As you may all be aware, myself and my good friend Joe Doherty, are working on a new book, that features every player to have played a competitive game for Finn Harps. This is a look at some of the players that will be featured in the book.
The two photographs pictured date from the Peter Hutton Testimonial which took place on 26 June 1977 in Finn Park. Fran Fields, working with Peter Hutton, managed to get what was virtually a full international side to play in the fixture. Unfortunately, they were unable to use the title of Ireland but were titled the “Paddy Mulligan Select”. The Harps side included two guest players, both from Coleraine F.C. Tony Hutton, who was Peter’s brother, and later played for Harps during the middle eighties and Des Dickson, who was one of the top strikers in the Irish League. The Select side included many household names including Liam Brady, Dave Langan, Ray Tracey, John Giles and Don Givens.
The Harps team-line up was Back Row: Declan Forbes (trainer – and a former Harps player), Declan McDowell, Des Dickson, Charlie Ferry, Jim Sheridan, Eddie Mahon, Tony Hutton, John Duffy, Donal O’Doherty. Front Row Jim Smith, Peter Hutton, Joe Healy, Tony O’Doherty, Joe Logan and Jimmy McGroarty.
The game itself ended in a highly entertaining three goals all draw. The attendance was described as “a fair-sized crowed. Des Dickson hit two goals for Harps and Terry Harkin got the other, whilst the scorers for the select side were Don Givens, John Givens and Liam Brady. Terry Conroy was also sent off for the Select side at a time when they were leading by three goals to one, along with Tony Hutton.
Peter joined Finn Harps in March 1970 from Crusaders. He had previously had a spell at Coleraine. He appeared in Harps Dublin City Cup win in 1972, the FAI Cup win in 1974, holds three runners up medals in the League, two League Cup runners up medals and played in all Harps European adventures. Peter was given a testimonial by the club in 1977 but his career was brought to a premature end when he was alleged to have headbutted a referee during a game in Dalymount Park in 1978. Peter received a life ban which ended his senior career. This was later rescinded to five years.
Teams Finn Harps Mahon, T. Hutton, Sheridan, T. O’Doherty, P. Hutton, Logan, Duffy, McGroarty, Healy, Dickson, Ferry. Subs (H-t) Harper, Stevenson, McDowell, Craig, Harkin, Smith, D O’Doherty for Mahon, Healy, Logan, Duffy, P. Hutton, Sheridan, and Ferry.
Select Side Paddy Roche (Man Utd), Dave Langan (Derby Co.), John Givens,(Millwall), Paddy Mulligan (West Brom), Mick Martin (West Brom), Liam Brady (Arsenal), Denis Clarke (Man City), Terry Conroy (Stoke City), Ray Tracey (West Brom), John Giles (West Brom) and Don Givens (QPR).To be a subscriber to “We Are the Harps”, and receive your copy of the book on launch costs €25 (if collecting the book) or €30* (to have the book posted directly to you).
Payment can be forwarded via Revolut to @joe5lid or by bank transfer to IE95REVO99036048019264. Please include name and location (eg. Joe Soap, Letterkenny) as you would like it to appear in the book when sending your payment.
*Please email your name/address for postal delivery to [email protected] once your payment has been sent.