David Byrne (footballer born 1961)

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For other persons named David Byrne, see David Byrne (disambiguation).

David Stuart Byrne (born 5 March 1961 in Hammersmith, London) is an English former professional footballer. He is currently coach and assistant manager of the main team at Swindon Town, mainly due to his success in managing the youth team. He also works as a sports journalist and occasional radio commentator with Gordon Sparks on BBC Radio Devon.

Byrne was a winger and began his career with Gillingham. He moved to Millwall on August 4, 1986 for a fee of £5,000. He joined Cambridge United on loan on September 8, 1988 and Blackburn Rovers on loan on February 23, 1989. On March 16, 1989 he joined Plymouth Argyle on a free transfer. He later played for Bristol Rovers, Watford, Reading and Fulham before joining Scottish side Partick Thistle.

He joined Walsall on loan in February 1994 and after leaving Partick played for St Mirren, Ayr United and Albion Rovers where he was player-coach in 1996. He later coached the Plymouth Argyle youth team and was appointed as Director of Football at Plymouth College.

In November 2006 he was assisting Ian Atkins on a non-contract basis at Torquay United. On November 28, 2006 Byrne left his post at Plymouth College when he was named as the new Youth Team Manager at Swindon Town working under former Plymouth Argyle boss Paul Sturrock ^[1].

After Sturrock left Swindon to take the role of managing his previous club, Plymouth, Byrne took temporary charge of Swindon. It is rumoured that Byrne will be rejoining Sturrock at some point. ^[2]