Seamus O’Connell
From TheChels.info - The Chelsea Football Club Wiki
| Seamus O’Connell | |
| |
| Full Name | Seamus O’Connell |
| Date of Birth | 11 January 1930 |
| Place of Birth | Carlisle, England |
| Position | Forward |
| Chelsea career | 1954-1956 |
| Debut | 16 October 1954 |
| Games (goals) | 17 (12) |
| Other clubs | Queens Park Middlesbrough Bishop Aukland Crook Town Carlisle United |
Seamus O'Connell (born 11 January 1930) is an English former amateur forward who played for Chelsea between 1954 and 1956, contributing to the Blues' Championship-winning season in 1954-55. He also played in the Scottish Football League for Queens Park and in the Football League for Middlesbrough and Carlisle United.
Contents |
Before Chelsea
O'Connell was born in Carlisle. Of Irish ancestry, his cousin Sean O'Connell was an all-time great Gaelic footballer who played for Derry. O'Connell divided his playing time as an amateur with working for his family's cattle-farming business. He played for Scottish amateur club Queens Park, and made his English Football League debut for Middlesbrough on Boxing Day 1953, scoring in a 3-2 win against Newcastle United.
Chelsea career
O'Connell joined Chelsea in August 1954 and scored a hat-trick on his debut (one of only two Chelsea players to do this, the other being George Hilsdon) against Manchester United in October 1954, although his side still lost 6-5. The season was nonetheless a success for O'Connell and Chelsea, as he scored eight goals in eleven games and helped the club win their first League Championship. He remained with Chelsea for another season before returning to the amateur game, and ended his time at the club with 12 goals from 17 games.
After Chelsea
O'Connell was a three-time winner of the FA Amateur Cup, with Bishop Auckland in 1955 and 1956, and Crook Town in 1959. He also won four caps for the England amateurs.
Statistics
| Season | League | FA Cup | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |
| 1954-55 | 10 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 8 |
| 1955-56 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 4 |
| Total | 16 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 17 | 12 |
Goals
| # | Season | Date | Year | Competition | Opponent | Score | Result | Venue |
| 1 | 1954-55 | 16 October | 1954 | First Division | Manchester United | 1-1 | 5-6 | Stamford Bridge |
| 2 | 1954-55 | 16 October | 1954 | First Division | Manchester United | 4-6 | 5-6 | Stamford Bridge |
| 3 | 1954-55 | 16 October | 1954 | First Division | Manchester United | 5-6 | 5-6 | Stamford Bridge |
| 4 | 1954-55 | 27 December | 1954 | First Division | Arsenal | 1-1 | Stamford Bridge | |
| 5 | 1954-55 | 1 January | 1955 | First Division | Bolton Wanderers | 5-2 | Burnden Park | |
| 6 | 1954-55 | 8 January | 1955 | FA Cup | Walsall | 1-0 | 2-0 | Stamford Bridge |
| 7 | 1954-55 | 19 March | 1955 | First Division | Charlton Athletic | 2-0 | 2-0 | The Valley |
| 8 | 1954-55 | 23 March | 1955 | First Division | Cardiff City | 1-0 | 1-0 | Ninian Park |
| 9 | 1955-56 | 24 August | 1955 | First Division | Huddersfield Town | 2-0 | 3-1 | Leeds Road |
| 10 | 1955-56 | 27 August | 1955 | First Division | Arsenal | 1-0 | 1-1 | Highbury |
| 11 | 1955-56 | 3 September | 1955 | First Division | Portsmouth | 1-5 | Stamford Bridge | |
| 12 | 1955-56 | 11 February | 1956 | First Division | Manchester City | 2-2 | Maine Road |
