Johnny Gavin RIP

kensutz

Former Republic of Ireland International Johnny Gavin died today aged 79.

Norwich City's all-time record goalscorer, Johnny Gavin, has died at the age of 79.

The Republic of Ireland international outside-right scored 132 goals in 338 games in two spells with the Canaries between 1949 and 1958.

Born in Limerick and signed for just £1,500, Gavin scored 79 goals in 221 games in his first stint with City before joining Tottenham in 1954, where he scored 15 times in 32 games.

He returned to Carrow Road a year later in a part exchange deal that took centre-half Maurice Norman to Spurs, adding a further 53 goals in 117 appearances on his return, later moving to Watford and Crystal Palace.

Gavin scored four hat-tricks for City and played a part in two of their greatest FA Cup upsets - the 3-1 win over Liverpool at Carrow Road in 1951 and the 2-1 victory over Arsenal at Highbury in 1954.

After his playing days, he had spells as a publican and a painter and decorator.

He returned to Carrow Road from his Cambridge home in later years for several players' reunions and was included in the club's Hall of Fame.

The Canaries will wear black armbands for the next home game against Sheffield Wednesday on September 29, which will be preceded by a minute's applause.

shane86

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Gavin_%28footballer%29

For whatever reason he only got 7 games for us.

Still, great story to read, have to be honest never heard of him before this but rip regardless, very impressive goalscoring tally for a winger especially, seems to have been a legend. Great gesture re the applause and armbands before the next match.

jameshayes

great player, only seen him on old clips..

redspider

I hadnt ever heard of Johnny Gavin, but then he was a good bit before my time. He sounded like he had a good career for those days.

There must be many Irish players like this who have drifted below the 'modern radar'. But didnt a lot of them go to a re-union that was organised last year for Irish ex-Internationals? People do give out a lot about the FAI and I do too, but that was one decent thing they did. I guess those that didnt make the international scene dont even have that. I wonder how many there are .....

Redspider

kensutz

Johnny Gavin turned out to be top scorer for us by scoring most of his goals as a winger and with his head. From what I heard about him he was an awesome player in his time and for £1500 he was a bargain.