Frank Stapleton – Arsenal, Manchester United & Ireland

Frank Stapleton is one of the most well-known Irish footballers of all time, having played over 650 games for Arsenal and Manchester United combined. He was known as one of the best forwards in England during his time at Arsenal and Manchester United.

Frank Stapleton has 71 Ireland caps and scored 20 goals for his country, which made him Ireland’s all-time leading scorer until he was surpassed by Niall Quinn in 2001. Stapleton captained Ireland at Euro ’88.

Early Life

Frank Stapleton was born on 10th July 1956 and grew up in Artane, Dublin, Ireland. Stapleton signed for Arsenal as a youth player when he was just 16.

Arsenal

Frank Stapleton made his Arsenal first-team debut in 1975. A powerful centre-forward, Stapleton was one of the best strikers around and regularly topped Arsenal’s scoring charts. Stapleton played in three successive FA Cup finals for Arsenal, scoring the second goal in the Gunners’ 3-2 victory against Manchester United in 1979 in the ‘Five Minute Final’ against Manchester United in 1979.

Stapleton played amongst a number of Irish Arsenal players in his time at Arsenal, including Liam Brady, David O’Leary and John Devine. He was Arsenal’s player of the season in 1977 and 1980. Irish players won Arsenal’s Player of the Season award for five years in succession, as Brady won it in 1976, 1978 and 1979.

Stapleton scored 108 goals in 300 appearances for Arsenal, before leaving Highbury to sign for Manchester United in 1981. His contract was up at Arsenal and negotiations over a new deal broke down. Stapleton could get more money elsewhere, while he was also concerned about the lack of ambition that Arsenal showed. The Bosman Ruling, which allows players to move on from clubs when their contracts expire, was not in place at the time. Stapleton’s transfer went to a tribunal and Manchester United ended up paying £900,000 for him. Stapleton was one of the best forwards in the league and his signing was a big coup for Manchester United, while it was a big blow for Arsenal to lose him to one of their rivals.

Frank Stapleton was disliked by many Arsenal fans after the move, with accusations of greed being thrown at him. However, a poll on Arsenal’s website in 2007 named Stapleton as 47th in the Gunners’ top 50 players of all time.

Manchester United

Frank Stapleton signed for Manchester United in August 1981, signing for manager Ron Atkinson.

Stapleton won two FA Cups with Manchester United in 1983 and 1985. Frank Stapleton became the first player to score in the FA Cup final with two different clubs when he scored in a 2-2 draw with Brighton in 1983, having scored for Arsenal in 1979. The 1983 final went to a replay, which Manchester United won 4-0. Manchester United also won the 1985 FA Cup, beating Everton 1-0 in the final at Wembley. Stapleton started all three finals.

Stapleton played 288 games for Manchester United, scoring 78 goals.

After Manchester United

Frank Stapleton moved around a bit after leaving Manchester United in 1987. He first signed for Ajax, but the move failed to live up to expectations. He left after making just six appearances, scoring one goal. A loan to Anderlecht didn’t work out either and Stapleton again moved, once again on loan, to Derby before spending a season in France with Le Havre.

Two seasons with Blackburn Rovers between 1989 and 1991 offered the most stability after an indifferent couple of years. Stapleton scored 13 goals in 81 games at Ewood Park. The Irishman also turned out at Aldershot, Huddersfield and Bradford, being player-manager for the latter. Stapleton was sacked by Bradford in 1994 and finished his career at Brighton, where he played two games in the 1994/95 season before retiring.

In 1996, Stapleton managed New England Revolution in the MLS. He also coached at Bolton in 2003/04, when Sam Allardyce brought him in to work with the club’s strikers. Ray Wilkins brought Stapleton in to be his Assistant Manager with Jordan in 2014.

Republic of Ireland

Frank Stapleton won 71 Ireland caps and scored 20 goals for his country. He scored his first goal in his Ireland debut against Turkey in 1976. Stapleton’s final goal came against Malta in 1990. Stapleton played, and scored, in Ireland’s biggest win of all time, in an 8-0 win against Malta at Dalymount Park in 1983.

Ireland qualified for Euro ’88, which was the first time they ever qualified for a major tournament. Stapleton had a big part to play in that qualification campaign as he scored in a 2-2 draw away to Belgium, as well as in a 2-1 home win against Luxembourg. Stapleton, with his vast experience of English top-flight football, captained Ireland to Euro ’88. He was captain for the famous 1-0 win against England, when Ronnie Whelan scored the only goal.

Stapleton was part of the Ireland squad that qualified for their first World Cup in 1990. He was part of the squad and travelled to the tournament but didn’t play.

Frank Stapleton – Video

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