Sam Irving
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Samuel Johnstone Irving | ||
| Date of birth | 28 August 1893 | ||
| Place of birth | Belfast, Ireland | ||
| Date of death | 12 December 1968 (aged 75) | ||
| Place of death | Dundee, Scotland | ||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | ||
| Position(s) |
Right half Inside right | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| Shildon Athletic | |||
| Galashiels United | |||
| Esh Winning | |||
| 1913–1915 | Bristol City | 18 | (4) |
| Blyth Spartans | |||
| Shildon Athletic | |||
| 1920–1926 | Dundee | 158 | (5) |
| 1926–1928 | Cardiff City | 47 | (3) |
| 1928–1932 | Chelsea | 89 | (5) |
| 1932–1933 | Bristol Rovers | 21 | (1) |
| International career | |||
| 1923–1931 | Ireland | 18 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1938–39 | Dundee United | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Samuel Johnstone Irving (28 August 1893 – 12 December 1968) was an Irish professional footballer and manager. Born In Ireland, he was raised in Scotland before playing football in the North of England. He turned professional in 1913 and played in the Football League for Bristol City before World War I. After the war he returned to non-league in England.
In 1920, Irving joined Scottish Football League side Dundee where he quickly established himself in the first team. He spent six years with the club, making over 150 appearances in all competitions, despite suffering persistent knee injuries for several years. He helped the club to two top four finishes and reach the 1925 Scottish Cup Final where they were defeated by Celtic. He joined Football League First Division side Cardiff City in 1926 in a swap deal with Joe Cassidy. In his first year with the club, he helped them win both the FA Cup, becoming the only team from outside England to win the competition, and the Welsh Cup. He also won the 1927 FA Charity Shield the following year, but fell out of favour midway through the 1927–28 season.
He was sold to Second Division side Chelsea where he gained promotion to the First Division in 1930. He signed for Bristol Rovers in 1932 and spent one season with the side before retiring from playing. At international level, Irving made 18 appearances for Ireland between 1923 and 1931, captaining the side on several occasions. After retiring as a player, he was co-manager of Dundee United for the 1938–39 season.