Robert Fullam (17 September 1895 – 21 July 1971) was an Irish footballer who played as a forward. He was regarded as one of the best known players in the League of Ireland during the 1920s.
Club career
Born in
Ringsend, the son of John and Mary Fullam, he worked as a docker in
Dublin, and played for Shelbourne from 1918 to 1921, winning the
Irish Cup in 1920. He then transferred to Shamrock Rovers and played in the inaugural
FAI Cup final in 1922. In that match, his skirmishes with
Charlie Dowdall of eventual champions St. James's Gate contributed to post-match disturbances involving players and supporters. This led to a ban for the start of the following season. Nevertheless, he finished top scorer with 27 goals in 22 games, as Rovers won their first League title. He transferred to Leeds United for the 1923–24 season, but played only seven games. He returned to Rovers the next season, helping them to the Double, as "give it to Bob" became a Dublin catchphrase. In the 1926 Cup final, he famously pulled out of a goalmouth challenge, sacrificing a goal (and the Cup) to prevent injuring the Fordsons goalkeeper.
In the 1927–28 season, he went to the United States along with Dinny Doyle and several other players from both North and South. Upon their arrival in Philadelphia, they formed their own club which was known as Irish Philadelphia Celtic. After a year, Fullam returned to Dublin, where he renewed his association with Rovers. His time with Rovers was littered with medals. He won the League and the Free State Cup four times, scoring 92 league goals and nine cup goals along with six Inter-League caps. Fullam played alongside his second cousin Billy Behan, who later became a successful scout for Manchester United.
International career
Fullam made his debut for the Irish Free State against Italy in
Turin in 1926; he scored in the return match against Italy in 1927. As he was now 30, and the selectors had a preference for young players, this second cap was his last. He continued to play for Shamrock Rovers into the early 1930s.
Post-playing career
After his playing days, Fullam continued with the
Hoops as a coach, a capacity he held until his departure to London in 1945.
In 1956, Fullam was awarded damages in a libel case taken against the Sunday Dispatch for a story that the journalist admitted making up.[ irishtimes.com/1955/1206][ irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1955/1207][ irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1956/0619]
Fullam died in Slough on 21 July 1971.[Evening Herald page 16 22 July 1971]
Honours
Shelbourne
Shamrock Rovers
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League of Ireland: 1922–23, 1924–25, 1926–27, 1930–31
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FAI Cup: 1925, 1929, 1930, 1931
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League of Ireland Shield: 1924–25, 1926–27, 1931–32
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Leinster Senior Cup: 1923, 1927, 1929, 1930
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Leinster Senior League: 1921–22
Individual
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League of Ireland Top Scorer: 1922–23 (27 goals)
Further reading
External links
