Johnny Crossan

John Andrew Crossan (born 29 November 1938) is a Northern Irish author, radio sports analyst, entrepreneur, and former footballer. His brother Eddie was also a player.

Johnny Crossan
Personal information
Full name John Andrew Crossan
Date of birth (1938-11-29) 29 November 1938
Place of birth Derry, Northern Ireland
Position(s) Inside forward
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1954–1958 Derry City ? (5)
1958 Coleraine 0 (0)
1958–1959 Bristol City 0 (0)
1959–1961 Sparta Rotterdam 20 (5)
1961–1962 Standard Liège 33 (6)
1962–1965 Sunderland 82 (39)
1965–1967 Manchester City 94 (24)
1967–1970 Middlesbrough 56 (7)
1970–1975 KSK Tongeren 105 (4)
Total 370 + (80 +)
National team
1959 Northern Ireland B 1 (0)
1959–1967 Northern Ireland 24 (10)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

Crossan began his career playing for Derry City, where he played as an inside forward. His talent was spotted by several leading English clubs, including Arsenal and Sunderland. When the latter made a substantial offer, Derry City offered Crossan a payment deal which he rejected, offering his own. When the Sunderland negotiations broke down, Derry City dropped Crossan, who signed for Coleraine. Derry City, still aggrieved by Crossan's actions, reported themselves to the Football League authorities for technical breaches of regulations, thus ensuring that Crossan would face disciplinary action.

In January 1959, a commission of inquiry imposed small fines on Derry and Coleraine, but banned Crossan from all forms of football for life. A partial lifting of the ban was allowed following an appeal, in May 1959 the inside forward signed for Dutch Champions Sparta Rotterdam,[1] where he was first called up to the Northern Ireland squad.

He went from there to Standard Liège, where he played in the semi-final of the European Cup against Real Madrid. In 1963, Crossan returned to football in the UK (following the lifting of his 'life-time' ban) when he was signed by Sunderland, with whom he made it to the old First Division. He then signed for Manchester City who were playing in the old Second Division. As team captain, he helped them make their way into the old First Division, before being sold to Middlesbrough after a loss of form following a car crash and other health problems.

International career

Internationally, he was capped 24 times by Northern Ireland and scored 10 goals.

International goals

Scores and results list Northern Ireland's goal tally first.

#DateVenueOpponentResultCompetition
128 November 1961Belfast, Northern Ireland Poland2–0UEFA Euro 1964 qualifying
220 November 1963London, England England3–81964 British Home Championship
329 April 1964Belfast, Northern Ireland Uruguay3–0Friendly match
429 April 1964Belfast, Northern Ireland Uruguay3–0Friendly match
514 October 1964Belfast, Northern Ireland  Switzerland1–01966 FIFA World Cup qualification
617 March 1965Belfast, Northern Ireland Netherlands2–11966 FIFA World Cup qualification
77 May 1965Belfast, Northern Ireland Albania4–11966 FIFA World Cup qualification
87 May 1965Belfast, Northern Ireland Albania4–11966 FIFA World Cup qualification
97 May 1965Belfast, Northern Ireland Albania4–11966 FIFA World Cup qualification
102 October 1965Belfast, Northern Ireland Scotland3–21966 British Home Championship

Management

After his playing days, Crossan had a spell in management and took the top job at League of Ireland club, Sligo Rovers. He resigned soon after.

Media career

He also commentates for BBC Radio Foyle when they cover Derry City games.

References
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