Peter O'Rourke
Encyclopedia
Peter O'Rourke was a Scottish footballer and manager.
who played for Celtic
, Burnley
, Lincoln City
, Third Lanark and Chesterfield
before his final playing days at Bradford City
. He became player-manager in 1905 following the departure of Robert Campbell
while he was still captain. He was given the job permanently and in December 1905 played his final game in an FA Cup
tie against Darlington
.
He led the Bantams to the Second Division
championship in 1908. Three years later, O'Rourke clinched the FA Cup
with Bradford in 1911, beating Newcastle United 1–0 in a replay. His son, Francis, died in Newfoundland in October 1919, affecting him deeply, and in June 1921, due to ill health, O'Rourke retired from the game.
He came back with Welsh side Pontypridd
in 1922 for five months. In December of that year, O'Rourke joined Dundee Hibernians
, who were then a non-league club, but stayed for only three months, resigning after lacking financial support. His next managerial job was with Bradford Park Avenue
from 1924 to 1925. He spent just ten months at Park Avenue but signed another son, Peter, who scored twice on his debut against Durham City.
He returned to Bradford City in 1928, winning the Third Division North the following year. After leaving Bradford for the second time in 1930, he moved to Walsall, before a final managerial spell with Llanelli
. He retired in July 1933.
After retiring, O'Rourke returned to Bradford living in Burlington Terrace next to City's Valley Parade
ground until he died in January 1956 at the age of 82.
Career
O'Rourke was a centre halfDefender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
who played for Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
, Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
, Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
, Third Lanark and Chesterfield
Chesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
before his final playing days at Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
. He became player-manager in 1905 following the departure of Robert Campbell
Robert Campbell (football manager)
Robert Campbell was a football manager who was the first club manager of Bradford City when the club was formed in 1903.-Managerial career:...
while he was still captain. He was given the job permanently and in December 1905 played his final game in an FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
tie against Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
.
He led the Bantams to the Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
championship in 1908. Three years later, O'Rourke clinched the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
with Bradford in 1911, beating Newcastle United 1–0 in a replay. His son, Francis, died in Newfoundland in October 1919, affecting him deeply, and in June 1921, due to ill health, O'Rourke retired from the game.
He came back with Welsh side Pontypridd
Pontypridd Town A.F.C.
Pontypridd Town AFC is a Welsh football club, based in the town of Pontypridd, Mid Glamorgan. The club was formed in 1992 after merging with another team, Ynysybwl...
in 1922 for five months. In December of that year, O'Rourke joined Dundee Hibernians
Dundee United F.C.
Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923...
, who were then a non-league club, but stayed for only three months, resigning after lacking financial support. His next managerial job was with Bradford Park Avenue
Bradford Park Avenue A.F.C.
Bradford Association Football Club, previously also known as Bradford and since its reformation in the 1970s now referred to as Bradford Park Avenue, is a football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England...
from 1924 to 1925. He spent just ten months at Park Avenue but signed another son, Peter, who scored twice on his debut against Durham City.
He returned to Bradford City in 1928, winning the Third Division North the following year. After leaving Bradford for the second time in 1930, he moved to Walsall, before a final managerial spell with Llanelli
Llanelli A.F.C.
Llanelli Association Football Club is a Welsh semi-professional football club that plays in the Welsh Premier League for the 2010–11 season. The team has been based at Stebonheath Park since 1920, and as of 2009 is managed by Andy Legg....
. He retired in July 1933.
After retiring, O'Rourke returned to Bradford living in Burlington Terrace next to City's Valley Parade
Valley Parade
Valley Parade, also known as the Coral Windows Stadium through sponsorship rights, is an all-seater football stadium in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. It was built in 1886, and was the home of Manningham Rugby Football Club until 1903, when they changed code from rugby football to association...
ground until he died in January 1956 at the age of 82.
Manager
Bradford City- Football League Second DivisionFootball League Second DivisionFrom 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
: 1907–081907-08 in English footballThe 1907–08 season was the 37th season of competitive football in England. Manchester United were Football League champions for the first time, while Bradford City won the Second Division and Wolverhampton Wanderers won the FA Cup... - FA CupFA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
: 1910–11 - Football League Third Division NorthFootball League Third Division NorthThe Third Division North of The Football League was a tier in the English association football league system from 1921 to 1958. It ran parallel to Third Division South with clubs elected to the League or relegated from a higher division allocated to one or the other according to geographical position...
: 1928–291928-29 in English footballThe 1928–29 season was the 54th season of competitive football in England.-Honours:Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour...