Michael "Mick" Kearns (born 26 November 1950) is a former professional footballer and Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper, who is currently the Community Director at Walsall Football Club.[1]
Born in Banbury, Oxfordshire, he qualified to play for the Republic of Ireland through his Irish ancestry and went on to represent his country 19 times. A goalkeeper, his international debut at the age of 19 was on 6 May 1970 as a substitute in a 2–1 defeat against Poland. He made his 18th and final international appearance on 21 November 1979 in a 1–0 defeat against Northern Ireland.
During his club career Mick played for Oxford United from 1969 to 1972 before joining Walsall where he made 249 appearances from 1973 to 1979. After a spell with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Mick returned to Walsall to close out his career, making a further 26 appearances between 1982 and 1985.
Mick's younger brother Ollie Kearns was also a successful professional footballer, but as a goal scorer not keeper. He enjoyed a high-scoring League career through the 70s and 80s with Reading, Walsall, Hereford and Wrexham; then scored the newly founded Rushden & Diamonds first-ever goal. Both still live local to their home town of Banbury.