Republic of Ireland honour for Norwich City boss Chris Hughton
Norwich City manager Chris Hughton has been named in the Republic of Ireland's top 50 greatest players of the last half a century.
The 54-year-old Canaries' boss earned 53 international caps for the Republic between 1979 and 1991, scoring one goal and making a lasting impression on Irish football.
So much so, that Hughton was listed as 34th in the chart compiled by the Irish Independent – ahead of the likes of Tony Cascarino, Kenny Cunningham and Kevin Kilbane.
Hughton was paid a glowing tribute by the selection panel at Tuesday's unveiling.
The Norwich boss was described as 'a dignified and reliable servant to the jersey…a wonderful professional, dedicated, composed, a good tackler with impressive balance, who was able to raid forward when the opportunity arose but never neglected the basic duty of defending'.
Qualifying through his Limerick-born mother, Londoner Hughton's debut in a friendly against the USA at Dalymount Park made him the first black player to represent the Republic – and while there was plenty of support from his own fans, Hughton did have to cope with racism from the terraces at times.
The former Tottenham full-back played a key defensive role as Ireland made the finals of the 1988 European Championships in Germany, where Ireland faced up to the USSR, England and the Netherlands.
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He also make the Republic's travelling party to Italy for the 1990 World Cup, where Hughton ultimately had to play second fiddle to a 21-year-old Steve Staunton who went on to make Ireland's left-back berth his own. The panel added: 'Throughout his playing career spent mostly with Tottenham, Chris exuded dignity, reliability and integrity on and off the pitch, just as he does today in his role as manager of Norwich City – although that said, Hughton was no pushover.
'He struck a nice balance between the hard-nosed competitive pragmatism required of a top pro, and decency and dedication.'
Former Ipswich boss Roy Keane is more favourably remembered for his playing days, and he came out on top the top-50 chart,.
Johnny Giles, Paul McGrath, Liam Brady and Ronnie Whelan completed the top five.
Former Norwich City midfielder Andy Towsend was 25. Former Ipswich captain Matt Holland was 44th in the list, with current Town boss Mick McCarthy 23rd.
• THE TOP 50
1 Roy Keane
2 Johnny Giles
3 Paul McGrath
4 Liam Brady
5 Ronnie Whelan
6 Denis Irwin
7 Frank Stapleton
8 Robbie Keane
9 Tony Dunne
10 Kevin Moran
11 Shay Given
12 Damien Duff
13 Mark Lawrenson
14 David O'Leary
15 Charlie Hurley
16 Ray Houghton
17 Steve Heighway
18 Noel Cantwell
19 Don Givens
20 Packie Bonner
21 John O'Shea
22 Richard Dunne
23 Mick McCarthy
24 Niall Quinn
25 Andy Townsend
26 Alan Kelly senior
27 John Aldridge
28 Steve Staunton
29 Kevin Sheedy
30 Steve Finnan
31 Jim Beglin
32 Paddy Mulligan
33 Shay Brennan
34 CHRIS HUGHTON
35 Chris Morris
36 Tony Galvin
37 Tony Cascarino
38 Kenny Cunningham
39 Kevin Kilbane
40 Jimmy Holmes
41 Gary Kelly
42 Gerry Daly
43 Stephen Carr
44 Matt Holland
45 John Sheridan
46 Joe Kinnear
47 Ray Treacy
48 Terry Conroy
49 Frank O'Neill
50 Mick Meagan
