Tommy O'Hara
Encyclopedia
Tommy O'Hara is a Scottish
former professional footballer who played as a midfielder
. Active in Scotland and the United States, O'Hara made over 350 career league appearances. He also earned a cap with the U.S. national team
in 1982.
, O'Hara moved from junior side Kirkintilloch Rob Roy
to Scottish giants Celtic
in 1971. O'Hara never made a league appearance for Celtic, before joining Queen of the South F.C.
, the club to whom he gave his longest service. In subsequent interviews for the club, Tommy O'Hara was listed among the best players at the club at the time by each of Allan Ball
, Iain McChesney, Crawford Boyd
and Jocky Dempster
. O'Hara played in one of the more successful sides in the Willie Harkness era at Queens. Queens enjoyed some notable cup results as well as being deprived of promotion to Scotland's top division only by league restructure.
In March 1978, O'Hara moved to the United States where he signed with Washington Diplomats
of the North American Soccer League
. He spent three seasons with the Dips where among his team mates was Johan Cruyff
. Financial difficulties led the team to sell his contract to the Jacksonville Tea Men
in December 1980. He played one season in Jacksonville, then returned to Scotland.
O'Hara then played for Motherwell
, Falkirk
and Partick Thistle
in the Scottish Football League
. O'Hara later played junior football for Lesmahagow
.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
former professional footballer who played as a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
. Active in Scotland and the United States, O'Hara made over 350 career league appearances. He also earned a cap with the U.S. national team
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
in 1982.
Playing career
Born in BellshillBellshill
Bellshill is a town in North Lanarkshire, Scotland, 10 miles south east of Glasgow city centre and 37 miles west of Edinburgh. Other nearby towns are Motherwell , Hamilton and Coatbridge . Since 1996, it has been situated in the Greater Glasgow metropolitan area...
, O'Hara moved from junior side Kirkintilloch Rob Roy
Kirkintilloch Rob Roy F.C.
Kirkintilloch Rob Roy Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the town of Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire. Nicknamed The Rabs or The Roy, they were formed in 1878...
to Scottish giants 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...
in 1971. O'Hara never made a league appearance for Celtic, before joining Queen of the South F.C.
Queen of the South F.C.
Queen of the South Football Club is a Scottish professional football club founded in 1919 and located in Dumfries. The club currently plays in the Scottish First Division, the second tier of Scottish football. They are officially nicknamed The Doonhamers, but usually referred to as Queens or QoS...
, the club to whom he gave his longest service. In subsequent interviews for the club, Tommy O'Hara was listed among the best players at the club at the time by each of Allan Ball
Allan Ball
Allan Ball is an English former footballer. Born in Hetton-le-Hole, County Durham, Ball played as a goalkeeper, spending most of his professional career with Scottish club Queen of the South. Ball made 731 first team appearances for Queens, a club record, between 1963 and 1982...
, Iain McChesney, Crawford Boyd
Crawford Boyd
Crawford Boyd from Kilwinning is a Scottish former professional footballer.Crawford Boyd is best known for his time at Dumfries club, Queen of the South The defensive cornerstone of the 1970s returned to Queens during the promotion campaign of 1980-81 to make a total of 321 first team appearances...
and Jocky Dempster
Jocky Dempster
John 'Jocky' Dempster is a Scottish former professional footballer.- Career :Dempster played with junior outfit Muirkirk before signing for Queen of the South F.C. at the start of the 1969-70 season....
. O'Hara played in one of the more successful sides in the Willie Harkness era at Queens. Queens enjoyed some notable cup results as well as being deprived of promotion to Scotland's top division only by league restructure.
In March 1978, O'Hara moved to the United States where he signed with Washington Diplomats
Washington Diplomats
The Washington Diplomats were an American soccer club based in Washington, D.C.. Throughout their existence, the club played their home games at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium...
of the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
. He spent three seasons with the Dips where among his team mates was Johan Cruyff
Johan Cruyff
Hendrik Johannes Cruijff OON , known as Johan Cruyff, is a retired Dutch footballer and is currently the manager of the Catalan national team as well as a member of the AFC Ajax board of directors. He won the Ballon d'Or three times, in 1971, 1973 and 1974, which is a record jointly held with...
. Financial difficulties led the team to sell his contract to the Jacksonville Tea Men
Jacksonville Tea Men
The Jacksonville Tea Men were an American soccer team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. Overall, the Tea Men played a total of four seasons in Jacksonville, first in the major league-level North American Soccer League from 1980–1982, then in the lower level American Soccer League and United...
in December 1980. He played one season in Jacksonville, then returned to Scotland.
O'Hara then played for Motherwell
Motherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
, Falkirk
Falkirk F.C.
Falkirk Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Falkirk. It is one of two professional football teams from the town, the other being East Stirlingshire...
and Partick Thistle
Partick Thistle F.C.
Partick Thistle Football Club are a professional association football club from Glasgow. Despite their name, the club are based in the Maryhill area of the city, and have not played in Partick since 1908...
in the Scottish Football League
Scottish Football League
The Scottish Football League is a league of football teams in Scotland, comprising theScottish First Division, Scottish Second Division and Scottish Third Division. From the league's foundation in 1890 until the breakaway Scottish Premier League was formed in 1998, the Scottish Football League...
. O'Hara later played junior football for Lesmahagow
Lesmahagow F.C.
Lesmahagow Football Club are a Scottish football club, based in the town of Lesmahagow, South Lanarkshire. Nicknamed the Gow, they were formed in 1885 and play at Craighead Park...
.