# Packie Bonner

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**Patrick Joseph Bonner** (born 24 May 1960) is an Irish retired [footballer](/source/Association_football) and coach. Commonly known as **Pat** or **Packie**, he played as a [goalkeeper](/source/Goalkeeper_(association_football)) and spent his entire senior career at Scottish club [Celtic](/source/Celtic_F.C.).

He earned 80 [caps](/source/Cap_(football)) for the [Republic of Ireland](/source/Republic_of_Ireland_national_football_team) after making his debut on his 21st birthday. He played in two European Championships and two World Cups. He also played [Gaelic football](/source/Gaelic_football) for his native [Donegal county team](/source/Donegal_county_football_team).

## Gaelic football

Bonner played [Gaelic football](/source/Gaelic_football) for the [Donegal county team](/source/Donegal_county_football_team) at minor and senior level in the 1970s. He played a number of games in Ireland's [National Football League](/source/National_Football_League_(Ireland)) (NFL).

## Club career

### Early career

He began his soccer career in the late 1970s with his local youth side, [Keadue Rovers](/source/Keadue_Rovers_F.C.).[3] When he was 16 he had several trials with [Leicester City](/source/Leicester_City_F.C.)[4] and kept goal for them in the [FA Youth Cup](/source/FA_Youth_Cup).

In August 1977, Bonner had agreed a deal to sign for [League of Ireland](/source/League_of_Ireland) side [Finn Harps](/source/Finn_Harps_F.C.) on a 6-month contract after impressing in a guest appearance in a friendly against English team [Stoke City F.C.](/source/Stoke_City_F.C.) An agreement was put in place, with then Harps manager, Eunan "Busty" Blake, that if a bigger club came in, Bonner would be allowed to leave and Blake himself would personally tear up his contract.[5] He was subsequently spotted by [Sean Fallon](/source/Sean_Fallon_(footballer)), who was scouting in Ireland for [Celtic](/source/Celtic_F.C.), and invited to Glasgow for a trial.[6] True to his word, Blake tore up Bonner's Finn Harps contract, without him ever making a competitive appearance for the club, and Bonner signed for Celtic on 14 May 1978.

### Celtic

Bonner made 483 league appearances with Celtic, and is the goalkeeper with the most appearances in the club's history, with 646 overall.[7][8] With Celtic he won four League Championships, three [Scottish Cups](/source/Scottish_Cup) and a [League Cup](/source/Scottish_League_Cup). He was released by manager [Lou Macari](/source/Lou_Macari) in 1994, but was re-signed by [Tommy Burns](/source/Tommy_Burns_(footballer)) after Macari was sacked. His last appearance for Celtic was winning the 1995 Scottish Cup final under Burns. After the Scottish Cup victory over [Airdrie](/source/Airdrieonians_F.C._(1878)),[9] Bonner took on the role of player-coach and finally left the club in 1998 to work as a coach alongside his former teammate Burns.

## International career

Bonner made his international debut for the [Republic of Ireland](/source/Republic_of_Ireland_national_football_team) on his 21st birthday in a [friendly](/source/Exhibition_game#Association_football) against [Poland](/source/Poland_national_football_team) on 24 May 1981.[citation needed]

For the remainder of the [Eoin Hand](/source/Eoin_Hand) managerial era, Bolton Wanderers' [Jim McDonagh](/source/Jim_McDonagh) remained Ireland's first choice goalkeeper. By the time of the appointment of [Jack Charlton](/source/Jack_Charlton) in March 1986, Bonner was already claiming the number one position. Bonner claimed his 75th international cap on his 34th birthday in a 1–0 win over [Bolivia](/source/Bolivia_national_football_team) at [Lansdowne Road](/source/Lansdowne_Road) which at the time equalled the Republic of Ireland record held by [Liam Brady](/source/Liam_Brady).

### Euro 1988

Bonner played in seven of Ireland's eight games in the qualifying round of [UEFA Euro 1988](/source/UEFA_Euro_1988). Despite some good results, including a 1–0 win away to [Scotland](/source/Scotland_national_football_team), a 2–0 win at home to [Bulgaria](/source/Bulgaria_national_football_team) and a 2–2 draw away to [World Cup](/source/1986_FIFA_World_Cup) bronze medalists [Belgium](/source/Belgium_national_football_team), Ireland looked to be losing out on goal difference to Bulgaria. Bulgaria needed only a draw against Scotland in their last match to progress. However, a last-minute winning goal for Scotland gave Ireland, and Bonner, a first appearance at the [UEFA European Championship](/source/UEFA_European_Championship).

Bonner played in all of Ireland's games at Euro 88, including the 1–0 victory over [England](/source/England_national_football_team) in Stuttgart.[10] Ireland scored early and dominated in the first half, missing several chances to put the game beyond England. However, in the second half, Bonner produced a number of outstanding saves to keep Ireland in the lead, most notably from [Gary Lineker](/source/Gary_Lineker), and was named Man of the Match. It was Bonner's eighth consecutive clean sheet for Ireland. In the second game, Ireland drew 1–1 with the [Soviet Union](/source/Soviet_Union_national_football_team). Ireland narrowly missed out on a semi-final appearance, conceding a goal in the dying minutes of their final group match against eventual champions, the [Netherlands](/source/Netherlands_national_football_team).[11][12]

### 1990 World Cup

Bonner missed the opening [qualifying](/source/1990_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_(UEFA)) game for the [1990 FIFA World Cup](/source/1990_FIFA_World_Cup) away to [Northern Ireland](/source/Northern_Ireland_national_football_team) due to a back injury.[13] He played in the remaining seven fixtures, with the only goals being conceded throughout the qualifying campaign coming in a 0–2 loss in [Spain](/source/Spain_national_football_team).[13] Indeed, only an excellent performance by Bonner in that game saved Ireland from a heavier defeat.[13] Ireland went on to beat Spain 1–0 in the return fixture at Lansdowne Road, and in November 1989 clinched qualification in the final fixture with a 2–0 win away over [Malta](/source/Malta_national_football_team).[13]

It was the first time the Republic of Ireland had qualified for the World Cup, and Bonner would make his mark on the world stage with two memorable moments that live long in Irish sporting folklore.[14] The first was in Ireland's very first World Cup finals game, against England. With Ireland 1–0 down late in the game, Bonner delivered a determined clearance all the way to the English penalty area, setting up [Kevin Sheedy](/source/Kevin_Sheedy_(Irish_footballer))'s equaliser. While Bonner's role in the goal itself was minimal, the look of sheer determination on his face has been remembered as one of the defining moments of Ireland's inaugural appearance in the tournament. After a disappointing 0–0 draw with [Egypt](/source/Egypt_national_football_team) in the second game, Ireland needed at least a draw with the Netherlands to ensure passage to the next round. With Ireland 1–0 down midway through the second half, Bonner once again delivered a clearance all the way to the Dutch penalty area, which caused enough confusion to allow [Niall Quinn](/source/Niall_Quinn) to slot in the equaliser and send Ireland to the knockout stage. Ireland's second round fixture against [Romania](/source/Romania_national_football_team) went to a penalty shootout, where the score was tied at 4–4 with one kick remaining for each team. Bonner made a simple save from a poorly taken penalty by [Daniel Timofte](/source/Daniel_Timofte), setting up [David O'Leary](/source/David_O'Leary) to score the winning Irish kick.[15] In the quarter-final against [Italy](/source/Italy_national_football_team), Ireland lost 1–0 as Bonner saved a powerful shot from [Roberto Donadoni](/source/Roberto_Donadoni), but was knocked off balance enough to allow [Salvatore Schillaci](/source/Salvatore_Schillaci) to snatch the winning goal and send Ireland home.[16] Bonner arrived home in Dublin to a hero's welcome the following day.

Bonner's penalty save has been remembered by FIFA as one of the great moments of that World Cup. In an article entitled "Bonner's Moment in Time", Bonner states, "It really wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that that one save changed my life forever, certainly in terms of recognition."

### Euro 1992

Bonner remained Ireland's number one choice goalkeeper for [UEFA Euro 1992](/source/UEFA_Euro_1992), where Ireland was drawn against Poland, [Turkey](/source/Turkey_national_football_team) and England in the [qualifying round](/source/UEFA_Euro_1992_qualification). Ireland lost out to England in controversial circumstances. With Ireland one point behind England and tied with Poland with two games left, it was debated in the media if a draw with Poland would be better than a win. Assuming England beat Turkey on the same day, a draw left Ireland and Poland with six points each with England on eight points and all three teams having one remaining game. With England playing Poland in the last game, it meant that Poland could still qualify for the tournament by beating England and hoping Ireland failed to beat Turkey in their last game. If Poland did beat England, Ireland could then qualify on goal difference by beating Turkey. However, if instead, Ireland beat Poland in the second-last game, Poland was out of the tournament. Ireland would have seven points to England's eight, meaning that Ireland would need to beat Turkey and hope that Poland, without the prospect of qualification, could still manage a draw with England. With Ireland leading Poland 3–1 with minutes to go, Ireland conceded two late goals and the game finished 3–3.[17]

In those final games Poland did hold England to a draw (1–1) and Ireland did beat Turkey 3–1, but England qualified with 9 points to Ireland's 8 points.

### 1994 World Cup

Bonner represented Ireland in all 12 qualifying matches for the [1994 FIFA World Cup](/source/1994_FIFA_World_Cup). Ireland seemed well on the way to qualification after seven wins and three draws in the opening ten games. With each side having only two games remaining, Ireland led the group on 18 points, ahead of [Denmark](/source/Denmark_national_football_team) on 16, with Spain in third place on 15 points. Ireland needed only a draw at Lansdowne Road against Spain in the second last game to guarantee qualification, while a win would virtually guarantee top position in the group. However, Ireland conceded three goals in a 15-minute spell in the first half, and despite a late consolation goal, subsequently needed to beat Northern Ireland in the last game to guarantee a place in the finals. A draw would mean Ireland needed the Spain-Denmark game, happening simultaneously, to finish in a win for one of the two sides. Ireland drew 1–1 with Northern Ireland but qualified ahead of Denmark by virtue of having scored more goals (they were level on goal difference), as Denmark lost 1–0 to Spain.

In the Finals, Ireland beat Italy 1–0[18] in their opening match. The euphoria was elevated by the fact that Ireland had also beaten Germany[19] and the Netherlands in warm-up games. However, from that point on, the tournament was a disappointment for Ireland and especially Bonner. A 2–1 defeat at the hands of [Mexico](/source/Mexico_national_football_team) and a 0–0 draw with [Norway](/source/Norway_national_football_team) were just enough for Ireland to move into round two on the strength of their win over Italy. A 2–0 defeat to the Netherlands[20] ended Ireland's tournament, and was a low point for Bonner. With Ireland already 1–0 down late in the first half, a long-distance effort from [Wim Jonk](/source/Wim_Jonk) should have been an easy save. However, Bonner fumbled the shot and it dribbled into the net. Ireland never recovered and was eliminated from the tournament.

### Euro 1996 qualification campaign

Bonner struggled to maintain his place in the Ireland squad during the [UEFA Euro 1996](/source/UEFA_Euro_1996) qualification campaign, playing only one match, as captain, in a 4–0 win over [Liechtenstein](/source/Liechtenstein_national_football_team) at [Lansdowne Road](/source/Lansdowne_Road). [Alan Kelly](/source/Alan_Kelly_Jr.) played all of Ireland's other qualification matches. Ireland were eliminated 2–0 by the Netherlands in a playoff.

### Legacy

Bonner became the Republic of Ireland's most capped goalkeeper with 80 appearances for his country. He held this record until it was surpassed in 2007 by fellow Donegal native [Shay Given](/source/Shay_Given) who, by the end of 2011, had achieved 120 caps.

### Coaching role

On 2 February 2003, following the promotion of [Brian Kerr](/source/Brian_Kerr_(Irish_football_manager)) to the position of [Republic of Ireland](/source/Republic_of_Ireland_national_football_team) team manager, Bonner was named as technical director of the [Football Association of Ireland](/source/Football_Association_of_Ireland) (FAI). He previously held the role of the senior squad's goalkeeping coach in the organisation. In addition, he has worked as a football presenter with [TV3](/source/TV3_(Ireland)).

## Personal life

Bonner is married to Ann and has two children.[21] His son Andrew was also a footballer who played as a striker for the [Republic of Ireland youth teams](/source/Republic_of_Ireland_national_under-18_football_team)[22] and in the [Scottish Junior leagues](/source/Scottish_Junior_Football_Association) at club level, and was later an amateur distance runner.[23]

His twin brother Denis played football in Ireland for [Galway United](/source/Galway_United_F.C.) and [Finn Harps](/source/Finn_Harps_F.C.). He also has five sisters.[21]

## Career statistics

### International

Republic of Ireland Year Apps Goals 1981 1 0 1982 1 0 1983 1 0 1984 2 0 1985 4 0 1986 5 0 1987 6 0 1988 7 0 1989 8 0 1990 11 0 1991 7 0 1992 7 0 1993 9 0 1994 9 0 1995 0 0 1996 2 0 Total 80 0

## Honours

**Celtic**

- [Scottish Premier Division](/source/Scottish_Football_League_Premier_Division) (5): [1978–79](/source/1978%E2%80%9379_Scottish_Premier_Division), [1980–81](/source/1980%E2%80%9381_Scottish_Premier_Division), [1981–82](/source/1981%E2%80%9382_Scottish_Premier_Division), [1985–86](/source/1985%E2%80%9386_Scottish_Premier_Division), [1987–88](/source/1987%E2%80%9388_Scottish_Premier_Division)
- [Scottish Cup](/source/Scottish_Cup) (5): [1979–80](/source/1979%E2%80%9380_Scottish_Cup), [1984–85](/source/1984%E2%80%9385_Scottish_Cup), [1987–88](/source/1987%E2%80%9388_Scottish_Cup), [1988–89](/source/1988%E2%80%9389_Scottish_Cup), [1994–95](/source/1994%E2%80%9395_Scottish_Cup)
- [Scottish League Cup](/source/Scottish_League_Cup) (2): [1982–83](/source/1982%E2%80%9383_Scottish_League_Cup), [1997–98](/source/1997%E2%80%9398_Scottish_League_Cup)

**Individual**

- [Ballon d'Or](/source/Ballon_d'Or): [1989](/source/1989_Ballon_d'Or) (17th place)

## See also

- [List of people on the postage stamps of Ireland](/source/List_of_people_on_the_postage_stamps_of_Ireland)
- [List of one-club men in association football](/source/List_of_one-club_men_in_association_football)

## References

1. ["Celtic Player Pat Bonner Details"](http://www.fitbastats.com/celtic/player.php?playerid=2736). *fitbastats.com*

1. ["From the archives: Centenary match"](https://spfl.co.uk/news/from-the-archives-18-august-1990). [Scottish Professional Football League](/source/Scottish_Professional_Football_League). 18 August 2016. Retrieved 29 October 2019.

1. ["Turtle Bunbury"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140221222819/http://www.turtlebunbury.com/interviews/interviews_ireland/sporting%20legends/interviews_sports_packie_bonner.html). *turtlebunbury.com*. 2 November 2021. Archived from [the original](http://www.turtlebunbury.com/interviews/interviews_ireland/sporting%20legends/interviews_sports_packie_bonner.html) on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 9 February 2014.

1. ["Celtic Online – Packie Bonner"](https://web.archive.org/web/20040916161104/http://www.cfconline.co.uk/old/club_info/team_pics/biographies/bonner.htm). Archived from [the original](http://www.cfconline.co.uk/old/club_info/team_pics/biographies/bonner.htm) on 16 September 2004. Retrieved 24 June 2008.

1. Bonner, Packie (October 2015). [*The Last Line: My Autobiography*](https://books.google.com/books?id=3SMrCQAAQBAJ&q=signed+for+finn+harps+before+celtic+packie+bonner&pg=PT76). Random House. ISBN 9781473528611.

1. ["'It's magic!' says Pat Bonner as Celtic dream comes true"](https://web.archive.org/web/20151208042055/http://image.wikifoundry.com/image/1/g4SMILWD0p33R9vkacxhvQ411202/GW972H1296). *Sunday Independent*. 28 September 1980. Archived from [the original](http://image.wikifoundry.com/image/1/g4SMILWD0p33R9vkacxhvQ411202/GW972H1296) on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 10 February 2014.

1. ["All Time Records Celtic"](https://www.fitbastats.com/celtic/player_records_overall.php). *FitbaStats*. Retrieved 10 January 2024.

1. ["Celtic's one club men – No.3 – Pat Bonner"](http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/celtics-one-club-men-no-3-pat-bonner/). *Celtic Quick News*. 17 March 2015. Retrieved 28 September 2015.

1. ["Archive: Rep of Ireland 1–0 England – Euro 88"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2008/7429395.stm). BBC News. 31 May 2008.

1. ["In Pictures: Ireland at Euro '88"](http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/euro2008/2008/0604/euro88.html). *RTÉ News*. 4 June 2008.[dead link]

1. Smith, Aidan (12 June 2015). ["Interview: Pat Bonner recalls Italia 90 heroics"](http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/latest/interview-pat-bonner-recalls-italia-90-heroics-1-3801212). *The Scotsman*. Retrieved 28 September 2015.

1. ["The road to Italia '90"](http://www.dundalkfc.com/history/irish-football-time-capsule/the-road-to-italia-90/). Dundalk Football Club. Retrieved 10 February 2014.

1. ["Bonner's moment in time"](https://web.archive.org/web/20131227072515/http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/players/do-you-remember/newsid=1068176/index.html). FIFA. Archived from [the original](https://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/players/do-you-remember/newsid=1068176/index.html) on 27 December 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2014.

1. ["RTÉ.ie Radio1: Irelands Soccer Top 20"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080506093711/http://www.rte.ie/radio1/soccertop20/1035744.html). *[RTÉ.ie](/source/RT%C3%89.ie)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.rte.ie/radio1/soccertop20/1035744.html) on 6 May 2008. Retrieved 26 June 2007. Profile of Packie Bonner

1. ["1990: Schillaci ends Irish odyssey"](https://www.theguardian.com/observer/irelandfootball/story/0,,586461,00.html). *The Guardian*

1. ["Irish Football : Republic of Ireland Euro 1992 Qualifying Campaign : Group 7 : England : Poland : Turkey"](http://www.soccer-ireland.com/irish-qualifying-campaigns/euro-1992.htm). *soccer-ireland.com*. 7 January 2023.

1. ["Victory over Italy in USA '94"](https://www.theguardian.com/observer/irelandfootball/story/0,,587032,00.html). *The Guardian*

1. [Hanover 1994: the day Ireland went to Germany and won](https://www.the42.ie/germany-republic-of-ireland-1994-1721097-Oct2015/), Eoin O'Callaghan, *The 42*, 7 October 2015

1. [\[1\]](https://web.archive.org/web/20071014125910/http://fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition=84/results/matches/match=3089/report.html) FIFA.com]

1. [Packie Bonner: 'I make no bones about it, I cried myself to sleep'](https://www.independent.ie/regionals/herald/packie-bonner-i-make-no-bones-about-it-i-cried-myself-to-sleep/31395512.html), [The Herald (Ireland)](/source/The_Herald_(Ireland)), 22 July 2015

1. [Bonner Mark Two makes Irish debut](https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/bonner-mark-two-makes-irish-debut-26039253.html), Irish Independent, 28 August 2002

1. [Andrew Bonner](https://www.thepowerof10.info/athletes/profile.aspx?athleteid=795607), Power of 10

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