William James O'Rourke (2 April 1960 – 28 January 2002) was an English professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He played in The Football League for four clubs.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | William James O'Rourke | ||
| Date of birth | 2 April 1960 | ||
| Place of birth | Nottingham, England | ||
| Date of death | 28 January 2002 (aged 41) | ||
| Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1976–1978 | Burnley | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1978–1984 | Burnley | 14 | (0) |
| 1983 | → Blackpool (loan) | 6 | (0) |
| 1984 | Chester City | 5 | (0) |
| 1984–1987 | Blackpool | 92 | (0) |
| 1986 | → Tranmere Rovers (loan) | 15 | (0) |
| 1987–1988 | Tranmere Rovers | 38 | (0) |
| Total | 170 | (0) | |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Playing career edit
O'Rourke began his career as an apprentice with Burnley, with whom he turned professional in February 1978. His debut came at QPR in October 1979, in a match shown on Match of the Day.[1] Burnley lost 7–0, with O'Rourke leaving the pitch in tears;[1] however, his performance led to the Burnley Express naming him as his side's man of the match.[1]
He went on to make 13 more league appearances for the Clarets before joining Blackpool on loan in August 1983, followed by a move to Chester City in March 1984. Just five appearances later he was back at Blackpool, this time on a permanent basis, playing every league game in the next two seasons. He was voted Player of the Year in his first full season.[2]
In September 1986, O'Rourke joined Tranmere Rovers on loan, making a permanent switch to Prenton Park the following February. He remained with the club the following season, before leaving Football League circles. He then joined ICI Thornton.[3]
Honours edit
Blackpool
- Football League Fourth Division runners-up: 1984–85
Death edit
O'Rourke died following a brain haemorrhage on 28 January 2002.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c d "Obituaries". The London Clarets. Archived from the original on 11 November 2007. Retrieved 23 January 2008.
- ^ Gillatt, Peter (30 November 2009). Blackpool FC On This Day: History, Facts and Figures from Every Day of the Year. Pitch Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-1-905411-50-4.
- ^ "Tranmere Rovers 1946/47-2006/07". Neil Brown. Retrieved 23 January 2008.