Full name John Andrew Crossan Name Johnny Crossan Playing position Role Football player | Years Team Height 1.73 m Position Forward | |
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Date of birth (1938-11-29) 29 November 1938 (age 77) Place of birth Derry, Northern Ireland | ||
John Andrew Crossan (born 29 November 1938), commonly known as Jobby or Johnny Crossan, is a Northern Irish author, radio sports analyst, entrepreneur, and former football player. His brother Eddie was also a player.
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Club career
Crossan began his career playing for Derry City, where he played as an inside forward. His talent was spotted by several leading English clubs, including Arsenal FC and Sunderland FC. When the latter made a substantial offer, Derry City offered Jobby a payment deal which he rejected, offering his own. When the Sunderland negotiations broke down, Derry City dropped Jobby, who signed for Coleraine. Derry City, still aggrieved by Jobby's actions, reported themselves to the Football League authorities for technical breaches of regulations, thus ensuring that Jobby would face disciplinary action.
In January 1959, a commission of inquiry imposed small fines on Derry and Coleraine, but banned Jobby from all forms of football for life. A partial lifting of the ban was allowed following an appeal, in May 1959 the inside forward signed for Dutch Champions Sparta Rotterdam, where he was first called up to the Northern Ireland squad.
He went from there to Standard Liège, where he played in the semi-final of the European Cup against Real Madrid. In 1963, Jobby returned to football in the UK (following the lifting of his 'life-time' ban) when he was signed by Sunderland, with whom he made it to the old First Division. He then signed for Manchester City who were playing in the old Second Division. As team captain, he helped them make their way into the old First Division, before being sold to Middlesbrough after a loss of form following a car crash and other health problems.
International career
Internationally, he was capped 24 times by Northern Ireland and scored 10 goals.
International goals
Scores and results list Northern Ireland's goal tally first.
Management
After his playing days, Jobby had a spell in management and took the top job at League of Ireland club, Sligo Rovers. He resigned soon after.
Media career
He also commentates for BBC Radio Foyle when they cover Derry City games.