Paddy Sloan

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Joshua Walter Sloan (commonly known as Paddy Sloan) (April 30, 1921 - January 1993, born in Lurgan, Northern Ireland) was a professional footballer in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s playing for several clubs in Europe. As an international, he also played for both Ireland teams - the IFA XI and the FAI XI. Sloan would later coach in England and Australia.

1 War time
2 Serie A
3 Coaching Career
4 External links and references

[edit] War time

Sloan began his career at Manchester United but moved to Tranmere Rovers at the age of 19 without having made a league appearance for United. At the outbreak of World War II Sloan joined the RAF and was stationed in Canada, his football career stalled. He did however play for Tranmere Rovers and Manchester United in many war time games. After the war Sloan signed for Arsenal in 1946. He made his debut against Wolves on August 31, 1946 and was a regular in the Arsenal side, playing 27 league games, usually at wing-half (having initially joined the club as a forward).

However the following season (1947-48), he lost his place early on after the Gunners signed Archie Macaulay, and left the club for Sheffield United in February 1948; he played 35 games in total for Arsenal, scoring one goal. However, it was during his spell at Arsenal that saw Sloan represent both the IFA XI and the FAI XI. Despite his long career, Sloan would win only a total of three caps.

[edit] Serie A

After a brief spell with Sheffield United in 1948, Sloan became the first Irishman to play Serie A football when he joined Brescia. In a four year spell in Italy Sloan would play for A.C. Milan, Torino and Udinese before returning to Brescia. In 1951 he returned to England with Norwich City and within a year was playing non league football with Peterborough United.

[edit] Coaching Career

Sloan's coaching carrerr began with the Maltese club Rabat F.C. True to form he only lasted one season and soon began coaching several non league sides in England. In 1964 Sloan managed South Melbourne Hellas in Australia, winning the State League title in his first season, before managing Juventus in the Victorian State League. Sloan died of natural causes in 1993.