Jim Feeney Explained

Jim Feeney
Fullname:James McBurney Feeney
Birth Date:23 June 1921
Birth Place:Belfast, Northern Ireland
Death Date:March 1985 (age 63)
Position:Defender
Years1:1939–1941
Years2:1941–1946
Years3:1946–1950
Years4:1950–1956
Years5:1957–1959
Clubs1:Crusaders
Clubs2:Linfield
Clubs3:Swansea Town
Clubs4:Ipswich Town
Clubs5:Toronto Ulster United
Caps3:88
Caps4:214
Goals3:0
Goals4:0
Nationalyears1:1946–1949
Nationalteam1:Ireland
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:0
Manageryears1:1958
Managerclubs1:Toronto Ulster United
Manageryears2:1964
Managerclubs2:St. Andrews

James McBurney Feeney (23 June 1921 – March 1985) was a Northern Irish professional footballer. During his career he made almost 100 appearances for Swansea City and over 200 appearances for Ipswich Town. Feeney's son and grandson, both named Warren, later represented Northern Ireland.[1]

Club career

Born in Belfast, Feeney began his career as a junior with Crusaders. After they withdrew from football in 1941 due to the Second World War, he moved to Linfield with whom he played throughout the war as a winger before moving to full back.[2] He helped the side win three wartime league championships and Irish Cup's before moving to Swansea Town in December 1946.[1] After several years at Vetch Field, Feeney was appointed team captain and led Swansea to the Division Three South title before moving to Ipswich Town in March 1950. He made over 200 appearances at Portman Road before retiring in April 1956.[2]

In 1957, he played abroad in Canada's National Soccer League with Toronto Ulster United.[3] The following season he served as a player-coach for Ulster United.[4] He re-signed with Toronto for the 1959 NSL season.[5]

International career

Feeney represented Ireland twice in wartime internationals, later winning his first full cap on 27 November 1946 in a 0–0 draw with Scotland. His second and final cap came three years later in a 9–2 defeat to England during the 1950 British Home Championship.[6]

Managerial career

Feeney was the player-coach for Toronto Ulster United in 1958 and briefly served as the club's general manager.[7] He was also named the National Soccer League's All-Star head coach in 1958. In 1964, he was named the head coach for St. Andrews of the Ontario Soccer League.[8] Following his time in Canada, Feeney returned to Northern Ireland, managing Ards' reserves.[9]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Past players . Swansea City A.F.C. . 2010-03-09 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100309084031/http://www.swanseacity.net/page/PastPlayers/0%2C%2C10354~1171079%2C00.html . 2010-03-09 .
  2. Web site: Jim Feeney . Northern Ireland's Footballing Greats . 2010-03-09.
  3. News: Waring. Ed. May 1, 1958. To Play Mexicans: Jimmy Feeney Coach Of NSL All-Star Team. 31. The Globe and Mail.
  4. News: Waring. Ed. April 25, 1958. Ulster Gathers Power For NL Soccer Drive, Signing Star Talent. 18. The Globe and Mail.
  5. News: Waring. Ed. August 17, 1959. Hamilton City, Italians In Ontario Soccer Final. 22. The Globe and Mail.
  6. Web site: England 9-2 Ireland . The Football Association . 2010-03-09.
  7. News: Waring. Ed. August 12, 1958. Italia Needs Peak Power For Victory. 14. The Globe and Mail.
  8. News: Waring. Ed. May 1, 1964. Soccer Coaching Post: Ex-Star in Erin, Feeney Is Signed By St. Andrew's. 39. The Globe and Mail.
  9. Web site: Warren Feeney. Northern Ireland's Footballing Greats. 18 March 2022.