Phil O'Connor
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Philip Kelvin O'Connor | ||
| Date of birth | 10 October 1953 | ||
| Place of birth | Romford, England | ||
| Date of death | 23 September 1985 (aged 31) | ||
| Place of death | Australia | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1970–1971 | Southend United | 0 | (0) |
| Bexley United | |||
| 1972–1975 | Luton Town | 2 | (0) |
| 1974–1975 | → Lincoln City (loan) | 4 | (1) |
| 1975 | Balgownie Rangers | ||
| 1976 | Wollongong City | ||
| 1977 | St George | ||
| 1980–1981 | A.P.I.A. Leichhardt | ||
| 1984–1985 | Blacktown City | ||
| National team | |||
| 1976–1984 |
 Australia | 20 | (5) |
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17:10, 2 February 2008 (UTC). | |||
Phil O'Connor (10 October 1953 – 23 September 1985) was a footballer who played as a midfielder for Australia.
He began his career as an apprentice with Southend United before dropping into the non-league ranks with Bexley United. In 1972, he returned to the Football League with Luton Town. After a loan spell with Lincoln City in the 1974–75 season, O'Connor emigrated to Australia. He quickly made his way into the Australia team, making his debut against Hong Kong on 11 August 1976[1] and going on to appear a total of 20 times scoring 5 goals, which included three appearances against England in 1983.[2]
A fee of $7,000 saw him move from St George to A.P.I.A. Leichhardt for the 1980 National Soccer League season, netting a 14th minute debut goal in the club's 2-1 over Adelaide City at Lambert Park (Leichhardt) on 9 March 1980.[3] After two seasons, he moved on to join Wollongong Wolves for the 1982 National Soccer League season.[4] On 23 September 1985, O'Connor died in a car accident when his bread van veered off the Appin Road and hit a tree, killing him instantly.[5][6]
References
- ↑ "Socceroo Internationals for 1976". OZSoccer Archive. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
- ↑ "Socceroo Internationals for 1983". OZSoccer Archive. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
- ↑ "New boy Phil a hero". Sydney Morning Herald. 10 March 1980. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
- ↑ "Slickers looking at fourth title". Sydney Morning Herald. 14 February 1982. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
- ↑ "Ex-Socceroo striker dies in car crash". Sydney Morning Herald. 24 September 1985. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
- ↑ "Trans-Tasman rivalry is dead". SBS The World Game. 2001-06-19. Retrieved 2009-05-30.