Steve McIlhargey

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Steve McIlhargey
Personal information
Full name Stephen McIlhargey
Date of birth December 10, 1962 (age 44)
Place of birth Glasgow, Scotland
Position Goalkeeper (retired)
Professional clubs*
Years Club Apps (goals)
1987-1987
1989-1993
1993-1993
1993-2004
2000
Walsall
Blackpool
Chester City (loan)
Morecambe
Lancaster City (loan)
Total
unknown (0)
100 (0)
1 (0)
unknown
unknown
101 (0)

* Professional club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only and
correct as of 23 July 2006.

Steve McIlhargey (born December 10, 1962 in Glasgow, Scotland) is a retired professional goalkeeper. During his career, he played for Walsall, Rotherham, Chester City, Blackpool and Morecambe. He also represented Scotland at schoolboy level.

He is best remembered for his performance in Blackpool's 1991/92 play-off final against Scunthorpe at Wembley Stadium. After 90 minutes, the score was tied at 1-1, and the match went to extra time and then a penalty shoot-out. It was in the latter that McIlhargey's save from Scotland internationalist Graham Alexander's penalty, combined with Jason White's subsequent miss, sent the Seasiders into the new Division Two. In an act of sportsmanship, McIlhargey broke away from celebrating with his teammates and was the first to commiserate with White.

The Scot traded the Blackpool seaside for that of nearby Morecambe for the remaining decade of his playing career. He helped the team to secure their place in the Conference, and his league experience was crucial in Morecambe's push for promotion. In the years leading up to his retirement, McIlhargey became the Shrimps' back-up goalkeeper but was rarely named on the substitute's bench, with manager Jim Harvey preferring to have five outfield players to choose from.

McIlhargey retired from playing competitive football in May 2004 but remains at Morecambe in the capacity as goalkeeping coach.

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