Andy Blair (footballer)
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | 18 December 1959 | ||
Place of birth | Kirkcaldy, Scotland | ||
Playing position | Midfielder | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1978–1981 | Coventry City | 93 | (6) |
1981–1984 | Aston Villa | 33 | (0) |
1983 | → Wolverhampton Wanderers (loan) | 10 | (0) |
1984–1986 | Sheffield Wednesday | 58 | (3) |
1986–1988 | Aston Villa | 21 | (1) |
1987–1988 | → Barnsley (loan) | 6 | (0) |
1988–1989 | Northampton Town | 3 | (0) |
Total | 224 | (10) | |
National team | |||
1980–1982 | Scotland U21[1] | 5 | (2) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. |
Andy Blair (born 18 December 1959) is a Scottish former footballer, who spent his career in English football. The highlight of his career was playing in the Villa team that beat Barcelona 3-0 at Villa Park to win the European Super Cup.
Career
Born in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Blair grew up in Bedworth, Warwickshire, and was educated at Nicholas Chamberlaine School in the town. He made his league debut for Coventry City, whom he had joined as an apprentice, on 28 October 1978 in a 2-1 win against Birmingham City. He also played top-flight football at Aston Villa (in two separate spells) and Sheffield Wednesday, respectively, and on loan at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
In November 1984, while playing for Sheffield Wednesday against Luton Town, he achieved the unusual distinction of being the first player to ever score a hat-trick of penalties in the League Cup.[2]
He also appeared for Barnsley and Northampton Town before playing in Malta for Naxxar Lions later returning to England to play for a number of non-league teams, including Kidderminster Harriers. In 1989 he opened a small chain of self-named shops across Coventry, selling sports clothing, sports goods, and school uniforms. The business was acquired by Sporting Success Ltd in 2007 and the stores continue to trade in 2012[3] He is currently working as a scout for Stoke City.
Personal life
Andy's son, Matty, also played for Kidderminster Harriers, and currently plays for League Two side Fleetwood Town.
Career honours
As a player
- Aston Villa
Winner
- 1981/82 European Cup
References
- ↑ "Andrew Blair". www.fitbastats.com. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
- ↑ "Sheffield Wednesday Official Website". 12 June 2007.
- ↑ : Sporting Success Ltd on Facebook.