PATSY CORCORAN

Full Name: Patrick Corcoran (also known as Paddy)

Born: 16 June 1893

Came from: Bathgate   Went to: Torquay United

First game: 06 November 1920   Last game: 26 December 1925

Appearances: 198 (198/0)   Goals: 26

Known as both Patsy and Paddy across his various clubs, Corcoran was said to be a tough outside-right who "was afraid of no one". He began his career with Bellshill Athletic, before moving to Mossend Hibernian and then Clyde in 1912. The following year he moved to Ireland with Shelbourne before returning to Clyde.

He then had a series of loan spells from Clyde, initially joining Royal Albert in May 1916. Three months later he moved the short distance to Hamilton Academical and then had spells with Renton, Albion Rovers, Celtic and once again Royal Albert. Leaving Clyde, Corcoran returned to Accies in September 1919 for a full season at Douglas Park. In total he made 43 appearances and scored ten goals for Hamilton before moving to Bathgate.

It was from Bathgate that he moved south to join the Pilgrims in late 1920, as a Bob Jack signing just as the club began life in the Football League. He blossomed into a quality winger with Argyle, despite being very tall for the position and lacking pace. However, he possessed excellent ball control and was not afraid to shoot from all angles. While at Home Park, he was chosen for the Anglo Scots versus the Home Scots International trial match alongside team-mate Fred Craig.

In the summer of 1924, while Argyle were touring South America, Corcoran was nominated to 'miss' a penalty against Boca Juniors, whose fans had already invaded the pitch after their side had taken a 1-0 lead. However, he was ushered aside by the competitive Moses Russell, who promptly dispatched the penalty; the pitch was duly invaded again and the game abandoned at 1-1.

In early January 1926, Corcoran was rushed to a nursing home suffering from appendicitis. He spent two months recovering from an operation and, although he played for the Reserves in March, the previous Christmas fixtures proved to be his final first-team appearances. In April 1926, as part of his recovery, he was awarded a midweek Benefit Match against Everton, which resulted in a 4-3 win for Argyle. The Toffees may have used the match as part of their player recruitment, as they signed Bert Batten shortly afterwards. Corcoran also reportedly travelled to Merseyside for a trial during his recovery but did not make an appearance and no move was forthcoming.

That summer, after five and a half seasons at Home Park, during which he played 198 times and scored 26 goals, Corcoran left the club. His destination is unclear: one source suggests he moved to then Southern League Torquay United, although there is no newspaper evidence to support this. However, in October 1926 he did sign for Luton Town, without making a recorded appearance, before returning to Scotland to re-join Bathgate later that year (four games and one goal). He then made a final move back into the Scottish League with East Stirlingshire during the 1926-27 season, at the age of 34, making two appearances.

Little is known of Corcoran's post-footballing life, but he passed away in Glasgow in 1967, aged 74.