It was with much sadness that we learned of the death of Bobby Irvine, who played for both Wellington Town and Telford United in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Bobby, born Robert John Irvine in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland, in 1942, was a goalkeeper who represented his country eight times between 1962 and 1965 whilst playing club football for Linfield and Stoke City.
He brought that pedigree to Shropshire when signing for Wellington from Altrincham in December 1966, and he stayed with the club until 1974, making 345 appearances.
Bobby made himself an integral part of the Lilywhites' side that featured in the first two FA Trophy finals, winning on their second Wembley visit in 1971. He also collected a Southern League Cup winner’s medal in the 1970-71 season.
Aside from his skills between the sticks, Bobby was a larger-than-life personality. Bucks’ historian Maurice Barker, who kindly researched Bobby’s career statistics for this tribute, recalled how Bobby once drank a cup of tea on the field during a match.
He also colluded with the equally legendary Jack Bentley on one occasion, stuffing the ball up Jack’s shirt before Jack took off, up the field, towards the opposition’s goal.
Maurice added in warm tribute that, ”they don’t make them like Bobby any more”.
Bobby’s international honours and status as a Linfield FC legend meant that both the Northern Irish FA marked his passing with a full obituary on their website:
https://www.irishfa.com/news/2026/july/obituary-bobby-irvine-1942-2026
Linfield also observed a minute’s silence ahead of a recent game in memory of Bobby.
Bobby died on Wednesday, 1st July, aged 84, leaving a daughter, Michelle, and two sons, Robert and Alex, along with two grandsons, Michelle’s sons.
Sadly, Bobby was predeceased by his wife, Lynn.
His younger brother Willie, also a Northern Ireland international, who played club football in England, most notably for Burnley and Preston North End, died in July last year, aged 82.
We extend our sympathies and send our warmest best wishes, principally to Bobby’s family and to all those who counted him as a friend or recall him as a colleague who played the game we all love.
Bobby’s contribution to our history means his name will always be recalled with respect and affection, and we will honour him fully when we come together again in the 2026/27 season.
Thank you, Bobby, and rest in peace.
Numquam Obliviscere.
