Full name Ronald Healey 1970–1974 Manchester City Name Ron Healey | Playing position Role Footballer Years Team Position Goalkeeper | |
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Date of birth (1952-08-30) 30 August 1952 (age 63) | ||
Place of birth Manchester, England | ||
Ronald "Ron" Healey (born 30 August 1952) is a former Republic of Ireland international footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
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Club career
Healey was a goalkeeper who began his career with Manchester City. Following an apprenticeship with City, he signed professional forms for the club in October 1969 and he made his debut at 17. As he was the understudy to the English international goalkeeper Joe Corrigan, he only played 30 times for City between 1970 and 1974 before moving to Cardiff City in March 1974, making his debut in a 2–2 draw with West Bromwich Albion. On his arrival he shared the no.1 spot with Bill Irwin before eventually managing to claim the spot as his own. During the 1975–76 season he helped the club to win promotion to Division Two.
During his time at Cardiff, Ron, when asked to find a young new goalkeeper, discovered a 12-year-old Andy Dibble.
After a spell with Bangor City, he retired from the game through injury.
International career
He also played international football twice for the Republic of Ireland national football team. He kept a clean sheet on his international debut, a 0–0 draw with Poland on 24 April 1977 and made his only other appearance as a substitute for Gerry Peyton in a World Cup qualifier against England at Wembley Stadium in 1980.
Coaching
Healey currently coaches goalkeepers, along with his son Scott, for coaching company Just 4 Keepers.