A former amateur international, James Patrick Conway was also the holder
of 19 full Republic of Ireland caps by the time he arrived at City in
August 1976. Having joined Fulham from Bohemians in 1966 he stayed ten
years at Craven Cottage, scoring 67 times in 312/4 League games before a
£30,000 fee brought him north to join the current League Cup holders
in readiness for the 1976/77 campaign. More of a midfield player than an
out and out right-winger, Conway's first appearance in a City shirt
came on August 12th in a 2-2 draw at Leicester. He took part in the
first six League games as well as playing against Aston Villa in the
League Cup and in a 1-0 home win against Juventus in the UEFA Cup.
After
that game in September he would make just a further five starts (and
two substitute appearances) all season.
Conway had joined what was
undoubtedly City's strongest side since the Mercer/Allison era in the
previous decade and perhaps not too surprisingly found it difficult to
command a regular first team place. With Power, Hartford and Owen
proving to be the mainstays of the midfield and Kidd, Royle, Tueart and
Barnes combining to make a potent attacking force it is easy to see why
Tony Book's side pushed Liverpool so hard for the Championship.
In the
end they missed out by a single point although it would have been more
had Conway's goal on the final day at Coventry not proved decisive. It
was his one and only goal for City. That same year, 1977, saw him win
his 20th and final cap for his country when he played against Poland in a
goalless draw in Dublin. On January 17th 1978 he moved to the USA and
Portland Timbers for £10,000 where, two years later, he'd play
alongside another former City player, Willie Donachie. After retiring
from playing he stayed on in America as a coach. (Ian Penney - author of The Legends of Manchester City).
Jimmy Conway won 20 caps for the Republic of Ireland. 1966 - 1977.
In 1980, Conway became a player-coach with the Portland Timbers. In 1982, he became the head coach of the Pacific University men's team. In 1988, he became the first collegiate head men's soccer coach in Oregon State University history. He coached the Beavers from 1988 to 1996, and compiled a 97-89-13 record at the helm. In November 2000, he became an assistant coach with the Portland Timbers of the USL First Division.
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Years Team Games (Goals)
1964-1966 Bohemians 44 (10)
1966-1976 Fulham 314 (67)
1976-1978 Manchester City 13 (1)
1978-1980 Portland Timbers 61 (7)
1978 Athlone Town (loan) 5 (0)
1980-1982 Portland Timbers 8 (2) (Indoors League)
Jimmy Conway died on 14th. February 2020 aged 73. He had been suffering
from trauma-induced dementia for some time.