Kevin Sheedy

Irish international footballer and Everton legend who was born in Builth Wells

Born:

21 OCT 1959

Place of Birth:

Builth Wells

Biography:

Born in Builth Wells, footballer Kevin Sheedy collected 45 caps for the Irish Republic.

He started his career as a teenager with Hereford United followed by a short spell with Liverpool before switching to Everton for £100,000 in 1982.

The left-winger was instrumental in Everton's success in the 1980s, winning the FA Cup and League Championship double in 1984, the European Cup Winners' Cup Winners in 1985 and Football League again in 1987.

Internationally, he played in the 1990 World Cup for the Republic of Ireland as he felt that his Irish heritage gave him a better chance of success than playing for Wales. He made the choice when he was a 16-year-old player at Hereford and admits it wasn't easy:

"The decision I made weighed heavily on my mind at the time, I was torn between the two and it was a close decision. But I feel I made the right choice, because I played in a World Cup and a European Championship."

His most notable performance at international level came against England when he scored at Italia '90.

He left Goodison Park in 1992, joining Newcastle United and later played for Blackpool.

Since hanging up his football boots, he has been assistant manager at Tranmere and Hartlepool.

Read more about Kevin Sheedy's hometown in our Builth Wells Life pages.

Moment of Glory:

Scoring a goal against England in the Italia '90 World Cup.

Thanks to Terry from Hay on Wye for nominating Kevin Sheedy for our Hall of Fame and for writing up his profile.

your comments

MacDara From Aran Islands, Ireland
Although I am right footed myself, Kevin Sheedy's strike against England inspired me as a boy to practice my left foot shooting skills to the point that I was actually able to score lovely goals with both feet.Nár laga Dia thú a Chaoimhìn! - Translation - May God not weaken you Kevin.
Thu Jun 11 10:50:52 2009

Woodsy......Huyton
When he scored for Everton at Anfield with a free kick in front of the kop and then put two fingers up to them, LEGEND SHEEDS......
Wed Oct 15 10:09:24 2008

moonlight , night , IRAN
Oops again ! I am living in my world cup memories !I'm now 33.when I was a 15yo teenager,I watched world cup 1990. group F was full of drews.the opening game was ENG v IRE on 11 June in Cagliari.I predicated England's winning,but it was not true !Gary Lineker chested down a Chris Waddle pass and then forced the ball it into the net in the 9th minute. But it was the Irish who grew in stature and confidence as they piled on pressure . Peter Shilton, was beaten in the 73th minute after substitute Steve McMahon, with his first touch of the ball, lost control and watched in ang! uish as Kevin Sheedy whipped it off his toes and planted an instant left-foot drive into the net.what a fantastic equaliser!that scene was like a fantastic movie and I think Kevin Sheedy was like a superstar!!
Sun Sep 28 19:10:49 2008

Angharad Morgan Builth Wells
My father went to school with him and they always got in trouble together xx
Tue Jun 10 15:06:53 2008

Moonlight night from IRAN
I remember his goal equaliser against ENGLAND in world cup 1990, by his left leg in 73 Min. Mc Mahoon gifted ball to him and sheeds did not lose a good chance!
Tue Jun 3 16:18:26 2008

Glenys Price, Builth Wells
I remember Kevin as a baby sitting in his pram at The Plough Hotel, Builth Wells where his parents were proprieters. This was the local pub where farmers met on market day, every Monday, and I would pick up my husband-Roly Price and his dog Wallis, who always lay under the table waiting.
Mon Aug 13 09:38:35 2007

Mark Farmer
Kevin always looked a talent when he played at Lads Club Juniors in Hereford. And he never forgets the contribution Hereford made to his career.
Sat Apr 7 16:26:38 2007

Anthony Skeete from Liverpool
hate to be even more 'pedant' but Everton never missed out on the league in 1985 either sheedy's medals at everton are as follows: league title 1985,1987 fa cup 1984 european cup winners cup 1985 league runners up 1986 fa cup runners up 1985, 1986 and 1989! league cup runners up 1984 never saw the guy play apart from everton dvd's and its safe to say his left foot was a wand ;)
Sat Mar 11 01:03:29 2006

Paul, Cork, Ireland
LEDGE!!!
Mon Dec 5 21:39:43 2005

Michael Stamp from Ireland
Kevin's still very fondly remembered on this side of the pond too. I think that goal against England is many an Irishman's favouite footballing memory. I still can't believe Liverpool let him go to Everton. How good would we have been with him in the team. Everton get Sheedy and Beardsley and Liverpool get Barmby and Xavier. Typical.
Wed Oct 12 13:08:23 2005

John Duggan from Swansea.
Never realised that Kevin was a Welshman by birth.How come the Wales management team missed out on him?
Wed Aug 17 19:23:21 2005

Pete Squires Penyffordd Flintshire
Hate to be a pedant but Blues won FA Cup in 84 when the great Kevin was sadly injured. In 85 & 86 they narrowly missed the League & Cup double. Leaving that aside. Class in a Glass! What a midfielder would be worth who scored 90 odd goals for Everton in a much injury curtailed career! I remember a goal he got against Aston Villa and bloke near me swore Nigel Spink dived out of the way of it! Happy days...
Tue Jul 5 21:01:24 2005

Jamie, Ireland
A great player for Everton and Ireland thanks to that great left foot!
Fri Feb 25 13:34:17 2005

Chris, Flint
KEVIN SHEEDY..IPSWICH TOWN FAC QF 1985..THAT FREE KICK!! LEGENDARY!!
Thu Jan 20 17:43:37 2005

Gacina Bozidar from France
The man who was classic for football! I wrote a poem for him at football poets website and one point from there: KEVIN SHEEDY in all time Everton Eleven
Sun Aug 29 18:46:39 2004

Andy Lord from Carlisle
My all time favourite Everton player. A legend, thanks for the great times, Kevin!
Mon Feb 23 00:52:39 2004

Rolant Ellis from Aberystwyth
"Kevin Sheedy was one of the best, if not the best, midfield player in the League in the 1980s. If Wales had secured him we'd probably have turned a few of those near misses of the 1980s into successes."
Fri Oct 24 09:37:26 2003

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