Liam Beckett (born 17 July 1951, Ballymoney, Northern Ireland) is a football manager and ex-footballer. During his football career he played most notably for Coleraine and Crusaders.
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He then embraced his managerial career with Ballymoney United F.C., where he completely transformed a team who were languishing at the foot of the Irish League Second Division to promotion to the First Division. His next mission assigned to him was saving Moyola Park F.C. from being relegated to the Second Division with just 8 games remaining; Liam achieved this on the final day of the season.
Recognition of his success in management echoed to the heights of Irish Premier League side Cliftonville FC who appointed him as manager in June 2004. Again, he was dealt a team who were faltering near the bottom of the league and lacking in confidence, however, he rebuilt a very strong side that progressed to a mid-table position in his first year. He left in July 2005 after a fall-out with his goalkeeper Paul Straney citing lack of boardroom support, particularly on his attempts to sign Robert Robinson to contest the goalkeeping position. Finally, he moved on to Institute F.C. on 22 November 2005, after the resignation of Pascal Vaudequin, with the side sitting in 14th place in the 16-team Carnegie Irish Premier League table. The team finished the season in 15th place. In the 2006-07 season, Beckett led the Londonderry outfit to the First Division title and promotion back into the Premier League at the first attempt. In April 2007, he was rewarded with a new 2-year contract.
Following a 3-2 home loss to Glenavon F.C., Beckett was involved in an altercation with a female supporter. According to the official club website, Mr Beckett was fined and warned about his future conduct. He said it was an unfortunate experience which he wanted to put behind him. Beckett resigned from Institute in March 2008 by mutual consent.
He currently holds an UEFA 'B' licence coaching qualification and is undergoing part B of the UEFA 'A' licence qualification which should be completed by the summer 2010.