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 |
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.