Cliff Byrne

Irish former footballer

Cliff Byrne
Personal information
Full name Clifford Byrne
Date of birth (1982-04-26) 26 April 1982 (age 41)
Place of birth Dublin, Ireland
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Centre back
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1999–2003 Sunderland 0 (0)
2002–2003Scunthorpe United (loan) 13 (0)
2003–2012 Scunthorpe United 263 (9)
2012–2014 Oldham Athletic 38 (1)
2013Scunthorpe United (loan) 10 (0)
2014 Derry City 17 (1)
2014–2015 Alfreton Town 7 (1)
2015 Gainsborough Trinity 11 (1)
2023 Bottesford Town 5 (2)
Total 364 (15)
International career
2002–2003 Republic of Ireland U21 7 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Clifford "Cliff" Byrne (born 26 April 1982) is an Irish former footballer, who is assistant manager at EFL League Two side Doncaster Rovers.

Playing career

Byrne began his career with Sunderland. He signed for Scunthorpe United on loan in 2002.[1][2] After a successful three-month loan spell concluded in February 2003, Scunthorpe manager Brian Laws described Byrne as his best ever loan signing, attempting to sign him on a permanent transfer for £50,000.[3][4] Byrne initally turned down the move in order to fight for his place at Sunderland, but subsequently joined Scunthorpe after being released by Sunderland in the summer.[5][6][4]

Following the departure of Izzy Iriekpen[7] Byrne was given the captaincy of the side. He scored two goals in the last two games of the 2008–09 season; his 89th-minute goal against Tranmere Rovers was enough to help Scunthorpe seal the last playoff place.[8] After missing just under a year of action due to injury, Byrne made his first start of the 2011–12 season on 26 November 2011, away to Notts County. He was released by the club in May 2012.[9]

On 27 July 2012, it was announced that Byrne had signed for Oldham Athletic.[10] Byrne scored his first goal for Oldham against his old club Scunthorpe United in a 2–2 draw on 1 January 2013[11] He rejoined former club Scunthorpe on loan in September 2013. On 17 January 2014, Cliff had his contract at Oldham Athletic cancelled by mutual agreement.[12]

In February 2014, Byrne signed for Roddy Collins at the Brandywell Stadium to play for Derry City for the 2014 League of Ireland season.[13] He scored his first League goal on his third league appearance.[14]

On 19 February 2015, he joined Gainsborough Trinity.[15]

In February 2023, Byrne rekindled his playing career, signing for Bottesford Town in the Northern Counties East Football League Premier Division.[16]

Coaching career

Byrne took part in a UEFA 'B' coaching course in summer 2005.[17]

On 30 June 2018, he was appointed assistant manager to Grant McCann at Doncaster Rovers.[18]

On 21 June 2019, he was appointed assistant manager again to Grant McCann, following his appointment as head coach at Hull City.[19] Following the takeover of Hull City by Acun Medya, backed by Acun Ilıcalı on 19 January 2022,[20] McCann and Byrne were sacked a few days later.[21]

In February 2022, Byrne became assistant manager at Peterborough United, once again assisting McCann.[22] The duo were sacked in January 2023.[23]

In May 2023, Byrne was reappointed as assistant manager to McCann at Doncaster Rovers.[24][25]

Career statistics

Club Season League National cup League cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Sunderland 2002–03[26] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Scunthorpe United 2002–03[a][2] Division Three 13 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 16 0
2003–04[27] Division Three 39 1 6 0 2 0 4[b] 0 51 1
2004–05[28] League Two 29 1 3 0 0 0 1[b] 0 33 1
2005–06[29] League One 32 1 4 0 1 0 3[b] 0 40 1
2006–07[30] League One 24 0 3 0 1 0 2[b] 0 30 0
2007–08[31] Championship 25 0 1 0 1 0 27 0
2008–09[32] League One 43 2 3 0 1 0 10[c] 0 57 2
2009–10[33] Championship 36 2 2 0 2 0 40 2
2010–11[34] Championship 21 2 0 0 3 0 24 2
2011–12[35] League One 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 0
Total 276 9 25 0 11 0 20 0 332 9
Oldham Athletic 2012–13[36] League One 35 1 3 0 1 0 1[b] 0 40 1
2013–14[37] League One 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
Total 38 1 3 0 1 0 1 0 43 1
Scunthorpe United (loan) 2013–14[37] League Two 10 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 11 0
Derry City 2014[38] League of Ireland Premier Division 17 1 0 0 0 0 4[d] 0 21 1
Alfreton Town 2014–15[39] Conference Premier 7 1 0 0 1[e] 0 8 1
Gainsborough Trinity 2014–15[39] Conference North 11 1 0 0 0 0 11 1
Bottesford Town 2022–23[40] Northern Counties East League Premier Division 5 2 0 0 0 0 5 2
Career total 364 15 29 0 12 0 26 0 431 15
  1. ^ This season was spent on loan from Sunderland
  2. ^ a b c d e Appearances in Football League Trophy
  3. ^ Seven appearances in Football League Trophy; three appearances in League One play-offs
  4. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  5. ^ Appearances in FA Trophy

Honours

Scunthorpe United

References

  1. ^ "Iron keep Byrne". BBC Sport. 14 January 2003. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Games played by Cliff Byrne in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  3. ^ "Scunthorpe target Byrne deal". BBC Sport. 19 February 2003. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Iron sign Byrne". BBC Sport. 11 June 2003. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  5. ^ Fennelly, Amanda. "Byrne turns down move to Scunthorpe". RTÉ. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  6. ^ Buckingham, Mark. "Laws talks to two". Sky Sports. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  7. ^ "Scunthorpe United | News | Announcements | Announcements | CLUB STATEMENT RE: IZZY IRIEKPEN". Archived from the original on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2008.
  8. ^ "Scunthorpe 1-1 Tranmere". BBC Sport. 2 May 2009. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  9. ^ "Cliff Byrne heads Scunthorpe United departures". BBC Sport. 10 May 2012. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
  10. ^ "Oldham deals for Cliff Byrne and Youssouf M'Changama". BBC Sport. 27 July 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
  11. ^ "Scunthorpe 2-2 Oldham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  12. ^ "Defender Leaves Club". Oldham Athletic AFC. 17 January 2014.
  13. ^ "Cliff Byrne Signs". 3 February 2014.
  14. ^ "Match Day Arrangements v Finn Harps". 14 April 2017.
  15. ^ "Gainsborough Trinity set to sign Scunthorpe United legend Cliff Byrne | Lincolnshire Echo". Archived from the original on 19 February 2015. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  16. ^ "Bottesford Town FC on X". Twitter. 21 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  17. ^ "Sports News | Headlines, Rumours & Opinion". GiveMeSport. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  18. ^ "Doncaster Rovers: Cliff Byrne joins as assistant manager". Doncaster Free Press. 30 June 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  19. ^ "Hull City Appoint New Head Coach". Hull City A.F.C. 21 June 2019. Archived from the original on 21 June 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  20. ^ "Club Statement". Hull City A.F.C. 19 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  21. ^ "Club Statement: Grant McCann". Hull City A.F.C. 25 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  22. ^ "Posh Appoint McCann As New Manager". Peterborough United. 24 February 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  23. ^ "Official Club Statement". Peterborough United. 4 January 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  24. ^ "Cliff Byrne appointed assistant manager". Doncaster Rovers FC. 15 May 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  25. ^ Rayner, Stuart (18 June 2023). "Cliff Byrne excited to get back to Cantley Park after Doncaster Rovers' hectic start to summer". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  26. ^ "Sunderland 2002/2003 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  27. ^ "Games played by Cliff Byrne in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  28. ^ "Games played by Cliff Byrne in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  29. ^ "Games played by Cliff Byrne in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  30. ^ "Games played by Cliff Byrne in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  31. ^ "Games played by Cliff Byrne in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  32. ^ "Games played by Cliff Byrne in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  33. ^ "Games played by Cliff Byrne in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  34. ^ "Games played by Cliff Byrne in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  35. ^ "Games played by Cliff Byrne in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  36. ^ "Games played by Cliff Byrne in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  37. ^ a b "Games played by Cliff Byrne in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  38. ^ "Cliff Byrne | Stats | History | Career Details | Images". www.extratime.com. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  39. ^ a b c "C. Byrne - Profile with news, career statistics and history". uk.soccerway.com. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  40. ^ "Teams | Bottesford Town | Statistics". Northern Counties East Football League. Archived from the original on 13 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  41. ^ Fletcher, Paul (5 April 2009). "Luton 3–2 Scunthorpe (aet)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 March 2024.

External links

  • Cliff Byrne at Soccerbase Edit this at Wikidata
  • Republic of Ireland profile at Soccer Scene
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FAI Under 15 International Player of the Year