Liam Beckett

Liam Beckett MBE (born 17 July 1951) is a former Northern Irish 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
Playing 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, he 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 spate of accidents in motorcycle 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]

In December 2017, Beckett was appointed an MBE in the Queen's 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. 28 July 2008.
  2. "No deal". Belfast Telegraph. 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". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  5. "New Year Honours 2018: Beckett and Moss awarded MBEs". BBC Sport. 29 December 2017.
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