the rebound from a Johnny Giles
Johnny Giles
Michael John "Johnny" Giles is a former association footballer and manager best remembered for his time as a midfielder with Leeds United in the 1960s and 1970s...
shot that had hit the post. He made his last appearance for the Republic of Ireland on October 21, 1973 in a 1–0 home win against Poland
Poland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
.
Coaching career
As a manager Hale would return to Waterford United for two further spells. During the first of these, between 1982 until 1986, he guided the club to victory in the League of Ireland Cup in 1985 and to the FAI CupFAI Cup
The Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
final in 1986. He returned to manage the club again between 1991 and 1993 and helped them achieve promotion from the First Division in 1992. In 2005 he briefly returned to Waterford United once again, this time acting as special advisor.
Aside from Waterford, Hale has also coached several other teams in the League of Ireland. He was appointed manager of Thurles Town in May 1981 and as manager of Cobh Ramblers
Cobh Ramblers F.C.
Cobh Ramblers Football Club . is an Irish football club playing in the A Championship, the third tier of Irish football. The club, founded in 1922 and elected to the league in 1985, hails from Cobh, County Cork and play their home matches at St. Colman's Park...
, Hale gave Roy Keane
Roy Keane
Roy Maurice Keane is an Irish former footballer and manager. In his 18-year playing career, he played for Cobh Ramblers in the League of Ireland, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, before ending his career at Celtic in Scotland....
his debut in 1990. Between 1995 and 1999 he was manager of Kilkenny City
Kilkenny City A.F.C.
Kilkenny City A.F.C. was an Irish football club. The club played in the First Division of the League of Ireland until 18 January 2008 when they announced that they resigned their position in the league citing “lack of finance, poor results and paltry attendances”.The club hails from Kilkenny and...
and in 1997, with a team which included the likes of Brendan Rea, Paul Cashin and Pascal Keane, he guided them to the First Division title. After leaving Kilkenny, Hale remained active in junior football working with Waterford Crystal F.C. and Tramore F.C, winning the first league in 50 years with Tramore in 2000/01.
Businessman
At the same time as managing various League of IrelandLeague of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
clubs, Hale also established himself as a prominent businessman in the Waterford
Waterford
Waterford is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city and its immediate hinterland...
area. In 1978 he opened a sports shop, currently trading under the name Alfie Hale’s Intersport
Intersport
The Intersport Group is an international sporting goods retailer. IIC-Intersport International Corporation is its purchasing division.The headquarters are located in the capital of Switzerland, Bern....
and located at Arundal Square. He also owns a chain of pubs including Alfie Hale’s Bar in Ballybricken and Alfie Hale’s Sports Bar on Lombard Street.
In December 2008 he settled with the Revenue Commissioners for over €100,000 http://www.independent.ie/national-news/former-ireland-player-to-pay-revenue-over-8364100000-1561089.html.
Player
Waterford- League of IrelandLeague of IrelandThe League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
- 1967–68, 1968–69, 1969–70, 1971–72, 1972–73: 5
- League of Ireland ShieldLeague of Ireland ShieldThe League of Ireland Shield is a defunct Irish football tournament which was introduced when the League of Ireland started in 1921 and ran uninterrupted until 1972...
- 1968–69: 1
- Top Four CupTop Four CupTop Four Cup was a football competition played between the top four clubs in the League of Ireland from 1956 to 1974.-Final Results:1955/56 - Shamrock Rovers F.C. 1 - 0 Waterford F.C.1956/57 - Evergreen United 2 - 1 Drumcondra F.C....
- 1967–68, 1968–69, 1969–70, 1970–71, 1972–73: 5
- Munster Senior Cup
- 1965–66, 1966–67: 2
- SWAI Personality of the Year
- 1972/73
Player manager
Cork CelticCork Celtic F.C.
Cork Celtic F.C. were a Irish football club based in Cork. They played in the League of Ireland between 1959 and 1979 and played their home games at Turners Cross. The club had previously played in the league as Evergreen United...
- League of IrelandLeague of IrelandThe League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
- 1973–74: 1
Manager
Waterford- League of Ireland Cup
- 1984–85: 1
- Munster Senior Cup
- 1985–86: 1
Kilkenny City
- League of Ireland First Division
- 1996–97: 1
Sources
- Who’s Who Of Aston Villa (2004): Tony Matthews http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1840188219
- The Boys In Green – The FAI International Story (1997): Sean Ryan http://www.amazon.ca/dp/1851589392