Liam O'Kane
Encyclopedia
William O'Kane (born in Derry
, Northern Ireland
) is a former Northern Irish footballer.
O'Kane played as a defender and began his career with Derry City FC. He signed for Nottingham Forest in November 1968 and made his debut on 25 January 1969 against Norwich City F.C.
Initially, he succeeded Terry Hennessey
at centre back, but in 1971 he moved to right back and stayed there for the rest of his career. His best period was 1973-76, on his return from a broken leg, but injuries were never far away and they finally finished him as a player in the 1975-76 season, when he was still only 28.
During his career, and despite being troubled persistently by injuries, he made 20 international appearance for Northern Ireland
.
He moved onto the coaching staff at Forest after his playing days and was the only man to have survived throughout the Brian Clough
years until Joe Kinnear
arrived at the club. O'Kane finally left his position at the club in early 2005 after a 36-year spell.
Derry
Derry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning "oak-wood of Colmcille"...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
) is a former Northern Irish footballer.
O'Kane played as a defender and began his career with Derry City FC. He signed for Nottingham Forest in November 1968 and made his debut on 25 January 1969 against Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
Initially, he succeeded Terry Hennessey
Terry Hennessey
William Terrence "Terry" Hennessey is a Welsh former international footballer who gained 39 caps for Wales. He played as a defender and made 400 Football League appearances in the 1960s and 1970s with Birmingham City, Nottingham Forest and Derby County.After his playing career, he managed a number...
at centre back, but in 1971 he moved to right back and stayed there for the rest of his career. His best period was 1973-76, on his return from a broken leg, but injuries were never far away and they finally finished him as a player in the 1975-76 season, when he was still only 28.
During his career, and despite being troubled persistently by injuries, he made 20 international appearance for Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
.
He moved onto the coaching staff at Forest after his playing days and was the only man to have survived throughout the Brian Clough
Brian Clough
Brian Howard Clough, OBE was an English footballer and football manager. He is most notable for his success with Derby County and Nottingham Forest. His achievement of winning back-to-back European Cups with Nottingham Forest, a traditionally moderate provincial English club, is considered to be...
years until Joe Kinnear
Joe Kinnear
Joseph Patrick "Joe" Kinnear is an Irish football manager and former player. He was most recently the manager of Newcastle United....
arrived at the club. O'Kane finally left his position at the club in early 2005 after a 36-year spell.