Michael Byrne

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Michael Byrne
0Full Name	Michael Patrick Byrne
0Date of Birth	1880
0Place of Birth	Bristol
0Position	Goalkeeper
0Chelsea career	1905-1906
0Debut	18 November 1905
0Games (goals)	5 (0)
0Other clubs	Bristol Rovers Southampton Glossop

Michael Patrick "Micky" Byrne was an English-born, Irish goalkeeper who played for Chelsea during the club's debut season, in addition to one appearance during 1906-07.

Before Chelsea

Byrne was born in Bristol and, after serving in the Irish Guards, joined Bristol Rovers of the Southern League in 1902. The following season he moved to join the Southern League champions, Southampton, as cover for George Clawley. He made his debut in a 2-0 victory over Swindon Town on 23 January 1904, and followed this with a clean sheet in the next match before Clawley's return. He made three further appearances (all victories, with two further clean sheets) before a move to Chelsea in August 1905, for their inaugural season in the Football League.

Chelsea career

With Sheffield United's experienced First Division and FA Cup-winner William "Fatty" Foulke also brought in, Byrne acted as back-up, and as with many of Chelsea's debut season reserve players, he made his first team debut in a 7-1 mauling in the FA Cup against Crystal Palace. The tie clashed with a Second Division match against Burnley, for which the first team turned out, and won. Byrne went on to make 3 league appearances that season, before making his final season in the opening match of the 1906-07 season; a 9-2 thrashing of Glossop. With Bob Whiting established himself as first choice goalkeeper thereafter, Byrne signed for Glossop in 1907, where he made eleven Second Division appearances before retiring in 1908.

Chelsea statistics

Season	League		FA Cup		Total
	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
1905-06	3	0	1	0	4	0
1906-07	1	0	0	0	1	0
Total	5	0	0	0	5	0