Derek Swan Explained

Derek Swan
Fullname:Derek Anthony Swan
Birth Date:24 October 1966
Birth Place:Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Position:Forward
Youthclubs1:Belvedere[1]
Years1:1985–1986
Clubs1:Home Farm
Caps1:9
Goals1:0
Years2:1986–1990
Clubs2:Bohemians
Caps2:101
Goals2:41
Years3:1990
Clubs3:Port Vale
Caps3:0
Goals3:0
Years4:1990
Clubs4:Wageningen (loan)
Caps4:5
Goals4:0
Years5:1990–1993
Clubs5:Shamrock Rovers
Caps5:75
Goals5:25
Years6:1993
Clubs6:Dundalk
Caps6:3
Goals6:0
Years7:1993–1994
Clubs7:Glentoran
Caps7:6
Goals7:1
Years8:1994–2000
Clubs8:Bohemians
Caps8:136
Goals8:48
Years9:2000–2002
Clubs9:UCD
Caps9:16
Goals9:4
Totalcaps:353
Totalgoals:119
Nationalyears1:1986–1987
Nationalteam1:Republic of Ireland U21s
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:1989
Nationalteam2:Republic of Ireland U23
Nationalcaps2:1
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:1989
Nationalteam3:League of Ireland XI
Nationalcaps3:1
Nationalgoals3:1

Derek Anthony Swan (born 24 October 1966) is an Irish former footballer who played as a forward. He played for Home Farm, Bohemians, Port Vale, FC Wageningen, Shamrock Rovers, Dundalk, Glentoran and UCD.

Club career

Swan began his career with Home Farm in 1985–86, making his debut against Shamrock Rovers in November 1985. The following season he secured a switch to Bohemians, where he averaged ten league goals a year in four years with the club. In June 1987 he guested for Shamrock Rovers in a tournament in South Korea.[2]

He moved to England with Port Vale in May 1990 for a £15,000 fee. Three months later, he went out on a one-month loan to FC Wageningen. He never made the first team at Vale Park and was sold on to Shamrock Rovers for £12,500 in November 1990.[3] He scored twice on his Rovers league debut in December 1990.[4] During his three years at the club he scored 25 goals in 75 league appearances and was top club goalscorer in 1991–92 and 1992–93.

In December 1994 he returned to "Bohs" for £2,000. He spent the next six years at Dalymount, including scoring at Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi in a 1995 UEFA Intertoto Cup tie.[5] He also netted in a 1996–97 UEFA Cup tie against FC Dinamo Minsk.

In 2000, he signed for University College Dublin, where his goals helped UCD to avoid relegation as they secured their top-flight status for the following 2001–02 season, with one point to spare.[6]

International career

Swan was capped at schoolboy, youth, under-21 and under-23 level for the Republic of Ireland. He also played for the League of Ireland XI against Al-Ahly.[7]

He played at the 1985 FIFA World Youth Championship.[8]

Personal life

His father played as a goalkeeper for Bohemians and Drogheda and Athlone. His uncle, Maurice Swan, was also a goalkeeper. His cousin, former defender Tony McDonnell, had a 13-year career with UCD.[9] His son, Ryan, is also a footballer; both father and son have played for Bohemian.[10]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: International Roll of Honour. belvederefc.com. 2 February 2016. 2 February 2016. 31 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210131041658/http://www.belvederefc.com/honours/international-roll-of-honour.913.html. dead.
  2. News: Article. 11 June 1987. The Irish Times. 4. 22 June 2009.
  3. Book: Kent, Jeff. Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. 284. 1996. 0-9529152-0-0.
  4. News: Article. 3 December 1990. 16. The Irish Times. 22 June 2009.
  5. News: Article. 3 July 1995. The Irish Times. 30. 22 June 2009.
  6. Web site: Derry mastered by students. 25 March 2001. BBC Sport. 22 June 2009.
  7. News: Mackey . Liam . A tale of 'Mad Dog' and Irishmen looks back at League of Ireland players' time in Libya . 20 December 2022 . Irish Examiner. 7 December 2019.
  8. Web site: FIFA Player Statistics: Derek SWAN – FIFA.com . FIFA . 14 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121106224501/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=193015/index.html . 6 November 2012 . dead.
  9. News: Fennessy . Paul . Facing Zidane in Dublin, an ill-fated stint in England and becoming one of Irish football's all-time top scorers . 20 December 2022 . The42 . 9 September 2018 . en.
  10. Web site: The son of a club legend will play up front for Bohemians next season. 20 December 2017. 15 January 2018. The 42.