David Irving

David Irving (born 10 September 1951) is an English football manager and former player who played as a forward. Playing career Irving started his professional playing career with Workington AFC before signing for Everton in the old English Football League First Division for £30,000 – the highest youth transfer fee of the time. Later on he moved to Sheffield United on loan and Oldham Athletic. In the mid-1970s he crossed the Atlantic to play in the United States for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1977–83). Whilst with the Strikers, he played alongside such legendary players as Gordon Banks, Gerd Müller, Teófilo Cubillas and George Best. He also played against footballers like Pelé and Franz Beckenbauer. After Fort Lauderdale, he featured for other American teams such as the Tulsa Roughnecks, the San Jose Earthquakes and the Atlanta Chiefs. He signed for Shamrock Rovers in October 1977. He made his debut on the 23rd at Milltown scoring against Drogheda United. He netted a hat trick at Galway on his fourth appearance and scored further goals against Home Farm and against St. Patrick's Athletic on his last appearance in the famous green and white Hoops. In total he played 16 times scoring six goals. Coaching career After retiring from professional football, Irving earned himself an FA coaching badge. He began his managerial career with Oulun Palloseura where he was the player/assistant manager for a season. He moved back to the United States in 1989 when he joined the Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1988–94) as the assistant coach, helping the Strikers to the Pro Soccer League National Championship title in 1989.