Eric McManus (born 14 November 1950) is a Northern Irish retired footballer who played for Coleraine, Coventry City, Notts County, Stoke City, Lincoln City, Bradford City, Middlesbrough, Peterborough United, Tranmere Rovers and Boston United.
Career McManus was born in Limavady and played for Coleraine before joining English club Coventry City in 1969. He failed to break into the first team at Highfield Road making just seven appearances in three seasons. He joined Notts County in the summer of 1972 and played in four matches in 1972–73 as the Magpies finished in 2nd place earning promotion to the Second Division. He became the regular number one at Meadow Lane making 265 appearances before joining Stoke City in the summer of 1979. At the Victoria Ground McManus was second choice behind Peter Fox and so spent the 1979–80 out on loan at Lincoln City and did not play at all in 1980–81. In 1981–82 McManus played in four matches when Fox was unavailable.
He joined Bradford City in August 1982 where he made 139 appearances in three seasons at Valley Parade. Whilst at Bradford, he won the Third Division title in 1984–85. On the last day of that successful season his day was to turn into a nightmare when 56 spectators were killed in a horrendous stand fire while playing Lincoln City. Out of favour in 1985–86, McManus spent time out on loan at Middlesbrough (making two appearances) and Peterborough United (making 18 appearances) before leaving permanently to join Tranmere Rovers. He was second choice to Billy O'Rourke in 1986–87 making five appearances and later went on to play for non-league Boston United. He was head of youth scouting at Walsall, until he left on 31 October 2008.
Career statistics Source:
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsCoventry City1969–70First Division20000000201970–71First Division20000010301971–72First Division2000000020Total6000001070Notts County1972–73Third Division40000000401973–74Second Division3400000003401974–75Second Division2502000002701975–76Second Division4001050004601976–77Second Division4201030304901977–78Second Division4203020805501978–79Second Division420203030500Total2290901301402650Stoke City1979–80First Division00000000001980–81First Division00000000001981–82First Division4000000040Total4000000040Lincoln City (loan)1979–80Fourth Division210000000210Bradford City1982–83Third Division2704060304001983–84Third Division4602020205201984–85Third Division4003040004701985–86Second Division0000000000Total113090120501390Middlesbrough (loan)1985–86Second Division2000000020Peterborough United (loan)1985–86Fourth Division180000000180Tranmere Rovers1986–87Fourth Division3000200050Career Total39601802702004610
A. The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals in the Anglo-Scottish Cup, Football League Group Cup, Football League Trophy Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.
Honours Notts County Football League Third Division runner-up: 1972–73
Bradford City 1972–73 champions: 1984–85
References
External links