John Beresford (footballer)

For other people named John Beresford, see John Beresford (disambiguation).

John Beresford
MBE
Personal information
Full name John Beresford[1]
Date of birth (1966-09-04) 4 September 1966 (age 58)[1]
Place of birth Sheffield, England
Height 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)[2]
Position(s) Left back[1]
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1983–1986 Manchester City 0 (0)
1983–1984 → Finn Harps (loan) 0 (0)
1986–1989 Barnsley 88 (5)
1989–1992 Portsmouth 107 (8)
1992–1998 Newcastle United 179 (3)
1998–2001 Southampton 17 (0)
1999 → Birmingham City (loan) 1 (0)
2001–2002 Ossett Town
2002 Alfreton Town
2002 Halifax Town
Total 392 (16)
International career
1983–1984 England U17 16 (2)
1984–1985 England Youth 6 (1)
1985 England U20 3 (0)
1994 England B 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

John Beresford MBE (born 4 September 1966) is an English former professional footballer and sports television pundit.

As a player, he was a left back who notably played in the Premier League with Newcastle United and Southampton. His time at St James' Park saw him win the Football League First Division title in 1993, finishing runners-up in two Premier League seasons, as well as appearing in the 1998 FA Cup final. Initially coming through the Manchester City academy, he also spent time in the Football League with Barnsley, Portsmouth and Birmingham City, in Donegal, Republic of Ireland with Finn Harps, and with non-league sides Ossett Town, Alfreton Town and Halifax Town. He was a regular for England at youth levels[3] and was capped twice for England B.

Since retiring, he has largely worked as a pundit for ESPN. In 2017, he was awarded an MBE for his support for the "Show Racism the Red Card" campaign.

Playing career

Beresford was born in Sheffield, West Riding of Yorkshire.[1] In his professional footballing career, he played for Manchester City, Finn Harps, Barnsley, Portsmouth, Newcastle United, Southampton and Birmingham City.

He is best known for his spell at Newcastle between 1992 and 1998, with his attacking tendencies being crucial to "the Entertainers". During this time, Beresford formed a formidable partnership with the other full back, his doppelgänger Warren Barton. One of his highlights at Newcastle was scoring twice in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier against Croatia Zagreb in 1997.[4]

In a Premier League match against Aston Villa on 14 April 1996, Beresford was substituted after 25 minutes by manager Kevin Keegan after an argument between them that took place during play. The player later apologized for his behaviour, but did not play another game that season.[5] By the following campaign, he had won his place back in the team.

Beresford is also known for missing his spot kick in the 1992 FA Cup semi-final penalty shootout against Liverpool while playing for Portsmouth. Liverpool agreed to sign him after the end of that season, but he failed a medical evaluation and Keegan signed him for Newcastle instead.

Beresford won two England 'B' caps in 1994, against Northern Ireland 'B' and the Republic of Ireland 'B'.[6] He was also called up as cover for the senior England squad in March 1993.[7]

Personal life

In 2017, he was awarded an MBE for his educational work and supporting the "Show Racism the Red Card" campaign.[8]

Honours

Newcastle United

Individual

References

  1. ^ a b c d "John Beresford". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  2. ^ "John Beresford: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  3. ^ "Match results under 17 1982–2010". England Football Online. Chris Goodwin & Glen Isherwood. 31 August 2024. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
    "Match results under 18 1980–1990". England Football Online. Chris Goodwin & Glen Isherwood. 9 October 2024. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
    "Match results under 20 1981–2019". England Football Online. Chris Goodwin & Glen Isherwood. 12 September 2024. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  4. ^ "Beresford's double delight for Dalglish". The Independent. 14 August 1997. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  5. ^ "Beresford apologises for outburst". independent.co.uk. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
  6. ^ Courtney, Barrie (22 May 2014). "England – International Results B-Team – Details". RSSSF. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  7. ^ "Football: Taylor looks to Deane's strength to solve striking problems: Blade runner called up by England as Premier League leaders reinforce squad with only major deal on transfer deadline day". The Independent. 26 March 1993. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  8. ^ a b "John Beresford awarded MBE". Theredcard.org. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  9. ^ a b Lynch. The Official P.F.A. Footballers Heroes. p. 149.