Joe Wickham
Encyclopedia
Joe Wickham was the General Secretary of the Football Association of Ireland
from the 1930s until his death in 1968 at the age of 78. He took over from Jack Ryder in 1936, having previously worked as a supervisor in the coach-building workshop in the Broadstone depot of the Midland Great Western Railway
. At the time, he had been the longest-serving secretary of any of the world's national soccer organisations.
, Dublin, in 1890, and educated at the local St Peter's National School, and the Congregation of Christian Brothers
' O'Connell Schools, he started life as an apprentice with the Freeman's Journal
, before taking a job in the railway carriage and wagon works at the Broadstone, until taking over from Jack Ryder in the FAI.
He had been a founder member of Midland Athletic, and had figured in the losing side of the 1920 Leinster Senior Cup Final against St. James's Gate
. He later became the club secretary before holding the post of honorary treasurer and secretary of Bohemians
.
He received much attention for his decision not to cancel the soccer match between the Irish team and Yugoslavia in October 1955, under pressure from the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, John Charles McQuaid
, on the premise that Ireland had to play its role in resisting Communism. Both Radio Éireann
and the Army Band made themselves unavailable, but this did not deter a crowd of 21,400 supporters arriving at Dalymount Park
and passing the picket of Legion of Mary members who carried anti-Communist placards. Ireland eventually lost the match 4-1, and Wickham was denounced from the pulpit in his parish church in Larkhill (for insisting the match be played, not for the result).
He presided over the formation of the Wexford and District League in April 1960 as well as the expansion of the Desmond League, which comprised clubs from Limerick and Kerry, in October 1966.
In 1964, he won the Irish Soccer Writers' Association award for their Personality of the Year. It had been the first time in four years the award had been given to a legislator. It had been given on the back of a highly successful year for the Irish team, which reached the last 8 of a European Nations' Cup Tournament as well as a successful continental tour.
He died on 30 October 1968 at an international match between Ireland and Poland in Chorzów
, Katowice
, after suffering a heart attack at half-time.
Football Association of Ireland
The Football Association of Ireland is the governing body for the sport of association football in the Republic of Ireland. It should not to be confused with the Irish Football Association , which is the organising body for the sport in Northern Ireland.For the full history, statistics and records...
from the 1930s until his death in 1968 at the age of 78. He took over from Jack Ryder in 1936, having previously worked as a supervisor in the coach-building workshop in the Broadstone depot of the Midland Great Western Railway
Midland Great Western Railway
The Midland Great Western Railway was the third largest Irish gauge railway company in Ireland. It was incorporated in 1845 and absorbed into the Great Southern Railway in 1924. It served part of Leinster, County Cavan in Ulster and much of Connaught...
. At the time, he had been the longest-serving secretary of any of the world's national soccer organisations.
Life and career
Born in PhibsboroPhibsboro
Phibsborough , often formerly shortened to Phibsboro and later Phibsboro , is a district of Dublin in Ireland.-Location:Phibsboro' is located in the Dublin 7 postal district on the Northside of the city. The area is very close to the city centre, about two kilometres from the River Liffey which...
, Dublin, in 1890, and educated at the local St Peter's National School, and the Congregation of Christian Brothers
Congregation of Christian Brothers
The Congregation of Christian Brothers is a worldwide religious community within the Catholic Church, founded by Blessed Edmund Rice. The Christian Brothers, as they are commonly known, chiefly work for the evangelisation and education of youth, but are involved in many ministries, especially with...
' O'Connell Schools, he started life as an apprentice with the Freeman's Journal
Freeman's Journal
The Freeman's Journal was the oldest nationalist newspaper in Ireland. It was founded in 1763 by Charles Lucas and was identified with radical 18th century Protestant patriot politicians Henry Grattan and Henry Flood...
, before taking a job in the railway carriage and wagon works at the Broadstone, until taking over from Jack Ryder in the FAI.
He had been a founder member of Midland Athletic, and had figured in the losing side of the 1920 Leinster Senior Cup Final against St. James's Gate
St. James's Gate
St. James's Gate, located off the south quays of Dublin, on James Street, was the western entrance to the city during the Middle Ages. During this time it was the traditional starting point for the Dublin pilgrimage Camino to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Now central to a industrial area, St...
. He later became the club secretary before holding the post of honorary treasurer and secretary of Bohemians
Bohemian F.C.
Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11...
.
He received much attention for his decision not to cancel the soccer match between the Irish team and Yugoslavia in October 1955, under pressure from the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, John Charles McQuaid
John Charles McQuaid
John Charles McQuaid, C.S.Sp. was the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland between December 1940 and February 1972.- Early life 1895-1914:...
, on the premise that Ireland had to play its role in resisting Communism. Both Radio Éireann
RTÉ Radio 1
RTÉ Radio 1 is the principal radio channel of Irish public-service broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann and is the direct descendant of Dublin radio station 2RN, which began broadcasting on a regular basis on 1 January 1926...
and the Army Band made themselves unavailable, but this did not deter a crowd of 21,400 supporters arriving 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...
and passing the picket of Legion of Mary members who carried anti-Communist placards. Ireland eventually lost the match 4-1, and Wickham was denounced from the pulpit in his parish church in Larkhill (for insisting the match be played, not for the result).
He presided over the formation of the Wexford and District League in April 1960 as well as the expansion of the Desmond League, which comprised clubs from Limerick and Kerry, in October 1966.
In 1964, he won the Irish Soccer Writers' Association award for their Personality of the Year. It had been the first time in four years the award had been given to a legislator. It had been given on the back of a highly successful year for the Irish team, which reached the last 8 of a European Nations' Cup Tournament as well as a successful continental tour.
He died on 30 October 1968 at an international match between Ireland and Poland in Chorzów
Chorzów
Chorzów is a city in Silesia in southern Poland, near Katowice. Chorzów is one of the central districts of the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union - a metropolis with a population of 2 million...
, Katowice
Katowice
Katowice is a city in Silesia in southern Poland, on the Kłodnica and Rawa rivers . Katowice is located in the Silesian Highlands, about north of the Silesian Beskids and about southeast of the Sudetes Mountains.It is the central district of the Upper Silesian Metropolis, with a population of 2...
, after suffering a heart attack at half-time.