Joseph Thomas Corrigan (born 18 November 1948) is an English former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper in the Football League for Manchester City, Brighton & Hove Albion, Norwich City and Stoke City as well as the England national team.
Corrigan began his career at Manchester City making his professional debut in 1967. In the 1969–70 season, he established himself as the first choice keeper at Maine Road, taking over from the ageing Harry Dowd. He spent 16 seasons at Manchester City, winning the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and League Cup twice, while also earning nine England caps. He left in 1983 to play for the North American Soccer League's Seattle Sounders, then returned to England for spells with Brighton & Hove Albion, Norwich City and Stoke City. A neck injury forced him to retire in 1985.
Playing career Corrigan joined Manchester City as a youth player in 1966. He made his debut in 1967, in a League Cup match against Blackpool. Corrigan was an understudy to Harry Dowd in City's 1969 FA Cup win. Corrigan then established himself in the first team during the 1969–70 season, and was part of the Manchester City team which won a cup double of the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and the League Cup. He was also a member of the 1976 League Cup winning side. His debut appearance for England came on 28 May 1976 against Italy, the first of a total of 9 caps, and he was part of the England squad for the 1982 FIFA World Cup. He would undoubtedly have played more times for England if his chances had not been limited by Peter Shilton and Ray Clemence. Corrigan also appeared for Manchester City in the 1981 FA Cup final defeat by Tottenham Hotspur where he was named as man-of-the match. In total Corrigan made 592 appearances for Manchester City, a figure beaten only by Alan Oakes, and a club record for a goalkeeper. He also won Manchester City's Player of the Year award three times, a feat matched only by Richard Dunne. He is remembered as one of Manchester City's best goalkeepers along with Frank Swift and Bert Trautmann.
Corrigan was sold in 1983 to American club Seattle Sounders for £30,000. Corrigan stayed in the US only a few months, making 29 appearances before returning to England with Brighton. At the end of his career he also had spells on loan at Stoke City and Norwich.
Coaching career After retiring from football, Joe Corrigan was the Goalkeeping Coach at Liverpool from 1994 until the arrival of Rafael Benítez in 2004. On 21 September 2004, Corrigan joined the coaching team at Chester City but moved to become goalkeeping coach at Stockport County on 5 October 2004. In February 2005, Corrigan joined West Bromwich Albion. Joe Corrigan retired at the end of the 2008–09 season.
In February 2011 Corrigan came out of retirement to join Hull City as goalkeeping coach, replacing Mark Prudhoe, who had been criticised by some Hull supporters for his coaching methods. Corrigan left his coaching role at Hull City in August 2011 after being involved in an unspecified incident with Jimmy Bullard on a pre season trip to Slovenia, the latter being sacked as a result.
International career Born in England, Corrigan is of Irish descent. He played for the England national team 9 times between 1976 and 1982.
Personal life Corrigan was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2025 New Year Honours for services to Charitable Fundraising.
Career statistics Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsManchester City1967–68First Division00002000201968–69First Division40000000401969–70First Division3401070805001970–71First Division3303010804501971–72First Division3502020104001972–73First Division3005010203801973–74First Division1501000101701974–75First Division1501000201801975–76First Division4102090305501976–77First Division4204010204901977–78First Division4202070205301978–79First Division4202050805701979–80First Division4201040004701980–81First Division3708060005101981–82First Division3902040004501982–83First Division250303000310Total47603705203706020Seattle Sounders1983NASL290–––290Brighton & Hove Albion1983–84Second Division360303000420Norwich City (loan)1984–85First Division3000100040Stoke City (loan)1984–85First Division9000000090Career total55304005603706860
International + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsEngland197610197700197810197910198020198120198220Total90
Honours Manchester City Football League Cup: 1969–70, 1975–76 FA Charity Shield: 1972 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1969–70 FA Cup runner-up: 1980–81
Individual Manchester City Player of the Year: 1976, 1978, 1980
References
External links Seattle Sounders stats Career information at ex-canaries.co.uk