Tributes paid to former Wellington Town and Telford United goalkeeper Bobby Irvine after death

Tributes have been paid to former Wellington Town and Telford United goalkeeper Bobby Irvine, who has died aged 84.

Irvine was a well-known figure in Shropshire, having represented Wellington and Telford during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Born in 1942, Irvine won eight international caps for Northern Ireland between 1962 and 1965, while also playing for Linfield and Stoke City.

Irvine joined Wellington from Altrincham in December 1966 and enjoyed a lengthy spell with the club until 1974, making 345 appearances.

He was an integral part of the Lilywhites side that featured in the first two FA Trophy finals, winning the competition on their second Wembley appearance in 1971.

The goalkeeper also collected a Southern League Cup winner’s medal during the 1970/71 season.

A statement from AFC Telford United read: “We extend our sympathies and send our warmest best wishes, principally to Bobby’s family and to all those who counted him as a friend or recall him as a colleague who played the game we all love.

“Bobby’s contribution to our history means his name will always be recalled with respect and affection, and we will honour him fully when we come together again in the 2026/27 season.

“Thank you, Bobby, and rest in peace.”

In an obituary, the Irish Football Association highlighted one of Irvine’s finest performances for his country, which came in May 1963 when he produced a string of outstanding saves in Bilbao to help Northern Ireland earn a memorable 1-1 draw against Spain in the European Championship.

The goalkeeper enjoyed considerable success with Linfield at club level. After joining the club in 1957, he won three Irish League titles and three Irish Cups, and played an important role in the 1961/62 side that achieved the remarkable feat of winning seven trophies in a single season.

Those performances earned him a move to Stoke, where he spent three years before later featuring for Altrincham and Wellington/Telford, where he concluded his playing career.

Bobby’s younger brother, former Northern Ireland striker Willie Irvine, died in July last year.

The brothers represented Northern Ireland together on three occasions at senior international level.

Irish FA President, Colin McKendry, said: “Bobby Irvine was a distinguished servant to Northern Ireland football whose achievements for both club and country will be long remembered.

“He was part of a golden era for Linfield and represented Northern Ireland with great pride and distinction. On behalf of the Irish FA, I extend our deepest sympathies to Bobby’s family, friends and all who knew him.”