Peter Eccles
Encyclopedia
Peter Eccles is an Irish
former professional soccer player.
He played for Shamrock Rovers for many years as a centre back and was part of their successful teams of the 1980s. He won a record five league championships with the club, in 1994 captaining the Rovers side to win the League. He scored 30 league goals for the Hoops.
against UCD
.
Eccles played throughout the 1980s in the Rovers team that won four league championships in row from 1984 to 1987 - a record achievement in Irish football. The team also won three FAI cups in a row, fom 1985 to 1987 - a record only bettered by the Shamrock Rovers team of the 1960s.
The Rovers 'four ina row' team fell apart after the club fell into crisis after the sale of Glenmalure Park
in 1987. Eccles went to Australia for six months Australia and a short spell with Dundalk F.C.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1988/1013/Pg002.html#Ar00203 (4 games including one substitute appearance in the UEFA Cup
) he signed a 2 year deal with Leicester City http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1988/1027/Pg003.html#Ar00307 in England but only made one first team appearance for them (against Blackburn Rovers) in 1989.
He returned to Rovers in October 1989 and stayed until 1994. In the season 1993/94, he captained Rovers to their 15th league title at the RDS Arena
(their last until 2010).
However the following year, he left the club on rather bad terms with the then board of directors. In the absence of any recognition by SRFC to honour his 12 year stint at the club, Rovers fans organised a testimonial night for Peter on the 13th of November 1994.
Peter made 9 appearances in European competition for Rovers, scoring once, against Linfield
. http://www.shamrockrovers.ie/europeanresults.php.
He was Rovers Player of the Year in 1992/93 Shamrock Rovers#Player of the Year Award recipients.
on 23 April 1986 at Lansdowne Road
to play the last ten minutes of a 1-1 home friendly game against Uruguay http://www.soccerscene.ie/sssenior/matchdetails.php?id=223. This was his only ever appearance for the Republic of Ireland national football team
. As well as his full international cap he represented the League of Ireland
on Inter-League and 1988 Summer Olympics
teams scoring against France in November 1987. Also won one youths cap.
after being let go by Rovers but suffered a broken leg which kept him out for the whole season. After 14 months out he signed for Home Farm in December 1995. After a short spell at Athlone Town F.C. he returned to the Hoops for his third spell in September 1996. However lacking first team action he moved to Home Farm Everton in November where he played his last game in the League of Ireland
on the 27th of April 1997.
He currently works in the Department of the Marine in Beggars Bush, Dublin.
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 soccer player.
He played for Shamrock Rovers for many years as a centre back and was part of their successful teams of the 1980s. He won a record five league championships with the club, in 1994 captaining the Rovers side to win the League. He scored 30 league goals for the Hoops.
Shamrock Rovers career
He made his debut on the 18th of October 1981 at MilltownGlenmalure Park
Glenmalure Park, often simply known as "Milltown", was a football stadium on the Southside of Dublin city in Ireland. Located in the suburb of Milltown, it was home to Shamrock Rovers from 1926 to 1987, when it was sold to property developers by the club's directors...
against UCD
University College Dublin A.F.C.
University College Dublin Association Football Club known commonly as UCD is the football team of University College Dublin. They play in the League of Ireland. The club, founded in 1895 was elected to the league in 1979 under the management of Dr. Tony O'Neill. Since the 2008 season they have...
.
Eccles played throughout the 1980s in the Rovers team that won four league championships in row from 1984 to 1987 - a record achievement in Irish football. The team also won three FAI cups in a row, fom 1985 to 1987 - a record only bettered by the Shamrock Rovers team of the 1960s.
The Rovers 'four ina row' team fell apart after the club fell into crisis after the sale of Glenmalure Park
Glenmalure Park
Glenmalure Park, often simply known as "Milltown", was a football stadium on the Southside of Dublin city in Ireland. Located in the suburb of Milltown, it was home to Shamrock Rovers from 1926 to 1987, when it was sold to property developers by the club's directors...
in 1987. Eccles went to Australia for six months Australia and a short spell with Dundalk F.C.
Dundalk F.C.
Dundalk Football Club is a professional Irish football club based in Dundalk, County Louth. The club currently play in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. Founded in 1903, they are the second most successful team, in terms of trophies won, in the history of the League of Ireland. The...
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1988/1013/Pg002.html#Ar00203 (4 games including one substitute appearance in the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
) he signed a 2 year deal with Leicester City http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1988/1027/Pg003.html#Ar00307 in England but only made one first team appearance for them (against Blackburn Rovers) in 1989.
He returned to Rovers in October 1989 and stayed until 1994. In the season 1993/94, he captained Rovers to their 15th league title at the RDS Arena
RDS Arena
RDS Arena is a multi-purpose sports stadium, owned by the Royal Dublin Society and located in the Dublin suburb of Ballsbridge, Ireland.The arena was originally developed to host equestrian events, including the annual Dublin Horse Show, which was first held there in 1868. The site was acquired in...
(their last until 2010).
However the following year, he left the club on rather bad terms with the then board of directors. In the absence of any recognition by SRFC to honour his 12 year stint at the club, Rovers fans organised a testimonial night for Peter on the 13th of November 1994.
Peter made 9 appearances in European competition for Rovers, scoring once, against Linfield
Linfield F.C.
Linfield F.C. , is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club, whose home ground is Windsor Park in Belfast, which is also the home of the Northern Ireland international team....
. http://www.shamrockrovers.ie/europeanresults.php.
He was Rovers Player of the Year in 1992/93 Shamrock Rovers#Player of the Year Award recipients.
International career
Eccles had one of Ireland's shortest ever international careers when he replaced Chris HughtonChris Hughton
Christopher William Gerard "Chris" Hughton is a professional football manager and former player who is currently the manager of Birmingham City F.C....
on 23 April 1986 at Lansdowne Road
Lansdowne Road
Lansdowne Road was a stadium in Dublin owned by the Irish Rugby Football Union that has been the location of a number of sports stadiums. It was used primarily for rugby union and for association football matches as well as some music concerts...
to play the last ten minutes of a 1-1 home friendly game against Uruguay http://www.soccerscene.ie/sssenior/matchdetails.php?id=223. This was his only ever appearance for the Republic of Ireland national football team
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....
. As well as his full international cap he represented 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...
on Inter-League and 1988 Summer Olympics
1988 Summer Olympics
The 1988 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIV Olympiad, were an all international multi-sport events celebrated from September 17 to October 2, 1988 in Seoul, South Korea. They were the second summer Olympic Games to be held in Asia and the first since the 1964 Summer Olympics...
teams scoring against France in November 1987. Also won one youths cap.
Post Rovers
Signed for Crusaders F.C.Crusaders F.C.
Crusaders Football Club is a semi-professional, Northern Irish association football club, playing in the IFA Premiership. The club, founded in 1898, hails from Belfast and plays its home matches at Seaview. Club colours are red and black. The current manager is Stephen Baxter, appointed in 2005...
after being let go by Rovers but suffered a broken leg which kept him out for the whole season. After 14 months out he signed for Home Farm in December 1995. After a short spell at Athlone Town F.C. he returned to the Hoops for his third spell in September 1996. However lacking first team action he moved to Home Farm Everton in November where he played his last game 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...
on the 27th of April 1997.
He currently works in the Department of the Marine in Beggars Bush, Dublin.
Honours
- League of IrelandLeague of IrelandThe 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...
: 5- Shamrock Rovers 1983/84, 1984/85, 1985/86, 1986/87, 1993/94
- FAI CupFAI CupThe 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...
: 3- Shamrock Rovers 1985, 1986, 1987
- Leinster Senior Cup (football)Leinster Senior Cup (football)The Leinster Senior Cup is an association football cup competition organised by the Leinster Football Association. It contested by the top League of Ireland sides based in the province in Leinster along with four Leinster Senior League sides and the two Leinster Junior Cup finalists. The Cup was...
- Shamrock Rovers 1982
- LFA Presidents Cup
- Shamrock Rovers - 1987/88
- Player of the Year
- Shamrock Rovers - 1992/93