# Andy Linighan

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English footballer

Andy Linighan Personal information Full name Andrew Linighan[1] Date of birth (1962-06-18) 18 June 1962 (age 64) Place of birth Hartlepool, England Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[2] Position Defender Youth career 1979–1980 Smith's Dock Senior career* Years Team Apps (Gls) 1980–1984 Hartlepool United 110 (4) 1984–1986 Leeds United 66 (3) 1986–1988 Oldham Athletic 87 (6) 1988–1990 Norwich City 74 (6) 1990–1997 Arsenal 119 (5) 1997–2000 Crystal Palace 111 (5) 1998–1999 → Queen's Park Rangers (loan) 7 (0) 2000–2001 Oxford United 13 (0) 2001 St Albans City 4 (0) Total 591 (42) International career 1989-90 England B 4 (0) * Club domestic league appearances and goals

**Andrew Linighan** (born 18 June 1962) is an English former professional [footballer](/source/Association_football) who played as a [defender](/source/Defender_(association_football)) from 1980 until 2000, notably in the [Premier League](/source/Premier_League) for [Arsenal](/source/Arsenal_F.C.) and [Crystal Palace](/source/Crystal_Palace_F.C.).

He also played in the [Football League](/source/Football_League) for [Hartlepool United](/source/Hartlepool_United_F.C.), [Leeds United](/source/Leeds_United_F.C.), [Oldham Athletic](/source/Oldham_Athletic_A.F.C.), [Norwich City](/source/Norwich_City_F.C.), [Queens Park Rangers](/source/Queens_Park_Rangers_F.C.) and [Oxford United](/source/Oxford_United_F.C.) before finishing his career with Non-league [St Albans City](/source/St_Albans_City_F.C.).

## Career

Linighan was born in [Hartlepool](/source/Hartlepool) into a footballing family: his father, [Brian Linighan](/source/Brian_Linighan_(footballer%2C_born_1936)), and his brothers [David](/source/David_Linighan) and [Brian](/source/Brian_Linighan) were also professional footballers.[3] He first played for his local side, [Hartlepool United](/source/Hartlepool_United_F.C.), before he signed for [Leeds United](/source/Leeds_United_F.C.) in 1984.[4] He spent two season at [Elland Road](/source/Elland_Road), being part of the team which narrowly missed out on promotion to the First Division in his first season there and then signed for [Oldham Athletic](/source/Oldham_Athletic_A.F.C.).[5]

In March 1988, a 25-year-old Linighan finally arrived on the First Division scene when Oldham sold him to [Norwich City](/source/Norwich_City_F.C.) for £350,000. A tall, imposing [centre back](/source/Centre_back), Linighan became notable for his calm performances in defence for Norwich, who finished fourth in the league and reached the [FA Cup](/source/FA_Cup) semi finals in his first full season with them.

He was then signed by [George Graham](/source/George_Graham_(footballer%2C_born_1944)) for [Arsenal](/source/Arsenal_F.C.) in a £1.2 million deal in July 1990.[6] Linighan had been very reluctant to leave Norwich, but was told by then-chairman Robert Chase that he was being sold.[7]

Linighan mainly played as backup to [England](/source/England_national_football_team) international defenders [Tony Adams](/source/Tony_Adams_(footballer)) and [Steve Bould](/source/Steve_Bould) in his first season, in which Arsenal won the [First Division](/source/Football_League_First_Division).[6] Linighan managed to put in 10 league appearances, which were enough for him to earn a winners medal.[6] His biggest moment for the club came at the end of the [1992–93](/source/1992-93_in_English_football) season. Linighan was victorious as he lifted the [League Cup](/source/Football_League_Cup) as Arsenal beat [Sheffield Wednesday](/source/Sheffield_Wednesday_F.C.) 2–1 in the final at [Wembley](/source/Wembley_Stadium_(1923)).[6] Arsenal again met Wednesday of whom they faced in the final of the [FA Cup](/source/FA_Cup). The final finished 1–1, forcing a replay, which finished a goal apiece after 90 minutes and thus went to [extra time](/source/Extra_time). With 119 minutes gone, Linighan, who was suffering from a broken nose after [Mark Bright](/source/Mark_Bright) had struck him in the face with his elbow, came up for a [corner](/source/Corner_kick) and headed in the winner.[6] Coincidentally it was Bright who Linighan outjumped to score.[7] Thanks to his goal, Arsenal became the first club in English football to win the [Cup Double](/source/Double_(association_football)#Domestic_Cup_Double).[7] His former club, Norwich City, qualified for the [UEFA Cup](/source/UEFA_Cup) as a result of his FA Cup final winning goal, as it meant the European place for the League Cup winner went to the team who had finished third in the [Premier League](/source/FA_Premier_League) instead.[8]

By then, Linighan's place in the Arsenal side was further in doubt, as [Martin Keown](/source/Martin_Keown) was no longer [cup-tied](/source/Cup-tied) after signing for the club earlier that year.[6] Despite this, he stayed on at the club as fourth-choice centre-back. A highlight in his later years at Arsenal was scoring a late equaliser in a 2–2 draw away at [Aston Villa](/source/Aston_Villa) in September 1996.[9]

After more than six years at [Highbury](/source/Arsenal_Stadium), he was sold to Division One promotion chasers [Crystal Palace](/source/Crystal_Palace_F.C.) for £110,000 in January 1997.[5] He helped Palace as they won promotion to the [Premiership](/source/FA_Premier_League) that year as playoff winners.[10] Linighan also in that year became the captain of the Eagles, but was unable to prevent them from being relegated straight back to Division One.[5] He stuck with Palace during the club's financial problems, even after they were forced to loan him to [Queens Park Rangers](/source/Queens_Park_Rangers_F.C.) for the final stages of the [1998–99 season](/source/1998-99_in_English_football) to reduce their wage bill.[5] Linighan returned to the club after his loan spell as captain, and in his 38th year was voted as Crystal Palace's Player of the Year in [1999–2000](/source/1999-2000_in_English_football).[11] After a falling out with new owner [Simon Jordan](/source/Simon_Jordan), he was given a [free transfer](/source/Free_transfer_(soccer)) in the autumn of 2000.[8]

Linighan saw out the rest of the season with [Oxford United](/source/Oxford_United_F.C.), which ended in disappointment as United were relegated to the [Division Three](/source/Football_League_Third_Division).[5] Afterwards he briefly played for non-league [St Albans](/source/St_Albans_City_F.C.), before retiring completely from the game.[8]

## Personal life

After his playing days came to an end, Linighan became the owner of a [plumbing](/source/Plumbing) company.[12]

## Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Other Total Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Hartlepool United 1980–81[13] Fourth Division 6 0 0 0 0 0 ― ― 6 0 1981–82[13] 17 0 3 0 2 0 ― 3[a] 0 25 0 1982–83[13] 45 3 3 0 4 1 ― 1[a] 0 53 4 1983–84[13] 42 1 2 0 2 0 ― 1[a] 1 47 2 Total 110 4 8 0 8 1 ― 5 1 131 6 Leeds United 1984–85[14] Second Division 42 2 1 0 3 0 ― ― 46 2 1985–86[14] 24 1 1 0 3 1 ― 2[b] 0 30 2 Total 66 3 2 0 6 1 ― 2 0 76 4 Norwich ? ? ? Arsenal 1990–91[2] First Division 10 0 4 0 0 0 ― ― 14 0 1991–92[2] 17 0 0 0 2 0 2[c] 1 ― 22 1 1992–93[2] Premier League 21 2 7 1 4 1 ― ― 32 4 1993–94[2] 21 0 0 0 4 0 2[d] 0 1[e] 0 28 0 1994–95[2] 20 2 2 0 2 0 3[d] 0 ― 27 2 1995–96[2] 18 0 1 0 2 0 ― ― 21 0 1996–97[2] 11 1 0 0 0 0 2[f] 0 ― 13 1 Total 119 5 14 1 14 1 9 1 1 0 157 8 Crystal Palace 1996–97[15] First Division 19 2 0 0 ― ― 3[g] 0 22 2 1997–98[16] Premier League 26 0 3 0 2 0 ― ― 31 0 1998–99[17] First Division 20 0 1 0 3 0 ― ― 24 0 1999-00[18] 45 3 1 0 2 0 ― ― 48 3 2000–01[19] 1 0 ― 2 1 ― ― 3 1 Total 111 5 5 0 9 1 ― 3 0 128 5 Queens Park Rangers (loan) 1998–99[17] First Division 7 0 ― ― ― ― 7 0 Oxford United 2000–01[19] Second Division 13 0 2 0 ― ― 0 0 15 0 St Albans City 2001–02[20] Isthmian League Premier Division 4 0 ― ― ― ― 4 0 Career total 430 17 31 1 37 4 9 1 11 1 518 24

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FLT_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FLT_14-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FLT_14-2) Appearances in [Football League Trophy](/source/Football_League_Trophy)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Appearances in [Full Members' Cup](/source/Full_Members'_Cup)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Appearances in [UEFA European Cup](/source/UEFA_European_Cup)/UEFA Champions League

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-UCWC_18-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-UCWC_18-1) Appearances in [UEFA Cup Winners' Cup](/source/UEFA_Cup_Winners'_Cup)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Appearance in [FA Charity Shield](/source/FA_Charity_Shield)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Appearances in [UEFA Cup](/source/UEFA_Cup)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** Appearances in [Football League First Division play-offs](/source/Football_League_First_Division_play-offs)

## Honours

**Arsenal**

- [Football League First Division](/source/Football_League_First_Division): [1990–91](/source/1990%E2%80%9391_Football_League_First_Division)[6]

- [FA Charity Shield](/source/FA_Charity_Shield): [1991](/source/1991_FA_Charity_Shield) (shared)[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

- [FA Cup](/source/FA_Cup): [1992–93](/source/1992%E2%80%9393_FA_Cup)[6]

- [Football League Cup](/source/EFL_Cup): [1992–93](/source/1992%E2%80%9393_Football_League_Cup)[6]

- [European Cup Winners' Cup](/source/UEFA_Cup_Winners'_Cup): [1993–94](/source/1993%E2%80%9394_European_Cup_Winners'_Cup)[6] - Runner-up: [1994–95](/source/1994%E2%80%9395_UEFA_Cup_Winners'_Cup)

**Crystal Palace**

- [Football League First Division play-offs](/source/EFL_Championship_play-offs): [1996–97](/source/1997_Football_League_play-offs#First_Division)[10]

**Individual**

- [Crystal Palace Player of the Year](/source/Crystal_Palace_F.C._Player_of_the_Year): [1999–2000](/source/1999%E2%80%932000_Crystal_Palace_F.C._season)[11]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Andy Linighan"](https://web.archive.org/web/20240608000000/http://barryhugmansfootballers.com/player/11760). *Barry Hugman's Footballers*. Archived from [the original](http://barryhugmansfootballers.com/player/11760) on 8 June 2024. Retrieved 30 September 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-11v11_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-11v11_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-11v11_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-11v11_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-11v11_2-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-11v11_2-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-11v11_2-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-11v11_2-7) ["Andy Linighan"](https://www.11v11.com/players/andy-linighan-1727/). *11v11.com*. Retrieved 30 September 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["New season will begin again minus a Linighan"](http://archive.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/2001/5/11/171217.html). *The Northern Echo*. 11 May 2001. Retrieved 16 November 2020.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [Andy Linighan](https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=4539) at Soccerbase

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ozwhitelufc_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ozwhitelufc_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-ozwhitelufc_5-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-ozwhitelufc_5-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-ozwhitelufc_5-4) ["Leeds United F.C. History"](http://www.ozwhitelufc.net.au/players_profiles/L/LinighanA.php). *www.ozwhitelufc.net.au*. Retrieved 30 September 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Arsenal_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Arsenal_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Arsenal_6-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Arsenal_6-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Arsenal_6-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Arsenal_6-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-Arsenal_6-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-Arsenal_6-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-Arsenal_6-8) [***j***](#cite_ref-Arsenal_6-9) ["Andy Linighan"](https://www.arsenal.com/historic/players/andy-linighan). *Arsenal.com*. Retrieved 1 October 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-LIW_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-LIW_7-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-LIW_7-2) ["Leeds United: My Whites playing days – Linighan INTERVIEW"](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-my-whites-playing-days-linighan-interview-1-3452193/amp). *www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk*. Retrieved 30 September 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FFTN_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FFTN_8-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FFTN_8-2) ["Flown From the Nest – Andy Linighan"](http://www.ex-canaries.co.uk/players/linighan.htm). *www.ex-canaries.co.uk*. Retrieved 30 September 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Ruffled Villa hit panic button"](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/ruffled-villa-hit-panic-button-1362466.html). *The Independent*. 9 September 1996. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/ruffled-villa-hit-panic-button-1362466.html) from the original on 7 May 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-CP_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-CP_10-1) ["Football: Hopkin's late hit has Palace glad all over"](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-hopkins-late-hit-has-palace-glad-all-over-1263790.html). *The Independent*. 27 May 1997. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-hopkins-late-hit-has-palace-glad-all-over-1263790.html) from the original on 7 May 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-CPPOTY_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-CPPOTY_11-1) ["Crystal Palace FC – Player of the Year Winners"](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/club/club-history/player-of-the-year-winners/). *www.cpfc.co.uk*. Retrieved 30 September 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Victoria Plumber"](https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/columnists/backtrack/backtrack/16231644.victoria-plumber/).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-inthemadcrowd_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-inthemadcrowd_13-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-inthemadcrowd_13-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-inthemadcrowd_13-3) ["In The Mad Crowd"](http://www.inthemadcrowd.co.uk/UI/Person.aspx?oid=451). *www.inthemadcrowd.co.uk*. Retrieved 30 September 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_15-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_15-1) ["Leeds United F.C. History"](http://www.ozwhitelufc.net.au/leeds_stats/leeds_united_player_details/L/LinighanA_LUFC.php). *www.ozwhitelufc.net.au*. Retrieved 30 September 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Games played by Andy Linighan in 1996/1997"](https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=4539&season_id=126). *Soccerbase*. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 October 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Games played by Andy Linighan in 1997/1998"](https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=4539&season_id=127). *Soccerbase*. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 October 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Soccerbase9899_24-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Soccerbase9899_24-1) ["Games played by Andy Linighan in 1998/1999"](https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=4539&season_id=128). *Soccerbase*. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 October 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["Games played by Andy Linighan in 1999/2000"](https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=4539&season_id=129). *Soccerbase*. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 October 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Soccerbase0001_26-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Soccerbase0001_26-1) ["Games played by Andy Linighan in 2000/2001"](https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=4539&season_id=130). *Soccerbase*. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 October 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** ["St Albans City F.C. Statistics"](http://saintsstatistics.co.uk/saintsstats/player2.php?id=136&season=8). *saintsstatistics.co.uk*. Retrieved 30 September 2019.

## External links

- [Andy Linighan](https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=4539) at Soccerbase

- [Career information at ex-canaries.co.uk](http://www.ex-canaries.co.uk/players/linighan.htm)

Sporting positions Preceded by Andy Roberts Crystal Palace captain 1997–2000 Succeeded by Neil Ruddock

v t e Crystal Palace F.C. – Player of the Year 1972: McCormick 1973: T. Taylor 1974: P. Taylor 1975: Jeffries 1976: P. Taylor 1977: Sansom 1978: Cannon 1979: Sansom 1980: Hinshelwood 1981: Hinshelwood 1982: Barron 1983: Murphy 1984: Gilbert 1985: Cannon 1986: Wood 1987: Cannon 1988: Thomas 1989: Wright 1990: Bright 1991: Thomas 1992: McGoldrick 1993: Thorn 1994: Coleman 1995: Shaw 1996: Roberts 1997: Hopkin 1998: Edworthy 1999: Mullins 2000: Linighan 2001: Fan 2002: Freedman 2003: Mullins 2004: Johnson 2005: Johnson 2006: Boyce 2007: Cort 2008: Speroni 2009: Speroni 2010: Speroni 2011: Clyne 2012: Parr 2013: Jedinak 2014: Speroni 2015: Dann 2016: Zaha 2017: Zaha 2018: Zaha 2019: Wan-Bissaka 2020: Ayew 2021: Guaita 2022: Gallagher 2023: Doucouré 2024: Mateta 2025: Muñoz 2026: Sarr

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Andy Linighan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Linighan) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Linighan?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.