League of Ireland legend Johnny Fullam dies, aged 75

Former Preston North End, Bohemians, Shamrock Rovers and Athlone Town stalwart Johnny Fullam has died, aged 75.

Fullam won a record eight FAI Cup medals, two League of Ireland titles and was inducted into the Shamrock Rovers Hall of Fame in 1991.

The Dubliner made his debut for Preston at the age of 19 in 1959, alongside club legend Tom Finney.

Winning 11 caps

He would go on to play 49 times and score six goals for the Lilywhites before winning 11 caps for the Republic of Ireland between 1960 and 1969.

However it was from 1961 that Fullam made a name for himself in Irish football history. After leaving Preston to move to Shamrock Rovers he made 238 appearances for the then Milltown side, scoring 24 goals.

He won a total of six FAI Cup medals with the Hoops (the last one in 1978) but added a further two cup medals to that tally in his spell with Bohemians (1970-76).

Those cup honours included five in a row in the 60s – he missed out on Rovers’ 1969 six-in-a-row through injury.

Fullam is also one of a number of men to win league titles with both Rovers and Bohs.

After playing 174 times and scoring 13 goals for Bohs, Fullam was lured back to Milltown where John Giles was in the manager's seat.

Fullam would go on to captain Rovers to FAI Cup success and claim his eighth, and final, cup medal in 1978.

He finished his career at Athlone Town where he was an ever-present during the 1979/’80 season.