Dave Langan
Encyclopedia
David Francis "Dave" Langan (born 15 February 1957) is an Irish
former professional football
er who played as a right-back
for the Republic of Ireland
, for whom he won 26 caps. Langan won his first cap against Turkey in April 1978 and was a regular in the squad until he sustained a knee injury in a 3–2 victory over France.
For four years he was in the international wilderness until his move to Oxford regenerated the form that earned him his first caps. He remained an ever present throughout the course of the qualifying campaign for Euro '88 in which he started four games and was substitute for four.
Unfortunately, despite the rather somewhat public outcry, Langan was dropped for the adventure in the summer of '88 in Germany and there ended his international career.
Born in Dublin, Langan played youth football with the Cherry Orchard
club before going to England to join Derby County
, for whom he made his debut in 1977 as a 19-year-old and went on to make over 150 senior appearances. Jim Smith
then paid a club record £350,000 to take him to Birmingham City
, for whom he played over 100 games, but when his career was disrupted by injury such that he missed a full 18 months, he was released by manager Ron Saunders
. Jim Smith, by then managing Oxford United
, signed him and he regained his fitness and his international place. He played 136 games for Oxford, winning the Second Division
championship in 1984–85
and the League Cup
the following year. He later played for A.F.C. Bournemouth
and Peterborough United
, but his knee and back injuries put an early end to his career. He is now registered disabled.
On 14 June 1999, a benefit night was held in Ballyfermot
for Dave in which his old team mate Paul McGrath
showed up. http://web.archive.org/web/20000306033112/www.soccercentral.ie/david_langan/home.htm.
In late 2006, an interview with Langan entitled "I Was Just Unlucky" hit the press. This article inspired Ireland fans, many remembering that Langan "would have run through a wall for Ireland," to start campaigning to get Langan a testimonial. This campaign picked up speed in early 2008 when some of the people at its forefront went on RTE
radio and started an online petition. This petition had over 1,000 signatures at the time this was written.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
former professional football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
er who played as a right-back
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
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....
, for whom he won 26 caps. Langan won his first cap against Turkey in April 1978 and was a regular in the squad until he sustained a knee injury in a 3–2 victory over France.
For four years he was in the international wilderness until his move to Oxford regenerated the form that earned him his first caps. He remained an ever present throughout the course of the qualifying campaign for Euro '88 in which he started four games and was substitute for four.
Unfortunately, despite the rather somewhat public outcry, Langan was dropped for the adventure in the summer of '88 in Germany and there ended his international career.
Born in Dublin, Langan played youth football with the Cherry Orchard
Cherry Orchard F.C.
Cherry Orchard Football Club is an Irish football club founded in 1957 known locally as "the Orchard." The club is one of the biggest producers of talent in Ireland. They are linked with Manchester City. Their main rival is Crumlin United, for whom Robbie Keane played at schoolboy level. The club...
club before going to England to join Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
, for whom he made his debut in 1977 as a 19-year-old and went on to make over 150 senior appearances. Jim Smith
Jim Smith (footballer)
James Michael "Jim" Smith is a retired English footballer and manager. As a player, he made 249 appearances in the Fourth Division of The Football League, representing Aldershot, Halifax Town, Lincoln City and Colchester United, and played for three-and-a-half years for Boston United of the...
then paid a club record £350,000 to take him to Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
, for whom he played over 100 games, but when his career was disrupted by injury such that he missed a full 18 months, he was released by manager Ron Saunders
Ron Saunders
Ron Saunders is a retired English football player and former successful manager. He remains the only manager to have taken charge of Aston Villa, Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion, normally bitter rivals....
. Jim Smith, by then managing Oxford United
Oxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
, signed him and he regained his fitness and his international place. He played 136 games for Oxford, winning the Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
championship in 1984–85
1984-85 in English football
The 1984–85 season was the 105th season of competitive football in England.-Bradford City disaster:56 spectators died and more than 200 were injured when a fire ripped through the Main Stand at Valley Parade during Bradford City's Third Division fixture with Lincoln City on 11 May...
and 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...
the following year. He later played for A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
and Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
, but his knee and back injuries put an early end to his career. He is now registered disabled.
On 14 June 1999, a benefit night was held in Ballyfermot
Ballyfermot
Ballyfermot is a suburb in the city of Dublin.Celebrities such as the famous Furey Brothers and the brilliant Keenan family have all resided in Ballyfermot.Ireland, located 7 kilometres due west from the city centre, and to the south of the Phoenix Park...
for Dave in which his old team mate Paul McGrath
Paul McGrath (footballer)
Paul McGrath is a retired Irish footballer, who played as a defender. McGrath is widely recognised as one of the greatest players to have ever come out of Ireland....
showed up. http://web.archive.org/web/20000306033112/www.soccercentral.ie/david_langan/home.htm.
In late 2006, an interview with Langan entitled "I Was Just Unlucky" hit the press. This article inspired Ireland fans, many remembering that Langan "would have run through a wall for Ireland," to start campaigning to get Langan a testimonial. This campaign picked up speed in early 2008 when some of the people at its forefront went on RTE
RTE
RTÉ is the abbreviation for Raidió Teilifís Éireann, the public broadcasting service of the Republic of Ireland.RTE may also refer to:* Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, 25th Prime Minister of Turkey...
radio and started an online petition. This petition had over 1,000 signatures at the time this was written.