Richard Eyre (footballer)

Richard Paul Eyre (born 15 September 1976) is an English former footballer who played 62 league games in the Football League for Port Vale and Macclesfield Town between 1995 and 2001. The midfielder then went on to play non-League football for Kidsgrove Athletic, Hyde United, Leek Town, and Congleton Town. He helped Kidsgrove to top the North West Counties Football League in 2001–02.

Richard Eyre
Personal information
Full name Richard Paul Eyre[1]
Date of birth (1976-09-15) 15 September 1976 (age 48)
Place of birth Stockport, England
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
Port Vale
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1995–2001 Port Vale 48 (1)
2001 Macclesfield Town 14 (0)
2002 Kidsgrove Athletic
2002 Hyde United 10 (1)
2002–2004 Kidsgrove Athletic
2004–2005 Leek Town 18 (2)
2005–2008 Kidsgrove Athletic
2008 Congleton Town 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

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Eyre began his career as a trainee with Port Vale, turning professional in June 1995. He made one First Division appearance under John Rudge in 1997–98, as a late substitute in a 3–1 defeat to Ipswich Town at Vale Park on 20 December. He featured eleven times in 1998–99, becoming a regular in the first team after Brian Horton was appointed as manager in January.[3] He scored his first senior goal against Sheffield United in a 3–2 win at Bramall Lane on 23 November 1999, and finished the 1999–2000 relegation campaign with 33 appearances to his name. He played just six Second Division games in 2000–01, and switched to Macclesfield Town in August 2001.[4] He made 14 appearances for the Third Division club in 2001–02. However, after learning that his contract would not be renewed by new boss David Moss,[5] he left Moss Rose that December and joined Kidsgrove Athletic in March 2002. He helped Athletic to the North West Counties Football League title in 2001–02.

He joined Hyde United in August 2002, scoring two goals in eleven stars and three substitute appearances.[6] He rejoined Kidsgrove two months later. They finished 19th in the Northern Premier League Division One in 2002–03, and last in 2003–04. In June 2004 he joined Leek Town.[7] His final game for Leek was against Kidsgrove, who re-signed Eyre for a second time shortly after the match, which they lost 5–0.[8] Kidsgrove finished 10th in 2004–05, 17th in 2005–06, 8th in 2006–07, and 17th in 2007–08. He retired in May 2008.[9] However, he came out of retirement in November to play for Congleton Town.

Career statistics

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Source:[10][11][6]

Club Season Division League FA Cup Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Port Vale 1997–98 First Division 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
1998–99 First Division 11 0 0 0 0 0 11 0
1999–2000 First Division 30 1 1 0 2 0 33 1
2000–01 Second Division 6 0 0 0 2 0 8 0
Total 48 1 1 0 4 0 53 1
Macclesfield Town 2001–02 Third Division 14 0 0 0 2 0 16 0
Hyde United 2002–03 Northern Premier League 10 1 2 1 2 0 14 2
Leek Town 2004–05 Northern Premier League
Premier Division
18 2 5 1 4 1 27 4

Honours

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Kidsgrove Athletic

References

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  1. ^ Barry J. Hugman (1998). The PFA Premier and Football League Players' Records 1946–1998. Queen Anne Press. p. 176. ISBN 1-85291-585-4.
  2. ^ "FootballSquads – Port Vale – 2000/01". footballsquads.co.uk. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  3. ^ "Port Vale pen pictures". BBC Sport. 18 April 2001. Retrieved 17 May 2009.
  4. ^ "Silkmen snap up quintet". BBC Sport. 7 August 2001. Retrieved 17 May 2009.
  5. ^ "Silkmen reward Wilson". BBC Sport. 17 January 2002. Retrieved 17 May 2009.
  6. ^ a b "Hyde United Football Club: Database". hydeunited.com. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  7. ^ "Ogden wins race for Eyre". NonLeagueDaily. 17 June 2004. Archived from the original on 30 August 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2009.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  8. ^ "Eyre helps Leek beat 'Grove and then joins them!". NonLeagueDaily. 14 January 2005. Archived from the original on 30 August 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2009.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  9. ^ "Eyre calls it a day at just 31". NonLeagueDaily. 13 May 2008. Archived from the original on 30 August 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2009.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  10. ^ Richard Eyre at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
  11. ^ "PlayerStats – LeekTownSE". leektown.net. Retrieved 11 April 2022.