Steve McIlhargey
| File:McIlhargey.jpg | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Stephen McIlhargey | ||
| Position(s) | Goalkeeper (retired) | ||
Steve McIlhargey (born August 23, 1962 in Glasgow) is a retired Scottish professional goalkeeper. During his career, he played for Walsall, Rotherham, Chester City, Blackpool and Morecambe. He also represented Scotland at schoolboy level.
McIlhargey joined Blackpool from Walsall in the summer of 1989. He made his league debut in the opening game, against Wigan Athletic at Bloomfield Road on August 19, and kept a clean sheet in a goalless draw. His first season with the Seasiders wasn't a successful one, however: the club finished second-bottom of Division Three and were relegated (though McIlhargey only started 22 of the 46 games).
In the 1990/91 season, McIlhargey missed only two league games and kept seventeen clean sheets. Blackpool finished the campaign in fifth place, but missed out on promotion after losing to Torquay United in the playoff final.
The conclusion of the following season, 1991/92, was the moment for which he is best remembered. Blackpool made the Wembley playoff final for the second consecutive season, this time against Scunthorpe United. After 90 minutes, the score was tied at 1-1, and the match went to extra time and then a penalty shoot-out. It was in the latter that McIlhargey's save from Scotland internationalist Graham Alexander's penalty (see image, left), combined with Jason White's subsequent miss, sent the Seasiders into the new Division Two. In an act of sportsmanship, McIlhargey broke away from celebrating with his teammates and was the first to commiserate with White.
The Scot traded the Blackpool seaside for that of nearby Morecambe for the remaining decade of his playing career. He helped the Shrimps to secure their place in the Conference, and his league experience was crucial in their push for promotion.
In the years leading up to his retirement, McIlhargey became the Shrimps' back-up goalkeeper but was rarely named on the substitutes' bench, with manager Jim Harvey preferring to have five outfield players to choose from.
McIlhargey retired from playing in May 2004 but remains at Morecambe in the capacity of goalkeeping coach.
Honours
Blackpool
- Division Four play-off winner: 1991-92
Morecambe
- Northern Premier League runner-up (promotion): 1994-95
- Lancashire Cup winner: 1995-96
- Spalding Cup winner: 1997-98
References
- Calley, Roy: Blackpool: A Complete Record 1887-1992, Breedon Books Sport, 1992.