Jimmy NeillOJimmy O’Neill, who died on 15 December, 2007, aged 76, was a wiry goalkeeper who entertained the terraces of several top clubs and was described as having “elastic arms”.He made his name with long spells at Everton and Stoke City, made over 400 Football League appearances and represented Ireland 17 times. He was celebrated for his ability at dealing with crosses and his acrobatics between the posts.James Anthony O’Neill was born in Dublin on 13 October, 1931. He was the son of the professional golfer Moses O'Neill and was a fine all-round sportsman during his youth. He showed promise as a goalkeeper with local side Buffin United and represented Ireland at schoolboy level.He was spotted by an Everton scout playing in a youth international at Brentford and he signed professional terms at the age of 17, one of many Irishmen at the club at the time. He made his debut the following year, replacing veteran keeper Ted Sagar for a run of 10 games.It was a difficult season for Everton who were facing relegation to the Second Division and the young O’Neill was out of his depth – his lack of experience meant he just couldn’t cope with the barrage of shots the porous Toffee’s defence let come his way. However, by the 1953/54 campaign he had matured to become the side’s regular goalie during their promotion back to the top flight.He faced similar problems at the start of his international career, conceding six goals against Spain on his debut, none of which he could really be blamed for, as was testified by his selection for the next game.After two more successful seasons with Everton he was unlucky to lose his place to Albert Dunlop, a local lad who Mr O’Neill felt to be an inferior keeper, causing a rift between him and manager Johnny Carey.In the summer of 1960 his escape route came in the form of a bid of £5,000 from Second Division outfit Stoke City. Stoke’s astute manager Tony Waddington was putting together a strong side of talented players unfancied by other clubs, including Jackie Mudie, Dennis Viollet, Eddie Stuart and Stanley Matthews who was nearing 50 at the time.In the 1962/63 season he was ever present as the Potters won promotion to the First Division as champions and had demonstrated heroics in matches against title rivals Chelsea and Sunderland. However, the following season, despite being only 32, he was usurped by a younger man once again, this time Bobby Irvine.He left later in the season and spent a year at Fourth Division Darlington before finishing his professional career at Port Vale. After a spell at Cork Celtic he eventually retired in 1968 to run a taxi firm in Ormskirk, Lancashire.Former Stoke City defender Tony Allen, paid tribute to his old team-mate: “When he was on his game, there weren't many better goalkeepers around than Jimmy. When the chips were down, he was one of those who would always come up for you.“The day we won the title at Chelsea he was absolutely brilliant. We took the lead, but after that it was backs-to-the-wall and he was brilliant as we won 1-0.”He was survived by his wife Angela and their four children. He had remained a follower of Everton throughout his life and regularly attended home matches. “He’ll be able to watch the away games as well now,” said Angela.
Keep me informed of updates
