Jack Diffin
Jack Diffin was an Irish international footballer and football manager. He played in goal for Belfast Celtic, Linfield, and Dartford, was capped once by his country, and briefly managed Port Vale.
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
Belfast Celtic | |||
Linfield | |||
Dartford | |||
National team | |||
1931 | Ireland | 1 | (0) |
Teams managed | |||
1944–1945 | Port Vale | ||
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only |
Playing career
Diffin played for Belfast Celtic, Linfield and Dartford. He was capped by Ireland in 1931. After retirement he set up a road haulage business.
Management career
Diffin became a Port Vale director in 1944 and appointed team manager in October of that year. David Pratt was appointed as manager in December 1944, but failed to gain a release from the Air Force and so never managed to be a manager to the Vale other than in name only.[1] Diffin remained the effective manager until August 1945, when Billy Frith was appointed. Diffin then concentrated on his board duties before being elected vice-chairman in 1946, finally stepping down in December 1957.[2]
Business career
Diffin ran a general drapery and boot merchants business in Belfast and also established a road haulage company in England.[3]
References
- Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. p. 239. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
- Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. p. 84. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
- Sherwin, Phil (2013). Men of Steele. Hanley, Staffordshire: Pass. p. 33. ISBN 978-0-9926579-1-8.