#12878. The cross-border movement of Republic of Ireland-born footballers to Northern Ireland clubs, 1922-20XX

2022publication date
Proposal available till 15-12-2021
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Abstract:
This article examines the movement of Republic of Ireland-born players to Northern Ireland for professional football purposes after the partition of Ireland in 1921. It traces how this continued after the formation of the Free State League in Dublin and shows how a number of players used Belfast clubs to move to those of a higher level in Britain. However, it primarily focuses on movement to Northern Ireland from Dublin during the Troubles (1968–1998). In doing so, it draws on interviews with five Republic of Ireland-born players who made the decision to sign for clubs in Northern Ireland in the 1980s and 1990s. It examines the reasons why they made these moves, their concerns over security issues and it explores their relationships with players, managers and supporters at their new clubs. It will be shown that there were mixed experiences but the players generally felt welcomed by their new clubs.

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