Jimmy Conway (footballer)


James Patrick Conway was an Irish international association footballer who played professionally in Ireland, England and the United States. He earned 20 caps for the Republic of Ireland national football team, playing mainly as a midfielder, and coached extensively at the professional and collegiate levels in the United States.

Player

Professional

Born in Dublin, Conway began his career with Stella Maris. From there he moved to Bohemians in 1964 as a senior in his home city. In 1966, he moved to Fulham. A midfielder or winger, he spent ten years at Craven Cottage, scoring 67 times in 314 League games before a £30,000 fee brought him north to join Manchester City in August 1976. He was a member of the Fulham side that reached the 1975 FA Cup Final. He played with his brother John at Fulham and his brother Tom also played professionally. Having played just 13 times for City, scoring the winning goal in the final game of the season against Coventry City when Manchester City came second to Liverpool in 1977, he moved to the Portland Timbers of the North American Soccer League for £10,000 on 17 January 1978. He spent three seasons with the Timbers.

International

At the international level, Conway earned 20 caps for the Republic of Ireland.

Manager

In 1980, Conway became a player-coach with the Portland Timbers. In 1982, he became the head coach of the Pacific University men's team. In 1988, he became the first collegiate head men's soccer coach in Oregon State University history. He coached the Beavers from 1988 to 1996, and compiled a 97-89-13 record at the helm. In November 2000, he became an assistant coach with the Portland Timbers of the USL First Division.
His son, Paul also had a professional career.