Pascal Vaudequin
Encyclopedia
Pascal Vaudequin is a former French
footballer (although he has yet to make his debut for France
) who spent the most part of his career playing in the League of Ireland
after meeting his wife there and subsequently, he fell in love with her and the north-western region. He is currently working as a youth development officer with numerous associations around Northern Ireland
, in particular, Trojans F.C.
and Johann Cruijff during the 1974 FIFA World Cup
. He began his career with USL Dunkerque
before moving to Ireland
in the Summer of 1987 to sign for Derry City
. He made his League of Ireland
debut for the Candystripes on the 13th of September against Bray Wanderers. Vaudequin was pivotal in the hugely successful treble winning Derry City team of 1989. He later left in 1991, returning to France
to play for Orléans Rodez
before re-signing for Derry in 1993 where he stayed for a further three seasons. During his two spells at Derry he won 1 League of Ireland
title, 2 FAI Cup
s and 4 League Cups in what proved to be the Candystripes' most successful era. Whilst playing for Derry, Vaudequin was referred to as "Paddy Quinn" or "Paddy Vandequin" by supporters, who found difficulty in pronouncing his name.
winners medal in 1997. Pascal then signed for Finn Harps F.C.
getting to another FAI Cup final in 1999. He then moved to Bohemians, making his debut against Sligo Rovers in January 2000. However, this move was short-lived and Vaudequin promptly signed for Shamrock Rovers F.C.
spending the 2000-01 and the 2001/02 seasons with them.
. Since gaining the license, Vaudequin has been linked with a number of top-flight Irish jobs.
After a period as assistant manager at Finn Harps F.C.
, Vaudequin began coaching at Institute. He was later offered the role of manager of Institute F.C.
in January 2005 after the departure of Paul Hegarty
. He accepted this offer and signed a number of promising French players, but his managerial reign lasted a mere ten months. After leaving the Riverside club, he decided to aid youth development and volunteered as a youth coach for Derry
based Trojans F.C.
Vaudequin had also been linked with the vacant post at Finn Harps F.C.
after Anthony Gorman
left the club at the end of the 2006 league campaign. However, he did not take the job and his former team-mate, Paul Hegarty
, was soon appointed manager. In March 2007, Vaudequin was also strongly linked with the job of Sligo Rovers F.C.
shirt, however, on many occasions he was subject to abuse from opposing fans. The most intolerable abuse he suffered was from the Coleraine F.C.
fans, who consider Derry City a rival team. He was labelled "The Frog" in reference to his nationality. However, he maintained his nerve and played through the criticism. Sometimes, if he was ever taking a throw-in close to the opposing fans who were verbally abusing him, he would even coolly turn his head to them back over either shoulder and retort with a dauntlessly resolute grin and a mocking jibe of "rosbif" before launching a dangerous throw into the box. (Coleraine has a significant population descended from Anglo planter stock.) Vaudequin's team mates have applauded his integrity and he was quoted as being "a gentleman, both on and off the pitch" by the Derry Journal
. He was also the centre of a racial abuse controversy as manager of Institute, as Ballymena United F.C.
fans were believed to direct abuse toward the French man.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
footballer (although he has yet to make his debut for France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
) who spent the most part of his career playing in 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...
after meeting his wife there and subsequently, he fell in love with her and the north-western region. He is currently working as a youth development officer with numerous associations around 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...
, in particular, Trojans F.C.
Trojans F.C.
Trojans Football Club is a football club based in Derry, Northern Ireland, currently playing in the Northern Ireland Intermediate League. The club was founded in 1938 by Edmund Carton and is based in the Creggan area of Derry...
Early Career and Derry City
Vaudequin began playing football as a young boy after being inspired by the Dutch national football teamNetherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
and Johann Cruijff during the 1974 FIFA World Cup
1974 FIFA World Cup
The 1974 FIFA World Cup, the tenth staging of the World Cup, was held in West Germany from 13 June to 7 July. The tournament marked the first time that the current trophy, the FIFA World Cup Trophy, created by the Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga, was awarded...
. He began his career with USL Dunkerque
USL Dunkerque
USL Dunkerque is a French football club based in the commune of Dunkirk.They currently play in the Championnat de France Amateurs Group A. The club's nickname is The Doves. Their kit colours are white and blue. They play their home matches at the Stade Tribut in Dunkirk.-History:The club was...
before moving to Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
in the Summer of 1987 to sign for Derry City
Derry City F.C.
Derry City Football Club is a professional football club based in Derry, Northern Ireland. It plays in the League of Ireland Premier Division...
. He made his 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...
debut for the Candystripes on the 13th of September against Bray Wanderers. Vaudequin was pivotal in the hugely successful treble winning Derry City team of 1989. He later left in 1991, returning to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
to play for Orléans Rodez
US Orléans
Union Sportive Orléanaise Loiret Football is a French association football club based in Orléans. The club was founded in 1920 and currently play in the Championnat National, the third division of French football, having achieved promotion from the Championnat de France amateur in the 2009–10...
before re-signing for Derry in 1993 where he stayed for a further three seasons. During his two spells at Derry he won 1 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...
title, 2 FAI Cup
FAI 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...
s and 4 League Cups in what proved to be the Candystripes' most successful era. Whilst playing for Derry, Vaudequin was referred to as "Paddy Quinn" or "Paddy Vandequin" by supporters, who found difficulty in pronouncing his name.
Post-Derry City
Vaudequin left Derry City in 1997 and signed with the relatively successful Shelbourne. During his short spell with the Dublin side, he won an 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...
winners medal in 1997. Pascal then signed for Finn Harps F.C.
Finn Harps F.C.
Finn Harps Football Club are a professional Irish football club playing in the First Division of the League of Ireland. The club was founded in 1954 and elected to the league in 1969. They hail from Ballybofey, County Donegal and play their home matches at Finn Park. The club's colours are blue...
getting to another FAI Cup final in 1999. He then moved to Bohemians, making his debut against Sligo Rovers in January 2000. However, this move was short-lived and Vaudequin promptly signed for Shamrock Rovers F.C.
Shamrock Rovers F.C.
Shamrock Rovers Football Club are a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the most successful club in Irish football history. The club have won the League of Ireland title a record 17 times and the FAI Cup a record 24...
spending the 2000-01 and the 2001/02 seasons with them.
Managerial and Coaching
After holding various coaching positions around Ireland, Vaudequin was determined to become an official coach and returned home to France, where he completed his UEFA Pro LicenseUEFA Pro License
The UEFA Pro Licence is a coaching licence from UEFA . The UEFA Pro Licence is the final coaching qualification available, and follows the completion of the UEFA 'B' and 'A' Licences....
. Since gaining the license, Vaudequin has been linked with a number of top-flight Irish jobs.
Return to the North-West
Upon retirement, Vaudequin returned to the North-West and assumed the role of assistant manager at Finn HarpsFinn Harps F.C.
Finn Harps Football Club are a professional Irish football club playing in the First Division of the League of Ireland. The club was founded in 1954 and elected to the league in 1969. They hail from Ballybofey, County Donegal and play their home matches at Finn Park. The club's colours are blue...
After a period as assistant manager at Finn Harps F.C.
Finn Harps F.C.
Finn Harps Football Club are a professional Irish football club playing in the First Division of the League of Ireland. The club was founded in 1954 and elected to the league in 1969. They hail from Ballybofey, County Donegal and play their home matches at Finn Park. The club's colours are blue...
, Vaudequin began coaching at Institute. He was later offered the role of manager of Institute F.C.
Institute F.C.
Institute F.C. is a Northern Irish intermediate football club who play in IFA Championship 1.The club, founded in 1905, are based in the Drumahoe area of Derry and play their home matches at the Riverside Stadium in the YMCA Grounds...
in January 2005 after the departure of Paul Hegarty
Paul Hegarty (Irish footballer)
Paul Hegarty is a past Irish footballer and the current manager of League of Ireland First Division club Finn Harps.-Playing career:...
. He accepted this offer and signed a number of promising French players, but his managerial reign lasted a mere ten months. After leaving the Riverside club, he decided to aid youth development and volunteered as a youth coach for Derry
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"...
based Trojans F.C.
Trojans F.C.
Trojans Football Club is a football club based in Derry, Northern Ireland, currently playing in the Northern Ireland Intermediate League. The club was founded in 1938 by Edmund Carton and is based in the Creggan area of Derry...
Vaudequin had also been linked with the vacant post at Finn Harps F.C.
Finn Harps F.C.
Finn Harps Football Club are a professional Irish football club playing in the First Division of the League of Ireland. The club was founded in 1954 and elected to the league in 1969. They hail from Ballybofey, County Donegal and play their home matches at Finn Park. The club's colours are blue...
after Anthony Gorman
Anthony Gorman
Anthony "Tony" Gorman is the former player-manager of Finn Harps F.C. and former assistant manager of Derry City F.C. He is currently playing for his hometown club Letterkenny Rovers in the Ulster Senior League.-Player:...
left the club at the end of the 2006 league campaign. However, he did not take the job and his former team-mate, Paul Hegarty
Paul Hegarty (Irish footballer)
Paul Hegarty is a past Irish footballer and the current manager of League of Ireland First Division club Finn Harps.-Playing career:...
, was soon appointed manager. In March 2007, Vaudequin was also strongly linked with the job of Sligo Rovers F.C.
Sligo Rovers F.C.
Sligo Rovers Football Club is a professional Irish football club playing in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. The club was founded in 1928 and have been in the League of Ireland since 1934. The club is a co-operative venture, owned by the people of Sligo. Sligo Rovers have played at...
Irish Football Association
He is currently coaching for the Irish Football Association as under 17 international assistant manager and also in charge of the youth development in the county Antrim for the elite players. .Controversy
Vaudequin is fondly remembered for his solid performances in a DerryDerry City F.C.
Derry City Football Club is a professional football club based in Derry, Northern Ireland. It plays in the League of Ireland Premier Division...
shirt, however, on many occasions he was subject to abuse from opposing fans. The most intolerable abuse he suffered was from the Coleraine F.C.
Coleraine F.C.
Coleraine F.C. is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club, playing in the IFA Premiership. The club, founded in 1927, hails from Coleraine, County Londonderry and plays its home matches at the Showgrounds. Club colours are blue and white...
fans, who consider Derry City a rival team. He was labelled "The Frog" in reference to his nationality. However, he maintained his nerve and played through the criticism. Sometimes, if he was ever taking a throw-in close to the opposing fans who were verbally abusing him, he would even coolly turn his head to them back over either shoulder and retort with a dauntlessly resolute grin and a mocking jibe of "rosbif" before launching a dangerous throw into the box. (Coleraine has a significant population descended from Anglo planter stock.) Vaudequin's team mates have applauded his integrity and he was quoted as being "a gentleman, both on and off the pitch" by the Derry Journal
Derry Journal
The Derry Journal is a newspaper based in Derry, Northern Ireland, serving County Londonderry as well as County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland. It is operated by a Johnston Press holding company entitled Derry Journal Newspapers. The paper is published on Tuesday and Friday and is a sister...
. He was also the centre of a racial abuse controversy as manager of Institute, as Ballymena United F.C.
Ballymena United F.C.
Ballymena United, is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. The club hails from the town of Ballymena, County Antrim and plays its home matches at Ballymena Showgrounds. Club colours are sky blue and white. Away Colours are Red and BlackThe club was...
fans were believed to direct abuse toward the French man.