Mick Kearns
Encyclopedia
Michael "Mick" Kearns is a former professional footballer and Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper
, who is currently the Community Director at Walsall Football Club
.
Born in Banbury, Oxfordshire, he qualified to play for the Republic of Ireland
through his Irish ancestry and went on to represent his country 19 times. A goalkeeper
, his international debut at the age of 19 was on 6 May 1970 as a substitute in a 2–1 defeat against Poland
. He made his 18th and final international appearance on 21 November 1979 in a 1–0 defeat against Northern Ireland
.
During his club career Mick played for Oxford United from 1969 to 1972 before joining Walsall
where he made 249 appearances from 1973 to 1979. After a spell with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Mick returned to Walsall to close out his career, making a further 26 appearances between 1982 and 1985.
Mick's younger brother Ollie Kearns
was also a successful professional footballer, but as a goal scorer not keeper. He enjoyed a high-scoring League career through the 70s and 80s with Reading, Walsall, Hereford and Wrexham; then scored the newly founded Rushden & Diamonds first-ever goal. Both still live local to their home town of Banbury.
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
, who is currently the Community Director at Walsall Football Club
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
.
Born in Banbury, Oxfordshire, he qualified to play 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....
through his Irish ancestry and went on to represent his country 19 times. A goalkeeper
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
, his international debut at the age of 19 was on 6 May 1970 as a substitute in a 2–1 defeat 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...
. He made his 18th and final international appearance on 21 November 1979 in a 1–0 defeat against 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...
.
During his club career Mick played for Oxford United from 1969 to 1972 before joining Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
where he made 249 appearances from 1973 to 1979. After a spell with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Mick returned to Walsall to close out his career, making a further 26 appearances between 1982 and 1985.
Mick's younger brother Ollie Kearns
Ollie Kearns
Oliver Anthony "Ollie" Kearns is an English former footballer who played in the Football League for Reading, Oxford United, Walsall, Hereford United and Wrexham during the 1970s and 1980s...
was also a successful professional footballer, but as a goal scorer not keeper. He enjoyed a high-scoring League career through the 70s and 80s with Reading, Walsall, Hereford and Wrexham; then scored the newly founded Rushden & Diamonds first-ever goal. Both still live local to their home town of Banbury.