There was some sad news in the world of football last night, with it being announced that former Republic of Ireland international Joe Kinnear had passed away at the age of 77 after a long battle with dementia.
Born in Dublin before moving to London during his childhood, Kinnear would earn 26 caps for Ireland in the 1960s and 1970s. At club level, he would spend the vast majority of his career at Spurs before finishing up with a short spell at Brighton.
Of course, many probably remember him more for his exploits in management.
Kinnear would rise to prominence while in charge of Wimbledon in the 1990s, helping them maintain their place in the Premier League throughout the decade before stepping aside in 1999. He would go on to manage the likes of Luton Town, Nottingham Forest, and have a controversial spell at Newcastle.
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Joe Kinnear went back to Ireland with FA Cup bonus
Joe Kinnear was known as one of the biggest characters in the game, especially during his time at Wimbledon. It seems that extended right back to the start of his playing career, when he would win an FA Cup with Spurs as a teenager.
In his book The Glory Game first published in 1972, journalist Hunter Davies would recall how a young Joe Kinnear spent his bonus after that cup final. Looking at it, it's clear to see what his family and Irish roots meant to him.
How Joe Kinnear spent his bonus money after winning the FA Cup with Spurs as a 20 year old. pic.twitter.com/STxMZqFUVa
— Gerard Farrell (@gerrytastic) April 7, 2024
In 1967, still just a youngster, fresh to the first team, Joe was in the Spurs team which won the Cup final at Wembley against Chelsea.
He was only nineteen, the youngest player on the pitch. He was voted the Man of the Match by many newspapers.
The sudden rush of money went to his head. His bonuses just for winning the Cup came to £2,500.
He gave £500 at once to his mother, gave each of his four sisters £30 and a complete new outfit, bought his grandmother in Dublin a TV and an armchair, bought himself a Corsair at £600 and then took the whole family of eight, including his grandmother, for a six-week holiday in Ireland till the rest of the money ran out.
'I couldn't get rid of it quick enough."
Joe Kinnear may have lost his Irish accent as the years went on, but he clearly had quite an affinity for his country.
He reportedly came close to being appointed as Republic of Ireland manager at one point, with the FAI seeking him out to succeed the departing Jack Charlton in 1996. However, a deal could not be agreed at the time.
Football has certainly lost one of its great characters.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
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