Liam Beckett

Liam Beckett MBE (born 17 July 1951) is a Northern Irish former football manager and player, who now works as a pundit and radio broadcaster.[1]

Liam Beckett
Personal information
Date of birth (1951-07-17) 17 July 1951
Place of birth Ballymoney, Northern Ireland
Position(s) Full back
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1971–1973 Crusaders
1973–1975 Drogheda United
1975–1979 Coleraine
1979 Crusaders
1979–1981 Coleraine
Teams managed
2000–2004 Ballymoney United
2004–2005 Cliftonville
2005–2008 Institute
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Playing career

Starting his career after a five-year plumbing apprenticeship, Beckett won an Irish League title and Carlsberg Cup with Crusaders, before transferring to Drogheda United in December 1973. In 1975 he moved to Coleraine, before re-joining Crusaders in October 1979. However, he only remained at the club for nine days, returning to Coleraine after buying licensed premises in his hometown of Ballymoney.[2] His playing career ended with Coleraine in 1981.

Managerial career

Beckett coached at Carrick Rangers in the early 1990s, before managing hometown club Ballymoney United, Cliftonville and Institute.[3]

Broadcasting career

Since leaving management behind, Beckett has frequently worked as a sports broadcaster on BBC Radio Ulster for Northern Irish football and motorcycle racing, particularly road racing. However since July 2018, he has focused solely on football due to a spate of accidents in road racing, particularly the death of William Dunlop, given his closeness to the Dunlop racing family. Beckett had also worked as a mechanic and served as mentor for William's father Robert Dunlop.[4]

Honours

In December 2017, Beckett was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours list for his service to the Northern Irish voluntary sector and sport.[5]

References
  1. "Under the Spotlight: Liam Beckett". Ballymoney and Moyle Times. JPI Media. 28 July 2008.
  2. "No deal". Belfast Telegraph. Independent News & Media. 5 November 1979. p. 20.
  3. "Beckett quits as Solitude manager". BBC Sport. 22 July 2005.
  4. "Liam Beckett: I'm putting brakes on racing after death of William Dunlop". Sunday Life. Independent News & Media. 23 July 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2019 – via Belfast Telegraph.
  5. "New Year Honours 2018: Beckett and Moss awarded MBEs". BBC Sport. 29 December 2017.
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