Phil O'Connor

Phil O'Connor (10 October 1953 – 23 September 1985) was a footballer who played as a midfielder for Australia.

Phil O'Connor
Personal information
Full name Philip Kelvin O'Connor
Date of birth (1953-10-10)10 October 1953
Place of birth Romford, England
Date of death 23 September 1985(1985-09-23) (aged 31)
Place of death Australia
Position(s) Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1970–1971 Southend United 0 (0)
Bexley United
1972–1975 Luton Town 2 (0)
1974–1975 → Lincoln City (loan) 4 (1)
1975 Balgownie Rangers
1976 Wollongong City
1977 St George
1980–1981 A.P.I.A. Leichhardt
1984–1985 Blacktown City
National team
1976–1984 Australia 20 (5)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17:10, 2 February 2008 (UTC)

He began his career as an apprentice with Southend United before dropping into the non-league ranks with Bexley United. In 1972, he returned to the Football League with Luton Town. After a loan spell with Lincoln City in the 1974–75 season, O'Connor emigrated to Australia. He quickly made his way into the Australia team, making his debut against Hong Kong on 11 August 1976[1] and going on to appear a total of 20 times scoring 5 goals, which included three appearances against England in 1983.[2]

A fee of $7,000 saw him move from St George to A.P.I.A. Leichhardt for the 1980 National Soccer League season, netting a 14th minute debut goal in the club's 2-1 over Adelaide City at Lambert Park (Leichhardt) on 9 March 1980.[3] After two seasons, he moved on to join Wollongong Wolves for the 1982 National Soccer League season.[4] On 23 September 1985, O'Connor died in a car accident when his bread van veered off the Appin Road and hit a tree, killing him instantly.[5][6]

References
  1. "Socceroo Internationals for 1976". OzFootball. Retrieved 7 February 2008.
  2. "Socceroo Internationals for 1983". OzFootball. Retrieved 7 February 2008.
  3. "New boy Phil a hero". The Sydney Morning Herald. 10 March 1980. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
  4. "Slickers looking at fourth title". The Sydney Morning Herald. 14 February 1982. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
  5. "Ex-Socceroo striker dies in car crash". The Sydney Morning Herald. 24 September 1985. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
  6. "Trans-Tasman rivalry is dead". The World Game. Special Broadcasting Service. 19 June 2001. Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 30 May 2009.
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