Linighan: Andrew (Andy)

1984-1986 (Player Details)

Centre Half

Born: Hartlepool: 18-06-1962

Debut: v Notts County (a): 25-08-1984

6’4” 13st (1985)

Linighan joined Hartlepool United from Smith’s Dock in September 1980 and after four goals in one hundred and ten league games he was signed by Leeds United for £20,000 in May 1984. He was one of the tallest outfield players to play for Leeds and he came from a footballing family. Younger brother David had trials for Leeds in March 1985, after several years with Hartlepool and went on to play for Shrewsbury, Ipswich and Blackpool making over five hundred and twenty league appearances in total. While twin brothers Brian and John were on Sheffield Wednesday’s books but did not make the grade although Brian did play Non-League football. Both his father Brian and his Uncle Michael played for Darlington. Andy was an ever-present in his first season at Leeds and continued in a similar vein until Eddie Gray was sacked and Billy Bremner took over. It did not take Bremner long to bring in his own men and several former Gray regulars fell out of favour. Linighan was sold to Oldham Athletic in January 1986 for £55,000 and soon he was surrounded by former Leeds team mates, Denis Irwin and Tommy Wright who formed the neucleus of an excellent Latic team under Joe Royle and Andy Ritchie soon followed. Oldham reaped a useful profit when they sold him to Norwich City in March 1988 for £300,000, after a proposed move to Crystal Palace had fallen through. At Boundary Park he made one hundred and two appearances and scored six goals. He showed continuing improvement and was rewarded with an England “B” cap. He scored eight goals in one hundred and six games at Carrow Road. He was transferred to Arsenal in July 1990 for £1.3 million. He sometimes struggled to make headway at Highbury because of the presence of England duo Tony Adams and Steve Bould, as well as another England international in Martin Keown, but became the toast of the North Bank when he netted the Gunners’ late FA Cup Final replay extra-time against Sheffield Wednesday in 1993, Arsenal triumphing 2-1 after the first meeting finished 1-1. He made one hundred and fifty-six appearances, including twenty-one off the bench, and scored six goals while at Highbury. He joined Crystal Palace during the 1996-97 season for £110,000 and his steady performance at the back combined with some vital goals helped secure promotion to the Premiership, albeit via the play-offs. After their relegation the following season and Terry Venables' arrival as manager, one wondered for Linighan's future at Selhurst Park. However following the transfer of Marc Edworthy to Coventry, he was appointed club captain. By the end of the 1997/98 season, he had made forty-five league appearances for the Palace, scoring two goals. Palace's dire financial situation at the beginning of 1999 made it likely that he would be sold to balance the books. Indeed, this almost happened on Transfer Deadline Day 1999 but instead Linighan joined QPR on loan until the end of the season where he played seven League games, three of which were as a substitute. No less than five players departed Selhurst Park that day on loan to reduce the club's wage bill. Although Andy returned to Selhurst Park at the end of the season, he was transfer listed with Steve Coppell hoping to cut ties with Linighan even though he had a year remaining on his contract. Despite being voted Player of the Year for 1999/2000, his future at Selhurst Park remained uncertain as he was out of contract in the summer of 2000. Palace's new owner Simon Jordan invested heavily in the club in July 2000 enabling them to begin making purchases of players for the first time in two years. In addition, Linighan signed a one year extension to his contract on 21st July 2000. Following a bust up with Jordan over team selection whilst on a training camp in Spain in October 2000, he was sent home early and was looking for a new club possibly with a role in management. He made one hundred and twenty-nine appearances, of which eight were from the bench, and scored five goals for Palace. He hoped to extend his playing career to the end of the season and then turn to Coaching/Management. Andy's wish was quickly fulfilled as he joined Oxford United on 16th October 2000, making his debut the following day in a 0-0 draw with Luton. However, his wisdom was not enough to prevent Oxford from being relegated to Division Three in April 2001. He parted company with United on 14th May 2001 after fourteen starts and also one from the bench. In June 2001, Andy signed up with Ryman Leaguers St Albans City but in early September 2001, the Saints announced that his involvement on the playing field would be minimal as was establishing his plumbing business. However he remained on the books of St Albans until he joined Oxford United as a youth coach, but left to concentrate on his plumbing business.