Ron Healey

Ron Healey
Personal information
Full nameRonald Healey
Date of birth30 August 1952
Place of birthManchester, England
Playing positionGoalkeeper
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1970–1974Manchester City30(0)
1972Coventry City (loan)3(0)
1973–1974Preston North End (loan)6(0)
1974–1982Cardiff City216(0)
National team
1977–1980Republic of Ireland2(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.
† Appearances (Goals).

Ronald "Ron" Healey (born 30 August 1952 in Manchester) is an English-born Irish former professional footballer.

Club career

Healey was a goalkeeper who began his career with Manchester City. Following an apprenticeship with City, he signed professional forms for the club in October 1969 and he made his debut at 17. As he was the understudy to the English international goalkeeper Joe Corrigan, he only played 30 times for City between 1970 and 1974 before moving to Cardiff City in March 1974, making his debut in a 2–2 draw with West Bromwich Albion. On his arrival he shared the no.1 spot with Bill Irwin before eventually managing to claim the spot as his own. During the 1975–76 season he helped the club to win promotion to Division Two.

During his time at Cardiff, Ron, when asked to find a young new goalkeeper, discovered a 12 year old Andy Dibble.

After a spell with Bangor City, he retired from the game through injury.

International career

He also played international football twice for the Republic of Ireland national football team. He kept a clean sheet on his international debut, a 0–0 draw with Poland on 24 April 1977 and made his only other appearance as a substitute for Gerry Peyton in a World Cup qualifier against England at Wembley Stadium in 1980.[1]

Coaching

Healey currently coaches goalkeepers, along with his son Scott, for coaching company Just 4 Keepers.[2]

Honours

Cardiff City
1975–76
1975–76
1976–77

References

  1. "England 2–0 Republic of Ireland". TheFA.com. Retrieved 2009-09-24.
  2. "Ron & Scott Healey". just4keepers.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-09-24.