Name : Roy Keane

Birthplace : Cork, 10/8/1971

Height : 180cm - 5ft 11in

Weight : 76kg - 12st 0lb

Full International : Republic of Ireland (42 caps, 5 goals)

Position : Midfield

Squad Number : 16

Debut : 07.08.1993

Appearances (1993-1999) : 227 - 8 as sub

Goals : 26

After failing to get an apprenticeship with any English League clubs, Roy Keane began his footballing career with Cobh Ramblers before Brian Clough took him to Nottingham Forest as an eighteen-year-old.

His League debut with Nottingham Forest was a real baptism of fire, away to Liverpool, the then champions. At the end of his first full season, Keane made an appearance in the 1991 FA Cup Final, collecting a runners-up medal.

A season later he was again on the losing side at Wembley, with Nottingham Forest losing 1-0 to Manchester United in the League Cup Final.

His luck with Nottingham Forest ran out the following season as Forest got relegated. In the 1993 close season the race for Roy Keane's signature began, with United emerging the victors. They paid a then club and English record fee of £3.75 million.

Whilst he has been at Manchester United, Keane's ball winning skills, drive, determination and late runs into the box to score vital goals have made him an irreplaceable figure in the team's midfield, so much so that he is often compared to the legendary Bryan Robson. He has helped United to win three Premier League Championships, including two Doubles in 1994 and 1996.

At the end of the 1996-97 season, when Eric Cantona retired from professional football, Keane took over the role of team captain.

However, less than two months into the new season, Keane injured his knee and spent a frustrating season on the sidelines. Many pundits felt that towards the end of 1997-98 when United were faltering, it was his presence and determination which the team sorely missed, and in the end was a crucial factor in the Championship ending up at Highbury. Fortunately for Manchester United, Keane fought his way back to full fitness to lead the team out at Wembley in the 1998 pre-season Charity Shield.

First capped by Jack Charlton in 1991, Roy has been an important member of the Republic of Ireland squad. He played for them in the 1994 World Cup Finals in the USA, but was absent with injury when they failed to qualify for the 1998 Finals in France.

Did You Know?

Roy Keane cost Nottingham Forest a mere £10,000 from Cobh Ramblers.

On the day before he was sent off for Ireland against Russia, Keane said, ‘I think I’ve only been booked a couple of times in the last dozen games, which is good for me. I had better not say any more about that or I’ll probably be sent off next week!’

He wore four different kits in his first five matches for United: Blue (v Arsenal), Green and Gold (v Benfica),Black (v Celtic), Red (v Arsenal). All were pre-season friendlies.

In 1992 he won the Zenith Data Systems Cup with Nottingham Forest

 

Roy Keane